One word summed up coach Frank Solich's thoughts on Ohio's special teams play Saturday: horrific.
In the Bobcats' 20-13 loss to Toledo, the unit turned the ball over twice. LaVon Brazill and Travis Carrie both fumbled punt returns, one of which Toledo recovered.
The Bobcats muffed another kickoff that resulted in starting field position at their own 10-yard line.
(Saturday was) maybe the worst I've been associated with in a while
Solich said. There were just way too many breakdowns on special teams.
Usually, special teams has been a strength for us. (Saturday) was one of the few times I can say that's happened to us.
In his return to the lineup Brazill had six receptions for 25 yards. But the All-American returner did not return a punt as the fumble occurred on the only time Toledo kicked to him.
I was kind of frustrated back there because they wouldn't punt me the ball, Brazill said. I wanted to put the ball in my hands and make a play but, as you can see, they were avoiding me.
Solich said the kicking game was effective. Matt Weller hit two field goals
including one from 49 yards away.
I thought Matt hit his field goals really very well, Solich said.
Defense stands tall
Ohio's defense contained the Rockets for much of the contest Saturday.
The Bobcats allowed only 212 yards even though Toledo possessed the ball for nine minutes more than Ohio. Despite being on the field for an extended amount of time
linebacker Noah Keller said the defense didn't get tired.
We've got enough depth where taking a lot of snaps for a lot of guys out there isn't going to be a problem, Keller said. That's one thing we have this year that I wouldn't necessarily say we had last year.
It took the Rockets 48 carries to amass 102 yards rushing (an average of 2.1 yards per carry) and the Bobcats intercepted quarterback Austin Dantin twice.
Almost all of Toledo's points came after the Rockets started a drive on Ohio's side of the field. The exception was a 14-play
84-yard drive that took 7:50 off the clock in the third and fourth quarter. The series led to the eventual game-winning touchdown.
On that drive
Toledo converted two third-down attempts and another on fourth down.
I think the defense played decent today besides that one drive, Keller said. But that obviously made the difference.
Bates injury update
Quarterback Phil Bates did not play against the Rockets. The redshirt junior missed the game because of the left thumb injury he sustained against Wofford.
Solich said Bates does not have ligament damage and that the quarterback is close to returning.
The swelling has gone down some and it's not as tender
so he'll be able to start practicing most likely sometime next week and hopefully the early part of the week.
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