Unpredictability can be the key to a good offense. When the opponent doesn't know what to expect, the offense usually succeeds.
But when the offense doesn't have a consistent game plan, it becomes the unit that struggles.
Through the past three games, the Bobcats have resembled the latter.
Ohio's 224 offensive yards per game average is the second worst in the Football Bowl Subdivision. At his weekly news conference Monday, coach Frank Solich said the group needs to find its identity.
We're in a little bit of a dilemma
Solich said. We need to identify what we think we can do the best whether that's heavy pass and try to mix in the run or heavy run and try to mix in the pass.
We got to make a decision and stick with it and start to make some things work.
Solich said the ineffectiveness of the running game and turnovers from the team's quarterbacks have added to the dilemma.
Two interceptions in each of the last two games doesn't necessarily lead you to want to throw the ball more, Solich said. Not being able to average what we want to average on the ground doesn't lead you to want to run the ball.
The Bobcats are averaging only 3.3 yards per carry. After rushing for 230 yards in the season-opening 33-10 win against Wofford the Bobcats have gained only 122 yards on the ground.
Ohio's leading rusher has come from an unlikely source. Quarterback Phil Bates leads the team with 101 rushing yards
despite missing the Toledo game.
For me, it's definitely frustrating, said running back Vince Davidson. I definitely thought, since we had a nice running game the first game, that we were going to keep going.
I feel like we're running a lot of things and we're just not executing
Davidson said. In order to execute
we need to simplify the offense.
But quarterback Boo Jackson said there is reason to be optimistic, as the offense has been working hard to improve all week during practice.
We definitely have an explosive offense. We definitely can get the ball down the field
Jackson said. All we need is that one big play. We're searching for it.
I think we have one of those plays that you're going to see this week that's going to happen and everybody's going to be excited.",",2,Sports,Vince Nairn,32377a.jpg,Ohio running back Dallas Brown rushes through Ohio State defenders Sept.18 at Ohio Stadium. Ohio lost to Ohio State 43-7. (Alex Goodlett | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER),",",",","
32376,2010-09-24 01:54:00,Athens County resident accused of murdering wife,An 83-year-old Athens County man was arraigned on murder charges Thursday after he allegedly shot his wife in the head
according to court documents.,An 83-year-old Athens County man was arraigned on murder charges Thursday after he allegedly shot his wife in the head
according to court documents.
David Tilley
of Guysville
Ohio
