As Fall Semester surpassed its midpoint and students supplemented their study schedules with a Homecoming celebration during the weekend, Ohio gave them another reason to smile Sunday by breaking into the Associated Press Top 25.
The Bobcats received 104 votes from sports writers and broadcasters, an increase from their previous high of 79, to secure the No. 25 slot. The ranking was Ohio’s first breakthrough into the Top 25 since 1968.
“I couldn’t be more proud of my teammates and our coaches,” said redshirt junior running back Ryan Boykin. “I am so happy we are at the point we are at right now, and hopefully it continues.”
Now, if ever, is an opportune time for the Bobcats to have a bye week. The Bobcats (7-0, 3-0 Mid-American Conference) have experienced a slew of detrimental injuries and that key players need to get healthy.
Ohio coach Frank Solich said redshirt senior safety Gerald Moore, who confined to the sidelines Saturday, might return to bolster the Bobcats’ secondary against Miami in week nine.
“We won’t get a lot of guys back — maybe Gerald Moore,” Solich said. “I am hoping we will get him back. The good thing is I don’t think we have anybody with any serious injury in this ball game (against Akron) that’s going to be eliminated from playing when we get started with our next ball games.”
The Bobcats’ practice plan for the upcoming week is relatively light, as they will begin off-field workouts Wednesday before coming back for full-scale practices later in the week.
“They deserve a rest,” Solich said. “The training room will be open for anyone that’s banged up to come in and get treatment, but other than that, we don’t want to see them.”
Solich’s sentiment rings especially true for Ohio’s running backs, which racked up 203 yards on the ground Saturday and have carried a hefty workload all season. Redshirt junior Beau Blankenship has 951 rushing yards on the year, and Boykin has run for three touchdowns in two games since returning from a hamstring injury he sustained against Penn State.
The Bobcats’ bye week will help improve their health and will help them regroup for their remaining schedule.
Ohio will face an opposing offense led by Miami redshirt senior quarterback Zac Dysert, who passes for an average of 273 yards per contest, good for third in the MAC.
“Going into a rivalry game against a good team in Miami, it’s huge that we have the confidence that we have,” redshirt junior quarterback Tyler Tettleton said.
Ohio’s next contest is two weeks away, but the Bobcats can rest assured that, with their Top 25 ranking, they will have a bigger target than ever on their backs for the rest of the season.
nr225008@ohiou.edu
