At the close of a lengthy fall camp, with Ohio’s season opener against Hampton fast approaching, coach Frank Solich addressed media members Monday with insight on the quarterback battle, injuries, defensive outlook and more.
Excitement, anticipation and expectations are high for the Bobcats, who were picked to repeat as East division champions in the Mid-American Conference preseason poll.
Split situations
After last Wednesday's team scrimmage, Solich confirmed that redshirt sophomore Quinton Maxwell would start against Hampton. Maxwell, who appeared in nine games (six starts) last season, was selected over sophomore Nathan Rourke, a junior college transfer.
But Solich reiterated Monday that both quarterbacks had solid showings in camp and will see time against the Pirates. As for how that time will be divided, he said there is no set number of snaps or possessions for either player.
Ohio has a running back committee in the works, too. Redshirt junior A.J. Ouellette and redshirt senior Dorian Brown will “split the majority of the playing time,” Solich said.
There was emphasis throughout camp on the progress of Ouellette, who tore three ligaments in his foot on the team’s first drive last year, as he returned to full-contact reps for the first time in almost a year.
“I was worried about going into fall camp because he was running pretty well this summer, cutting pretty well this summer,” Solich said. “But he was not getting into collisions. And it’s one thing to run and run when someone else is running into you … We think he’s fine and ready to go.”
Receiving corps moves on, without Ball
Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Elijah Ball used Twitter to break the news Sunday that he will miss the season with a torn ACL. He was supposed to be on the forefront of a mainly youthful and unproven group of receivers.
“I think we got more really good young receivers than we’ve had in the program maybe since I’ve been here,” Solich said. “At least for a long time, which can be good. We had a disappointment in (the injury of) Elijah Ball.”
Redshirt senior Brendan Cope and redshirt junior Papi White, who is listed on the team website as a running back but will be primarily a slot receiver, will still lead the way among a receiving corps in which 14 of the 18 players are in their redshirt sophomore year or younger.
Solich thinks Cope and White are the two fastest athletes on the team, which can help the Bobcats stretch the field and create space for other receivers.
“We can put those two guys on the field that can really, really run, challenge you deep when we want to,” Solich said. “That’s always a good start to have some speed there.”
On Hampton and beyond
Solich was clear that he won’t underestimate his team’s upcoming opponent Hampton, which plays in the Football Championship Series (a level below Ohio). He gave credit to Pirates head coach Connell Maynor, who went 45-6 in four years at Winston-Salem State before going to Hampton four years ago.
“They’re better than what most people understand,” said Solich, later adding that it’s important to “get the thing won” in games that his team is favored.
Looking ahead, Solich is pleased with Ohio’s non-conference schedule, which includes Power Five foes Purdue (Big Ten) and Kansas (Big 12), as well as a lengthy trip north to UMass.
“Challenging schedule, but I like the attitude of our team. I like the leadership of our team,” he said. “Hopefully we can hold up health-wise.”
Odds and ends
-Three of the four starting secondary positions are filled, by safeties Kylan Nelson and Javon Hagan and cornerback Bradd Ellis. Solich said several players are battling for the other corner position, but Jalen Fox “probably has a little edge” in the final week of practice.
-Offensive lineman Durrell Wood won’t play Saturday due to injury. Defensive lineman Kevin Robbins, who has been sidelined battling dehydration, has “a chance to play,” Solich said. Wide receiver Andrew Meyer won’t play for disciplinary reasons.
