A.J. Ouellette took a deep breath so he could hold back his tears.
The running back had just finished his last game at Peden Stadium. Struggling to put so many memories into words, Ouellette found himself staring at the green tablecloth in front of him.
Ouellette, a redshirt senior who had just rushed for 169 yards and two touchdowns on his senior day, stopped, looked over and saw coach Frank Solich. He took another breath and answered the question he was asked.
It’s moments like that when Ohio players realize that their time in Athens has come to an end.
In Ohio’s 49-28 win over Akron on Friday afternoon, a rags-to-riches story had its final curtain call.
"The first day on campus, I never thought it would end like this,” Ouellette said. “I thought it would have a different route, but I knew that I had the ability to do this. I am just thankful that the coaches gave me a chance.”
Five years ago, Ouellette was an unknown. A walk-on from Ohio high school’s Division VII Covington, he earned a scholarship at Ohio after week one of his first fall camp.
Expected to redshirt to get stronger — hopefully grow — he entered the 2014 season fifth on the depth chart. By the end season opener, he’d rushed for 28 yards, being played due to injuries and fumbles.
Entering the 2016 season, Ouellette was elected captain. By then a star in the Ohio running backs room and around the league, he was expected to take the bulk of the Bobcats’ carries.
On his third carry of the season, Ouellette tore his Lisfranc, a ligament of the foot that runs between two bones. Done for the season, he responded by working harder in the weight room and coaching from the sidelines.
Two full seasons removed from that injury, Ouellette broke the 1,000 yard mark Friday for the second straight season. He’s the fourth player in school history to have two 1,000 yard seasons in his career. His 32 career-touchdowns place him fourth all-time in rushing touchdowns.
Many will remember the burly running back for his tough shoulder hits, others for the way he rebounded from his injury, others for his story that encases what Ohio football is all about.
“I recognize him as a guy who was special in his toughness,” Solich said. “He kept getting better and better with skill level, toughness, camaraderie, teamwork. Having him for those years were special because he's not only a complete back but a complete person. I just love being around him.”
Solich loves Ouellette — the player, person, student — that’s clear.
What wasn’t clear until Friday was how emotional Solich was about Ouellette. In the postgame press conference, the 14th year coach and former running back was asked:
“For the past two, three seasons, Papi White and A.J. Ouellette have been two of the biggest players of making your offense as explosive and impactful as it has been. Was it bittersweet standing there today knowing it was the last time A.J. was going to break free for a touchdown or Papi was going to make some move nobody else on the field could make?”
Solich paused for a minute, then put his head down. Trying to gather himself, he wiped away tears and lifted his head.
“Yup,“ he mustered, forcing himself to smile to hide the tears.
