As Ohio's quarterbacks and receivers look for improvement with the new simplified offensive system, the Bobcat running backs hope for a repeat of the success they had last season.
The Bobcat running game was the brighter spot of the offense in 2005, accounting for nearly 60 percent of the total yards and scoring 16 of 21 Ohio touchdowns. All the main components of the ground attack will return this fall, led by Kalvin McRae, who gained 1,153 yards and tallied seven touchdowns last season.
The offensive changes do not affect the running backs as much as other positions, so this spring is mostly just back to business for McRae and company.
For the most part everything is still the same
with the exception of a few new plays we put in McRae said. As far as the running back position everything is pretty much the same as last year. Technique-wise
everything's the same. We're just trying to keep the same mind set we had last year; we're just trying to stay hungry and just keep going for it and getting better as a unit and try to make as many big plays as we can for the offense and put our team in the best position to win.
The biggest change would be is that we're not trying to carry as many offensive plays that we did last fall
offensive coordinator Tim Albin said. We cut about three or four running schemes
and right now we're carrying basically five things in our running game package and cut back on the number of pass routes and protections that we have. We cut it back for our guys so they're not doing as much thinking. That's what coach (Frank) Solich has really wanted us to focus in on this spring.
Even though McRae seems like a shoo-in for the starting spot, like most of the positions on a Solich team, no job is guaranteed. Returners Voncarie Owens, Josh Abrams and James Magee, along with transfer Joel Scipio and incoming freshman Robert Hightower, are competing for playing time alongside McRae.
Right now the position's pretty much wide open
McRae said. At some point in time in the year every running back should get in the game. There's so many different factors that can play into it
but I think the coaching staff will make a good decision as far as rotation. We're really just trying to get our best players on the field at one time.
Another offensive position not strongly influenced by the simplified scheme is the tight ends. Their biggest challenge will be replacing Dave Cody, the most productive tight end last season. The senior caught 15 passes for 144 yards in 2005, and now tight ends coach Pete Germano is looking to his more experienced players to step up.
I've challenged them
he said, and I would like them to be a viable option for our offense next season ' somebody that you can count on going to make the key catch or make the key block. I also stress to these guys that I need versatility at the position. They've got to do pass protection and run routes
know and understand how to pick up blitzes; they've also got to run-block and all those types of things. I want them to be a weapon on offense
so when they're out there
