Despite a general lack of success on the field during the past few seasons, fans at the spring game could meet and greet one of the team's shining stars of the past decade.
Dave Zastudil, a four-year punter as a Bobcat from 1998-2001 and a current member of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, was in town last weekend for the spring game as well as for a banquet for high schoolers.
Zastudil, a fourth-round pick of the Ravens in 2002, said he likes what he sees from the new-look Bobcats and looks back fondly on his time in Athens.
The thing about Ohio University is that it's a great town
he said. You get the social life you get the diversity.
For coach Brian Knorr, Zastudil represents a great role model for his players.
Dave's very important Knorr said. I got 75 players out there that want to play in the NFL
and to see that somebody from Ohio University has gone on and is doing well is important.
Receivers, tight ends show their stuff
Although wide receiver Anthony Hackett did not show up on the stat sheet in the spring game, coaches are confident he and Scott Mayle can carry the receiving corps. The real battle is going on for the third and fourth receiver spots.
Two candidates for those spots are Justin Riley and Ahmona Maxwell. Riley, lining up all over the field as a slot/h-back, caught four passes for 52 yards for the white team. Wide receiver Ahmona Maxwell contributed 22 yards on four receptions also for the white. Slot Ray Huston also had some limited success by accounting for all 32 of the green team's receiving yards and scoring its lone touchdown.
One of the striking aspects of new coordinator Phil Earley's offense is its lack of reliance on fullbacks as opposed to getting tight ends on the field. Two tight end sets were common, with a fourth-and-one play featuring three tight ends and no fullbacks.
After the game, quarterback Ryan Hawk said he will be looking for the tight ends frequently this fall.
Some of the times there's three of them in the game. We're gonna be using them a lot
he said.
Ryan Antle looks to be the No. 1 tight end, Knorr said, and he caught the white team's only touchdown. If the spring game is any indication, Bobcat fans will see a lot of him as well as D.T. Boon, Dave Cody and Corey Logan in the fall.
Few injuries in game
Mayle and Maxwell were the only players injured in the game, and neither injury appears serious, Knorr said.
Maxwell sprained the AC joint in his shoulder but should only miss the next month and should be ready for fall practice. Mayle sprained his ankle, but it is apparently not serious and should not affect him for the fall and also should not hamper his contributions to the track and field team. Mayle is a sprinter and long jumper. Safety Chip Cox is also expected to join track this spring.
Spring holdouts should return for fall
Many players, including eight probable starters or backups on defense, were held out of spring practice.
Headlining those who watched the spring game from the sidelines was linebacker Dennis Chukwuemeka, last season's leading tackler. Others included linebackers Tyler Russ, Chuck Terry, Andrew Tyson, and Pete Brately, defensive backs Rashad Butler and Rahman Shavers and defensive linemen Garrett Bush and Perrier Paul. All except Bush should recover fully for fall practice in August.
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Kyle Kondik
