As the Ohio football team gained a lead over Tennessee-Martin during Saturday's home opener, coach Frank Solich seized the opportunity to give all of his quarterbacks some playing time. Returning starter Austen Everson struggled early on but became more effective running the option in the game's later quarters, finishing the day 8-for-17 with 49 yards in the air. Everson also rushed for a touchdown but wound up with negative yardage on the ground. I need to work on executing
getting other people to execute and getting the offense to focus Everson said. As the quarterback you're kind of the one that needs to make the team go. If the quarterback goes
the team goes. Illinois transfer Brad Bower experienced a setback on his first pass play for the Bobcats, getting picked off by Tennessee-Martin's Dante Harrold with 4:50 remaining in the second quarter. He finished the day 3-for-5 with 33 yards. I think he overcame a tough start with the bootleg and the interception - but to his credit
when he came back in
I thought he played well
Solich said. I was pleased with the way (Bower and Everson) played in the later part of the game in terms of making better decisions and making some decisions that enabled us to get some things done. Josh Febus is third on the quarterback depth chart behind Everson and Bower, and made his first collegiate appearance for Ohio on Saturday - but not calling the plays. The redshirt freshman has solidified a position on the Bobcats' kickoff coverage unit and made two tackles against the Skyhawks to lead all members of the Ohio special teams. As long as he produces in that role
we'll use him there
Solich said. Right now he's an aggressive player - he likes contact. So we're always looking for guys on special teams who will have the impact
and he appears he might be able to do that.Subhed: Kicker honored The Mid-American Conference named Ohio kicker/punter Matt Lasher its East Division Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts against Tennessee-Martin. Lasher performed all three kicking duties against the Skyhawks, making two field goals - from 29 and 20 yards - while also averaging 42.8 yards on six punts and 62.7 yards on his kickoffs. The senior was also a perfect 3-for-3 on his PATs. Four of Lasher's punts held Tennessee-Martin inside its own 20-yard line, including two times when the Skyhawks were pinned inside their five-yard line. I got a few good bounces there
but I have had a good couple of weeks of practice
