The Bobcats practiced Thursday morning for the 10th time during fall camp. It was conducted in periods outside at Peden Stadium, with a total of 25 periods over two hours and 15 minutes. It was the first time in almost two weeks with no pads. Here are The Post’s observations:
ATTENDANCE:
Absent: Elijah Ball (season-ending injury), Tyler Tupa (leg), Griffin Hites (leg), Austin Conrad (foot), Zach Burks (undisclosed), Darfnell Gouin (leg), Javon Hagan (non-football illness), Juan Watkins (arm), Kaieem Caesar (undisclosed), Chukwudi Chukwu (undisclosed), Amir Miller (undisclosed).
Limited: Mason Bernhardt (undisclosed), Dante Ruozzo (undisclosed).
Notes:
- De’Vante Mitchell returned to practice. He went through every drill and wasn’t pulled out once.
- Gouin didn’t practice Thursday and will miss at least two practices. Updates to come on his status.
- To this point in camp, the majority of injures have come from the defensive line and wide receivers.
OBSERVATIONS:
Sights and sounds
- Sook Center update: There was a fire alarm test during practice. I didn’t jump, you did.
- The first red stripes of camp have been taken off. Joe Mischler and Naylan Yates were the first.
- Thursday was the shortest practice of the camp.
- More boosters and fans continue to trickle into Peden in the lead up to the Bobcats’ first scrimmage, scheduled for tomorrow morning.
Passing offense
- Nathan Rourke returned to his usual duties as starting quarterback, but Quinton Maxwell and Drew Keszei each took the day off. All preparation for the season’s wear and tear on a quarterbacks arm.
- Rourke was 18 of 23 in four periods (two 7-on-7, two team periods). He threw two touchdowns and no interceptions.
- He completed passes to Andrew Meyer, Cam Odom, Papi White (three each); Bryan Long, Ryan Luehrman, Connor Brown, Maleek Irons, Markel Davis, Willie Cherry, DL Knock, Keevon Harris, Noah Hoffman (one each).
- Both touchdown passes from Rourke were to Odom. The two have a knack for finding each other for touchdowns, they connected for a winning score in overtime against Eastern Michigan last year.
- Meanwhile — with Keszei and Maxwell sidelined — the true freshman Mischler shined. He was 10 of 10 in three periods with a great touchdown pass to Camryn Snow.
Tight ends
- With minimal blocking Thursday, there was an opportunity to keep an eye on the tight ends in the passing game. While Connor Brown may be the best blocking tight end, Ryan Luehrman has shown the tools needed to be a big target.
- He’s averaging a reception each practice of camp. Ohio will use a two tight end formation when it wants to shove the ball down opponents throats this year. But, the Bobcats also like the option of finding a tight end in the red zone, which Luehrman seems made for. The best example was last year’s game against Kansas, where Troy Mangen had two touchdown receptions.
Defensive notes
- The only deflection of the day came from Tyler Gullett in the last 7-on-7 period of the day. He deflected one of Rourke’s passes, which was the only pass of the da from Rourke that was incomplete because of a defensive back.
Special teams
- The Bobcats focused on punt return Thursday with a full five minutes.
NEXT UP:
The Bobcats return to practice Friday at 8:40 a.m. at Peden Stadium. The practice is open to the public. It will be Ohio’s first scrimmage of fall camp.
Though it’s supposed to rain, coach Frank Solich said they’ll try to go outside unless there’s thunder and lightining.
