Ohio Bobcats Football

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Northwestern-Ohio: College Football Pregame Primer

Sep 18, 2008

Pregame Primer

Ohio (0-3) at Northwestern (3-0)

Date: Sept. 20, 2008

Location: Ryan Field, Evanston, IL

Game Time: 11:00 am CT

On Air: Big Ten Network, 720 AM

Line: Northwestern by 10.5

Northwestern can win if… 

…they remember what this team did against Ohio State.  Despite the Bobcat’s winless record, they have actually led in two of their last three games.  The Wildcats are more talented on both sides of the ball and have no excuse to make this a close game.

Northwestern’s defense will be the story this weekend, as turnovers will be aplenty for many of Mike Hankwitz’s troops.  If the Wildcats apply the pressure early, this could become a rout.

Quarterback C.J. Bacher went interception-less for the second straight game last week and hasn’t thrown a pick since the first quarter of the Syracuse game.

However, he also didn’t record a single touchdown against a weak Southern Illinois secondary, albeit in monsoon-like weather.  Obviously the conditions played a factor, but Bacher is one of the most prolific passers in the conference.

Offensive coordinator Mick McCall will likely call his quarterback’s number several times on Saturday, both through the air and with the option run.  With Ohio’s defense focused on shutting down running back Tyrell Sutton, Bacher has no excuse to not light them up.

Northwestern will struggle if…

…someone significant gets hurt.  Head coach Pat Fitzgerald has kept his team surprisingly healthy so far, but an injury to one of the skill position players—such as Sutton or Bacher—could spiral the team toward the abyss. 

The Ohio offense has gotten solid production from the quarterback position, as starter Franshaw “Boo” Jackson se a school record last weekend with 413 total yards against Central Michigan.

Wildcat safety Brendan Smith needs to keep his defensive backfield mates from giving up the big play, which was a glaring problem during their win over Southern Illinois.

The interception-free version of Bacher has been a pleasant surprise in Evanston, but where did all the touchdowns go?  The stable Bacher has only three of them in as many games and will need to morph into the offensive machine he can be if the Wildcats are to keep up with their upcoming competition.

Earlier this week, Bacher responded to the recent lack of big plays by the offense: “...big plays will happen.  We have enough athletes at receiver and running back that a short pass can turn into a big play."  The way Sutton is playing so far this season, he has a point (pun intended).

Northwestern players to watch

Quarterback C.J. Bacher

The lack of interceptions is nice, but what happened to the touchdown-throwing cannon arm he had for the majority of last season?  Look for Bacher to take advantage of a weak Ohio secondary with at least two touchdowns on Saturday.

Running back Tyrell Sutton

What more can he do?  Sutton’s on pace to shatter his reception total from last season and will be attempting to tie former Wildcat Damien Anderson’s school record for career touchdowns (38).  If he scores three times, as he did last weekend, mission accomplished.

Cornerback Jordan Mabin

In his first start last Saturday against Southern Illinois, the redshirt freshman proved he belonged in the secondary.  Against a poor passing offense like Ohio, look for Mabin to record his first career interception.

Fitzgerald, on Mabin’s debut: “I thought Jordan played well...he is an explosive back.”

 

Ohio players to watch

Quarterback Franshaw “Boo” Jackson

No, that isn’t a misspelling.  The man’s name is Franshaw, and he had one of the best games of his career last Saturday against Central Michigan.  The 6'0", 197-pound junior passed for 365 yards and three touchdowns, but the Bobcats still lost 31-28.  Despite what he does against the Wildcats, at least they will remember his name.

Wide Receiver Taylor Price

Hailing from the same hometown as Wildcat freshman Jeremy Ebert, the Hillard, Ohio native had 14 receptions in the Bobcats’ opening game.  If Price and Franshaw (sorry, have to take advantage of using his name) start to gain momentum, Northwestern might be in trouble.

 

Most Telling Statistic

Defensive end Corey Wooton ranks first in the conference and fifth in the nation with 1.33 sacks per game.

Prediction 

Could this be this year’s version of last season's “Duke Debacle?”  If the Wildcats look ahead to their match against Iowa in two weeks and forget to show up against the Bobcats, history may repeat itself.  Ohio has nothing to lose and has the experience to compete with the best teams in the country.

Luckily for Northwestern, the Wildcats have one of the greatest motivating coaches in the nation, as Pat Fitzgerald never fields a team that is unprepared.

The game will be closer than some believe, but “purple rain” will continue to fall on the Big Ten as the Wildcats look to go 4-0 for the first time in 46 years.

Northwestern 27, Ohio 21

Previewing Wyoming’s Opponents: Ohio Bobcats

Aug 20, 2008

Last year's matchup was a very sloppy 34-33 loss by Ohio that featured 11 total turnovers, with seven by Wyoming and four by the Bobcats.

Ohio had a disappointing season in 2007 with just six wins, after getting nine wins in 2006.  The team was very average: They went 6-6, but they also had an even record in conference games, home games, and road games as well.  This year's game takes place Week One in Laramie.

 

Offense

The team returns eight starters on offense.  Last season they averaged a solid 30 points per game.  The Bobcats have to break in a new quarterback for the third straight year, but starting QB junior Theo Scott saw time in 10 games last year, so he did gain valuable experience.  In those 10 games, Scott threw five touchdowns to three picks and had a 57.8 completion percentage.

Scott is somewhat of a dual-threat quarterback.  Head coach Frank Solich says of Scott, “He understands our system and is a good combo runner and thrower.  We are able to use him in shotgun formations and as a running threat as well.”

The running game will have to replace the school's all-time leading rusher, Kalvin McRae.  The leading candidate is playmaking junior Chris Garrett, who is making the move from wide receiver to tailback this season.  Garrett is an excellent punt and kick returner with his elusive running style.  The coaches also plan to use Garrett in the short passing game to utilize all of his skills.

The other back will be sophomore Vince Davidson, who heads into the fall as part of the rotation.  Davidson appeared in seven games last season.  Another back who could get a few carries is sophomore L.J. Flintall, who Coach Solich feels has the ability to find the holes made by the offensive line.

The receiving corps has only had to be a supporting aspect of the offense because of the strength of the running game.  The Bobcats’ top returning wide receiver is junior Taylor Price, who led the team last season with 464 yards receiving and four touchdowns.  LaVon Brazill who is the only other returning starter.  He is very raw and is "learning on the fly," according to the coaches.

While the team is low on experience, the Bobcats will frequently use a two tight end formation and have a pair of solid performers returning, led by their leading returning tight end, senior Andrew Mooney.  The passing game should be OK with the multiple options of tight ends and receivers.

 

Defense

The defense was nothing special.  They had a tough time creating turnovers and gave up 30 points per game.  They do return seven starters on the defensive side.

The one odd stat was that the Bobcats defense placed third in the MAC in both tackles for loss and sacks.  Conversely, Ohio’s front four had difficulty stopping the run, allowing 186.4 yards rushing per game, which ranked 91st nationally.  If they are able to at least be mediocre on rush defense, then this side of the ball should be much better.

A key player who missed last year was Ernie Hodge.  After an impressive 2006 freshman campaign, off the field matters took him away from the team, and Hodge took a redshirt in 2007.  He’s back and moves from defensive end, where he recorded 38 tackles as a freshman, to tackle to help strengthen the line.

Defensive end is the strongest part of the line.  With both starters back in Corey Moncrief and A.J. Oxley, the DEs should be able to improve the subpar rush defense.

The defensive back position is the best part of their defense, and last year Ohio was second in the league in pass efficiency defense while allowing a fifth-best 221.1 yards passing per game.  The secondary will now have the depth they needed with three starters returning and the entrance of a few junior college defensive backs who should see immediate playing time.

 

Early Prediction

This should be a defensive showdown since both teams have good defenses.  Looking back at last year and the number of turnovers, anything can happen.  Look for Wyoming to win because they do not lose at home or early in the season.

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