Ohio Bobcats
Mid-American Conference
Coach Frank Solich quickly turned around the Ohio program. Now in his seventh year, Coach Solich has led the Bobcats to four bowl appearances. Prior to Coach Solich’s arrival, Ohio had not been to a bowl game since 1968. The Bobcats have not been winning their bowl games, but they are getting closer.
2011 Record: 9-4, 6-2
Last Bowl Appearance: 2010 New Orleans Bowl vs. Troy (L 21-48)
Big Wins: 9/17 Marshall (44-7), 11/2 Temple (35-31),
Bad Losses: 10/8 at Buffalo (37-38), 10/15 Ball State (20-23)
Coach: Frank Solich (49-40 at Ohio, 107-59 overall)
Bowl Record: 0-3 at Ohio, 2-6 overall
Offensive Coordinator: Tim Albin and Gerry Gdowski
Defensive Coordinator: Jimmy Burrow
Strengths:
The Ohio offense and defense has been quite productive this season. Quarterback Tyler Tettleton has turned into a consistent and steady quarterback. He has completed an impressive 63.8 percent of his passes and thrown for 26 touchdowns and just ten interceptions. Tettleton’s success has been bolstered by the production of some talented wide receivers. LaVon Brazill is the star of the unit, but there is plenty of other help out there in Riley Dunlop and Donte Foster. The ground game has also been productive with Donte Harden and Ryan Boykin leading the way. On the other side of the ball, the Bobcats have one of the best defenses, at least by yardage, in the Mid-American Conference. Linebacker Noah Keller is the leader of the unit and a handful of youngsters have stepped up their game and performed quite well. Redshirt freshman Nate Carpenter has perhaps had the most surprising season. He always seems to be around the ball in the secondary and is one of the main big play threats on the defensive side of the ball.
Weaknesses:
While the defense has played well, the schedule has been pretty easy compared to other teams in the MAC, especially for the Ohio defense. MAC West members Northern Illinois, Western Michigan and Toledo were all off of the regular season schedule. Those are three extremely potent offenses that the Bobcats were lucky to avoid. The other issue has been the turnovers. The Bobcats turnover margin is not too bad, but it is not good either. However, the turnovers tend to happen at inopportune times. Despite ranking 18th in the nation in total offense, Ohio’s scoring offense is just 35th in the country. That means the Bobcats gain yards, but do not get points and they do not give up yards, but they give up quite a few points. Hidden yardage and turnovers have led to some close losses that this team could have won otherwise. That will need to be avoided in the bowl game.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Donte Harden, RB, 939 yards
Passing: Tyler Tettleton, QB, 3,082 yards
Receiving: LaVon Brazill, WR, 1,038 yards
Tackles: Noah Keller, LB, 105
Sacks: Tremayne Scott, DE, 3.5
Interceptions: Travis Carrie, CB, 4
2011 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 212.42 (19th in nation, 5th in conference)
Passing Offense: 252.00 (38, 6)
Total Offense: 464.42 (18, 3)
Scoring Offense: 31.92 (35, 4)
Rushing Defense: 124.00 (28, 3)
Pass Defense: 226.67 (61, 9)
Total Defense: 350.67 (36, 4)
Scoring Defense: 22.00 (33, 2)
Turnover Margin: -.17 (74, 7)
Sacks: 1.67 (79, 9)
Sacks Allowed: 1.67 (49, 6)
