INSIDE SLANT
The Bobcats have plenty of incentive heading into the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
Ohio (9-4) is seeking a 10th win this season, which would tie a program record. The Bobcats, 0-3 all-time in bowl games, are also looking for the first postseason win in program history.
In those terms, Ohio’s spot in the Dec. 26 game at Detroit’s Ford Field means a lot for a program that has not enjoyed much success over the past 40 years.
But add in Ohio’s bowl opponent, traditional rival Marshall, and the Bobcats have a whole new reason to be fired up for their second bowl game in four seasons.
Marshall, located just 90 miles away from the Ohio campus, has always been the Bobcats’ closest rival. The Thundering Herd beat Ohio in seven of eight years during the Herd’s triumphant run through the MAC during the 1997-2004 seasons.
Marshall left for Conference USA in 2005 and will be playing in a bowl game for the first time since its departure. The Bobcats hope to show they aren’t the downtrodden program the Herd remembers.
Powered by a defense that created 36 turnovers this season, big special teams plays, and an offense with a knack for clinching plays in the fourth quarter, Ohio has enjoyed a rebound 2009 season. Just 4-8 last year, the Bobcats won the MAC East for the second time in four seasons and are threatening to become one of the MAC’s more consistent programs under veteran coach Frank Solich.
The Bobcats can take a huge step in that direction in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
“Getting to 10 wins, winning a bowl game, those would be huge for this program,” Solich said. “We’re making strides in the right direction, and this can help us continue to build on that.”
NOTES, QUOTES
Scouting The Offense: Gone is the I-formation and heavy run-based attack. Ohio over the past two seasons has morphed into a balance attack utilizing one-back sets and the shotgun. The Bobcats’ “Pistol” offense uses misdirection and a wide-variety of option looks to attack defenses with more finesse than brawn. The strength of the offense lies with senior QB Theo Scott (19 touchdown passes) and a deep receiving corps that has three wideouts with at least 30 catches and five touchdowns apiece. The Bobcats have been mediocre running the football, but they have done just enough to keep opponents honest. Ohio averaged 25.4 points per game, but it put up 38 and 35 points on the two best defenses in the MAC.
Scouting The Defense: Ohio has been opportunistic and effective this season. The ‘Cats ranked fourth in the MAC, allowing 21.3 points a game, and they led the nation with 36 turnovers forced. Where Ohio has struggled this season has been against power running teams that load up with two backs and multiple tight ends. Marshall doesn’t quite fit that description, but it will bring one of the best runners Ohio has seen this season in the form of RB Darius Marshall.
Matchup To Watch: Ohio LB Noah Keller vs. Marshall RB Darius Marshall—Keller has racked up 138 tackles this season en route to becoming one of the best every-down linebackers in the MAC. Marshall was second in Conference USA in all-purpose yardage, and he picked up 1,054 rushing yards in nine games.
Quote To Note: “It should be a very good game between two evenly matched teams that have a lot of history together.”—Ohio coach Frank Solich.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Bowl Breakdown:
Ohio vs. Marshall, Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, Dec. 26, Detroit—Ohio will be making just its fourth bowl appearance ever, and it is still seeking its first postseason victory. Marshall hasn’t been to the postseason since 2004, when it played in the then-named Motor City Bowl as the Mid-American Conference champion. The two teams have been traditional rivals, given their geographic proximity, and they will resume a non-conference series in 2010.
Players To Watch:
QB Theo Scott—The senior is critical to Ohio’s offense, given that raw true freshman Tyler Tettleton is the backup. When healthy, Scott gives Ohio a potential home run hitter with his arms and legs on any given play.
WR Taylor Price—Ohio’s all-time leader in receptions, Price has been quiet the past four games. He leads the team with 52 catches for 735 yards and has five touchdowns, but sometimes he gets lost when the Bobcats struggle offensively.
MLB Noah Keller—The heart of the defense, the junior has 138 tackles on the season including a MAC championship game record 16 against Central Michigan. Excellent in pursuit and at the point of attack, Keller has become a sideline-to-sideline force.
FS Patrick Tafua—The senior has personified Ohio’s turnover-happy defense this season. Besides 68 tackles, Tafua has snagged three interceptions, recovered four fumbles and forced another.
Roster Report:
• QB Theo Scott (ankle), WR LaVon Brazill (knee) and LG A.J. Strum (ankle) all were less than 100 percent for the MAC championship game, and the offense struggled in a 20-10 loss to Central Michigan. None of the three injuries will require surgery, however, and it’s anticipated all three players will be much healthier when the team reconvenes for bowl practice starting on Dec. 16.
• CB Idris Lawrence will miss the bowl game after suffering a knee injury against the Chippewas.
