ATHENS, Ohio – For the third year in a row, Ohio and Temple meet in a game that will put the winner in control of the Mid-American Conference East Division lead and probably will go a long way in deciding who plays in the MAC Championship Game.

The Bobcats have won both of the previous two meetings, but they will be facing a major challenge from an Owls team that has excelled defensively, in their rushing offense and on special teams, with Ohio coach Frank Solich saying they are “by far the best all-around team we have faced.”

Temple (5-3, 3-2 MAC) has given up more than 13 points only once this year and is allowing an average of just 10.0 points per game to rank first in the conference and second in the nation.

While the Owls rank 112th... <Read More>

AKRON, Ohio - The Ohio offense came to life late in the second quarter and carried that momentum into the second half of a 37-20 victory against Akron at Infocision Stadium on Saturday.

The Bobcats (5-3, 2-2 Mid-American Conference) and Zips (1-5, 0-3 MAC) were tied at 3 until a 78-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Tettleton to LeVon Brazill provided a spark for Ohio.

“We saw they were jumping the hitches the first couple of drives and stuff,” Tettleton said. “Coach (Frank) Solich was the one that called that play. He said, ‘Let’s go hitch and go.’ I knew they were going to bite if I gave them a pump fake and if LaVon ran a good route, and that’s what happened.”

A 27-yard Matt Weller touchdown as the first half closed made it 13-3, and the... <Read More>

Lonnie McMillan Photo

AKRON, Ohio – Once again, the Ohio football team faces a team that likely will be looking to run the ball at the Bobcat’s beat-up defensive line.

Through all of Akron’s struggles, one bright spot has been freshman running back Jawon Chisholm, who has rushed for 575 yards and three touchdowns with an average of 5.0 yards per carry in six games this season.

“Akron will be a football game that I think will be a physical football game,” Ohio coach Frank Solich said. “They’ve got a good-sized football team that’s aggressive. I think they’re a team that is playing better this year and is gaining some confidence along the way.”

The Zips (1-5, 0-2 Mid-American Conference) were blown out in three straight games to start the year against Ohio State... <Read More>

Lonnie McMillan Photo

ATHENS, Ohio – Matt Weller missed a 41-yard field goal with 36 seconds left and Ball State held on a for a 23-20 victory to spoil Ohio’s homecoming on Saturday.

The Bobcats (4-3, 1-2 Mid-American Conference) could not overcome three turnovers to none by the Cardinals (4-3, 2-1 MAC) even as LaVon Brazill became the school’s all-time leading receiver with a huge game of eight catches, 157 yards and two touchdowns.

Ohio hit on big plays but did not sustain drives and ultimately could not finish off its final effort.

Backed up inside the 10-yard line for the third possession in a row, the Bobcats had a 12-play, 71-yard drive stall at the Ball State 24-yard line when Tyler Tettleton’s third-and-13 pass to Riley Dunlop was two yards shy of a... <Read More>

Additional Coverage: Box score  (Ohio Bobcats.com) Exclusive BobcatAttack.com Multimedia:   Ohio vs. Ball State

Lonnie McMillan Photo Defensive tackle John Taylor chases after Buffalo quarterback Chazz Anderson in Saturday's game. Taylor's role was greatly increased this past week with both Carl Jones and Neal Huynh out.

ATHENS, Ohio – Both Ball State and Ohio are coming off losses and are looking to rebound.

The Cardinals (3-3, 1-1 Mid-American Conference) were off to a solid start, despite facing Oklahoma, Indiana and South Florida in its non-conference schedule, but they were put into place with a 42-0 home loss to Temple last week. Ohio (4-2, 1-1 MAC) suffered a 38-37 upset at Buffalo, putting a damper on one of the best starts in school history.

“We’re going to have to find a way to get back on track this week in practice,” Ball State coach Pete Lembo said.

The Bobcats were down half of their defensive starters against the Bulls, but coach Frank Solich said his team is not using that as an excuse.

“This is not a game to feel sorry for yourself about,”... <Read More>

Lonnie McMillan Photo Dante Harden dives for the pylon on a touchdown run against Buffalo on Saturday. Harden had 89 yards rushing but the Bulls upset the Bobcats, 38-37.

AMHERST, N.Y. – Ohio could not overcome the loss of three starting defensive players, Buffalo’s big-play capabilities and missed opportunities in a 38-37 loss at UB Stadium on Saturday.

Branden Oliver, who had 179 yards rushing on 34 carries, scored his third touchdown with 5:45 remaining and the Bulls held off the Bobcats.

In a game of shifting momentum, Ohio lost starting defensive linemen Carl Jones (shoulder) and Curtis Meyers (illness) and safety Xavier Hughes (shoulder) in the first quarter, while already playing without cornerback Omar Leftwich (shoulder) and defensive tackle Neal Huynh (knee).

The Bulls jumped out to a 21-7 lead in the second quarter, but the Bobcats rallied back for a 31-24 lead in the third quarter.

Ohio (4-2... <Read More>

Additional Coverage: Box score  (Ohio Bobcats.com) Exclusive BobcatAttack.com Multimedia:   Ohio vs. Buffalo

Lonnie McMillan Photo Ohio's Carl Jones makes a tackle against Kent State on Saturday. Jones is the most experienced of an injury-plagued defensive line.

AMHERST, N.Y. – Ohio’s injury-plagued defensive line will face a test right away when it faces a Buffalo offense that features 100-yard-per game rusher Branden Oliver.

Oliver has exactly 500 yards in his first five games and is averaging 4.2 yards per carry. The Bulls also offer a running threat from quarterback Chazz Anderson, who has 200 yards on the ground. The two have combined for eight touchdowns rushing.

“I know that they’re a very physical football team, that’ll work hard at moving the ball on us,” Ohio coach Frank Solich said. “Certainly, they do a good job on the ground.”

Starting nose tackle Neal Huynh is expected to miss about four weeks with a knee injury suffered last week against Kent State. Backup Jeff King recently had a... <Read More>

Lonnie McMillan Photo Quarterback Tyler Tettleton suffered a deep calf bruise Saturday against Kent State, but is not expected to miss this weekend's game against Buffalo.

ATHENS, Ohio – Good news came to the Ohio football team Monday in finding that some of the team’s injuries were not as bad as feared.

Defensive tackle Neal Huynh suffered a knee injury and cornerback Omar Leftwich injured his shoulder early in Saturday’s 17-10 victory against Kent State and did not return.

Huynh, who entered the game as the Bobcats’ leading tackler, was on crutches Saturday and it was feared he might have torn his anterior cruciate ligament, but an MRI revealed a less serious injury and Ohio coach Frank Solich said he would be out about four weeks.

It was known that Leftwich’s injury was not as serious, but there is no break and he might even be able play Saturday against Buffalo.

Things certainly were less optimistic... <Read More>

Lonnie McMillan Photo LaVon Brazill makes a catch along the sideline for Ohio on Saturday. He had eight catches for 102 yards and a touchdown in the Bobcats' 17-10 defeat of Kent State.

ATHENS, Ohio – Ohio limited Kent State to 217 yards and forced four turnovers to break its two-game losing streak to the Golden Flashes in a chilly defensive 17-10 battle at Peden Stadium on Saturday.

The Bobcats stopped the Golden Flashes’ last chance to drive for the win by forcing a four-and-out in the final two minutes of the game.

Ohio (4-1, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) totaled 391 yards of offense on 81 plays, but it did not produce a lot of points for all the yards it gained, getting only a pair of Tyler Tettleton touchdown passes to Ryan Boykin and LaVon Brazill.

It might not have been pretty, but especially after last year’s 28-6 regular season-ending loss that kept the Bobcats out of the MAC Championship Game, it was good... <Read More>

Additional Coverage: Box score  (Ohio Bobcats.com) Exclusive BobcatAttack.com Multimedia:   Ohio vs. Kent State

ATHENS, Ohio – Ohio has gone to bowl games two years in a row, but the Bobcats also have lost to a sub-.500 Kent State in each of those two seasons.

Last year’s 28-6 loss to the Golden Flashes on Black Friday was especially devastating, causing Ohio to lose a spot in the Mid-American Conference championship game.

Ohio coach Frank Solich said it is important for the Bobcats to come out with a different response to the Golden Flashes’ physical style of play this year when they meet Saturday.

“Last year’s game was a game that was a rough on us in a lot of ways,” Solich said. “They just outplayed us. We did not respond to the game itself. During the game, we didn’t respond well. There’s an absence there for me as to why we played the way that... <Read More>

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Ohio’s offense lost four fumbles and the defense struggled to stop third downs and Mohamed Sanu in a 38-26 loss at Rutgers on Saturday afternoon.

Sanu had 16 catches for 176 yards and two touchdowns and helped the Scarlet Knights (2-1) convert 11 of 18 third downs while piling up 410 yards of offense and 40 minutes of possession time.

Despite running just 58 plays, the Bobcats (3-1) managed 404 yards of offense, but only 65 of those came on the ground with starting running back Donte Harden sitting out with an injury.

Tyler Tettleton was 23 of 36 for 339 yards and three touchdowns to lead Ohio.

Rutger’s Chas Dodd was 21 of 32 for 232 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.

“As I told you at the beginning of the... <Read More>

Lonnie McMillan Photo Ohio's Tyler Tettleton celebrates a touchdown run against Marshall last week. The Bobcats scored 44 points, but will face a tougher challenge against Rutgers this week.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Through three games, Ohio’s no-huddle offense has worked as well as its coaches hoped for, ranking in the top fifth of college football in almost all statistical categories and, more importantly, producing a dominating 3-0 start.

The Bobcats, though, will face their toughest defensive challenge of the season in their final non-conference game this weekend when they travel to Rutgers, which ranks among the best in the nation through its first two games.

Ohio (3-0) has produced an average of 39.3 points and 477.7 yards per game, but Rutgers (1-1) has allowed only 12.0 points and 262.5 yards per game.

“They’re a very, very physical football team and by far the best defensive football team we’ve faced this year, so that’s... <Read More>

Lonnie McMillan Photo

ATHENS, Ohio – The alternate black jerseys donned by the Ohio football team Saturday were a surprise to fans – and to the players.

The jerseys were kept a secret from everyone, even the players, until just hours before game time.

“We had our pregame meal and told them to go right up for team meetings,” Ohio coach Frank Solich said. “Usually they stop in the locker room prior to that for a few minutes, but we locked that up and had them go right up to team meetings.”

Before every game, the Bobcats watch a pre-game motivational video, and it revealed to the players the jerseys they would be wearing against Marshall.

“There was tremendous excitement once they figured it out,” Solich said.

The black jerseys featured green numbers in a white... <Read More>

Lonnie McMillan Photo Ohio players celebrate capturing the bell by virtue of a 44-7 victory against Marshall on Saturday night.

ATHENS, Ohio – Having not beaten Marshall since 2000, Ohio could have been satisfied with any victory against the Thundering Herd on Saturday.

But it was all the more satisfying for the Bobcats that they forced six first-half turnovers and amassed 559 yards of offense in capturing a 44-7 victory in the Battle of the Bell at Peden Stadium

“They’ve gotten the best of the past two times we’ve played them, so it feels good to finally get that bell home and get it where it belongs,” Ohio linebacker Noah Keller said. “I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a little bit of revenge factor coming into play. You want to win every game, but I sort of wanted to win this one quite handily. I wanted to not only win, but win quite favorably.”

Tyler... <Read More>

Additional Coverage: Box score  (Ohio Bobcats.com) Exclusive BobcatAttack.com Multimedia:   Ohio vs. Marshall

No Photo Credit Ohio's Tremayne Scott and Carl Jones combine for a tackle against Gardner-Webb. Ohio faces Marshall in the Battle for the Bell at 7 p.m. Saturday.

ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio football team is seeking its first victory against Marshall since 2000 and its first 3-0 start since 1976 this Saturday night in the Battle for the Bell at Peden Stadium.

The Bobcats lost, 24-23, failing to complete a 2-point conversion pass with no time on the clock, in last year’s matchup with the Thundering Herd in Huntington, W. Va.
But Ohio coach Frank Solich said he is not looking to get to get even with Marshall.

“They want to win them all obviously, and I bore you to death with our approaching of taking it one game at a time, but that’s obviously held up very well for us,” Solich said. “Revenge, that’s really not a use we word in the program. We really want to be as good as we can be. It really has nothing... <Read More>

Lonnie McMillan Photo Donte Foster tries to pull in a catch on Saturday night. Ohio won its home opener, 30-3, against Gardner-Webb.

ATHENS, Ohio – Despite playing without middle linebacker Noah Keller, Ohio’s defense limited Gardner-Webb to just 124 yards of offense and the Bobcats used a big second quarter to roll to a 30-3 victory in their home-opener on Saturday night.

After a scoreless first quarter, Ohio overcame a slow start offensively with 24 points in the second quarter, with the help of three interceptions during the period.

“I thought defensively they played really well,” said Ohio coach Frank Solich, who earned his 100th career coaching victory. “… Overall when you add the total yardage up at the end of the game and you look at what the defense did to control that game, I think they played very well.”

Nathan Carpenter’s interception off a deflection set up... <Read More>

Additional Coverage: Box score  (Ohio Bobcats.com) Exclusive BobcatAttack.com Multimedia:   Ohio vs. Gardner-Webb

ATHENS, Ohio – Whether playing against Division II Brevard last week or against FBS opponent Ohio this week, Gardner-Webb is concentrating on playing football fundamentally.

The FCS Runnin’ Bulldogs will take a major step up in opponent this week by traveling to Peden Stadium to take on the Bobcats.

“The good thing is fields are 100 yards and we all play with a football,” Gardner-Webb coach Ron Dickerson Jr. said. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell my guys. Last week, they were a football team. It doesn’t matter what division it is, going into Ohio, they’re a football team, and we’ve got respect both of them. They’re great teams. The excitement is already going to come for us having the opportunity to play out of our division and play a... <Read More>

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Tyler Tettleton threw two touchdown passes and rushed for two others as the Ohio football team stormed out to a huge lead and topped New Mexico State, 44-24, in its season opener Saturday night at Aggie Memorial Stadium.

The Bobcats held their biggest lead at 44-10 on a 65-yard punt return by Travis Carrie, but allowed the Aggies a pair of late touchdowns.

Making his first career start, Tettleton was 16 of 28 for 153 yards with one interception and added 42 yards on seven carries. He completed passes to 11 different players.

"He's a relatively inexperienced quarterback and he's not had that many snaps, so he's learning in progress kind of quarterback right now, but he's so composed,” Ohio coach Frank Solich said. “He’s... <Read More>

BobcatAttack.com, in cooperation with College Bookstore and Ohio Athletics, is proud to present the Ohio Football "Forever Relentless" tee shirt, benefiting the Marcellis Williamson Memorial Fund.

This heavyweight 6.1oz tagless 100% cotton black tee shirt features a dark green and white imprint on both front and back. The front imprint features "Ohio Football" lettering arched over the number 62 and the Bobcat face logo with "Forever Relentless" lettering on either side. The back design features a large jersey-style number 62 with "Bobcats" in nameplate fashion above, and a small inscription below.

Marcellis "Six-Deuce" Williamson, who played nose tackle for the Ohio Bobcats, died in April 2011 at the age of 23. Shortly before his passing he posted an uplifting message on his Facebook page, a portion of which is included in the shirt design: "Enjoy today because tomorrow isn't guaranteed."

College Book Store is pleased to offer this tee as a tribute to the legacy of Marcellis Williamson, and will donate 25% of each sale to the fund named in his honor.

Celebrate Ohio Football and honor #62 with this very special shirt.

To make a donation of your own to the Marcellis Williamson Memorial Fund, please send it to:

Marcellis Williamson Memorial Fund
Peden Stadium Tower Complex
Athens, Ohio 45701

Ted Thompson Photo

Ohio returns its starting offensive line intact led by right tackle Joe Flading. The Lombardi Watch List nominee was named First Team All-MAC last season. The Cincinnati Anderson High School product talked with BobcatAttack about what's in store for 2011 at the team's Media Day.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – A road trip to open the season is never easy. It is even harder when the trip is more than 1,600 miles.

Ohio makes its longest trip of the year for its season opener, taking a trip to face New Mexico State on Saturday.

“It’s a very long road trip,” Ohio coach Frank Solich said. “It will be a four-hour flight. You’re always a little concerned about the distance in traveling to an away game such as that. There is some altitude involved. They’ve been practicing in much warmer weather than what we’ve been practicing in. There’s all those concerns leading up the game. I think our team has worked hard. We’re in pretty good shape, so hopefully we’ll line up and play well.”

Temperatures are expected to reach around 95 on Friday... <Read More>

ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio football team went to its second bowl game in a row last season, but it is not enough. This year’s Bobcats are hoping for more.

“I like what our football team is all about,” Ohio coach Frank Solich said. “They want to be good and they want to have a great season. They want to take the program to the next step. The next step is to win the conference championship and to win a bowl game, and then for those younger players, the next step is to do that with regularity.”

Ohio has appeared in two Mid-American Conference Championship Games and three bowl games during Solich’s six-year tenure, but has gone winless in those postseason games. The Bobcats never have won a bowl game and have not claimed the MAC championship... <Read More>

Ted Thompson Photo

Ohio tight end Jordan Thompson's 21 catches for 204 yards and three scores earned him All-MAC Second Team honors a year ago. His work in the classroom earned him Academic All-MAC honors. Named a captain for the 2011 season, Thompson talked with BobcatAttack at the team's Media Day.

ATHENS – The Ohio football team hopes it learned something from last season’s blowout New Orleans Bowl loss to Troy.

After watching the Trojans rack up more than 600 yards against them, the Bobcats decided to implement the no-huddle, up-tempo offense that worked so well against them.

“I think we can catch a lot of teams out of defense or blowing assignments,” Ohio wide receiver LaVon Brazill said. “I think that will be a good thing to put that high-tempo offense on them.”

Ohio’s 326.1 yards per game ranked 95th of 120 teams in the nation last year, but that statistic is not a true measure of the effectiveness of the offense. The Bobcats were 65th in yards per play at 5.52, but ranked ahead of only Wyoming in plays per game (59.08).

By... <Read More>

Ted Thompson Photo

Like teammate Noah Keller, LaVon Brazill had a 2010 season that started with promise and ended with injury. He starts this year with a chance to become Ohio's all-time receptions leader. Brazill needs 35 catches to pass Taylor Price's all-time mark of 149. The Lantana, Florida product talked with BobcatAttack about the upcoming season at the team's Media Day.

Lonnie McMillan Photo Noah Keller speaks to a reporter at Ohio's Media Day. Keller missed most of last season with a toe injury.

ATHENS – The Ohio football team was without three of its most heralded players throughout most of last season, and still managed to earn its second straight bowl game and came within one game of its second straight Mid-American Conference Championship Game.

This year, all three of those players, wide receiver LaVon Brazil, linebacker Noah Keller and safety Gerald Moore, are back and hoping for more than that this year.

The Bobcats this season are aiming for their first MAC championship since 1968.

“I’m sick of having to put it up there as a goal every year,” Keller said. “My junior year, that was our goal – to win our conference championship. We made it to it and then lost against Central Michigan. The next year, we’re like, ‘We’ll make it... <Read More>

Ted Thompson Photo

Noah Keller entered the 2010 season with a lot of hype. Coming off a 2009 campaign that saw him lead the MAC in tackles with 155, Keller received preseason All-American honors and was named to the Nagurski Award Watch List. But injuries limited him to three games and he decided to take a redshirt year and come back to Ohio for another shot at his senior year.

The Bobcat middle linebacker from Kearney, Nebraska talked with BobcatAttack at the team's annual Media Day.

Ted Thompson Photo

Phil Bates didn't win the starting quarterback job last season but that didn't stop the him from being an effective weapon on the field. Ohio coaches found various ways to get him 78 carries that he turned into 519 yards and three scores. The 6.7 yard average was best on the team for those that had more than 10 carries and the 519 rushing yards were just 30 behind team-leader Vince Davidson.

With Tyler Tettleton named the starting QB early in Fall Camp, the Bobcat staff is looking for even more ways to include Bates in the offense. The Omaha, Nebraska native sat down with BobcatAttack to talk about the upcoming season at the team's Media Day.

Ted Thompson Photo

Defensive lineman Antwan Crutcher might be new to campus but he has his sights set on seeing the field as a true freshman. At the team's Media Day, the Cleveland Glenville High School product talked about the Bobcats upcoming campaign.

Ted Thompson Photo

The competition for the starting quarterback job didn't last long as Coach Frank Solich named Tyler Tettleton the starter early into Fall Camp. The sophomore redshirted last season after seeing time as a true freshman during the 2009 season. The Norman, Oklahoma native sat down to talk with BobcatAttack about the 2011 season at the team's Media Day.

Ted Thompson Photo

In part two of the Frank Solich Media Day video, he addresses questions from the press.

Lonnie McMillan Photo Dante Harden speaks to a reporter during Ohio's Media Day on Saturday. Harden has set high goals for himself and the team this year.

ATHENS, Ohio – Ohio coach Frank Solich wants a running back to step up and be a go-to player and senior Dante Harden wants to be that guy.

The Bobcats shared carries between running backs last year, but Solich would rather that not be the case this year.

“I would like to have a guy who just becomes ‘the guy,’” Solich said. “Then we can plug in the other guys as needed. I do not like the ‘by committee’ form of running backs. Last year that was kind of what we felt we had to go to.”

Vince Davidson started all 12 games for the Bobcats in 2010, gaining 549 yards and six touchdowns on 138 carries. But Ryan Boykin (213 yards) and Dallas Brown (126 yards) also were factors in the running game at times, and so was Harden after he returning from a... <Read More>

Ted Thompson Photo

As Frank Solich prepares for his 7th season as head coach of the Bobcats, he talked about the upcoming season at the team's annual Media Day. BobcatAttack was there and will be publishing video interviews leading up to the team's opener at New Mexico St. on September 3rd.

Lonnie McMillan Photo Ohio coach Frank Solich talks to the media Friday, and announced Tyler Tettleton as the starting quarterback for this season.

ATHENS – For the first time in several years, the Ohio football team has its starting quarterback determined weeks before the start of the season.

Ohio coach Frank Solich announced Saturday that redshirt sophomore Tyler Tettleton has been named the starter.

“Tyler Tettleton will be our starting quarterback,” Solich said. “…Coming out of spring, he really had earned the starting quarterback position, but we wanted to carry it into the fall at least a week, and nothing has changed.”

Tettleton is small for a Division I quarterback at 5-11 and 198 pounds, but he had an impressive spring that included an 11-of-21 performance for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the Spring Game.

“It means a lot,” Tettleton said. “It means the coaches and... <Read More>

According to various reports, four former Bobcats have signed NFL rookie free agent contracts.

Wide receiver Terrence McCrae has signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and wide receiver Steven Goulet signed with the Oakland Raiders. Defensive end Stafford Gatling and cornerback Julian Posey have signed with the New York Jets.

ScoutingOhio.com is reporting that Aurora High School offensive guard Troy Watson has committed to Ohio. He becomes the first verbal to Ohio's 2012 recruiting class and chose the Bobcats over Toledo, Miami (OH), Akron, Kent St., BG, Ball St. and Eastern Michigan. OhioVarsity.com rates him the 18th best OL prospect in the state and is the highest rated recruit thus far to commit to a non-BCS school.

Ohio Athletics Photo

Lonnie McMillan Photo

Ohio Athletics has confirmed that former Bobcat football player Marcellis Williamson passed away yesterday at the age of 23. A starter the last two seasons for the Bobcats at defensive tackle, Williamson had become a key part of Ohio's defensive unit. He graduated in Fall Quarter with a degree in Recreation Management.

BobcatAttack.com, along with fellow Bobcats everywhere, would like to offer our condolences to Marcellis' family and friends.

Additional Coverage: Interview with Marcellis and Russ Eisenstein last season  (Ohio Bobcats.com) Click here to find out how you can contribute to the Marcellis Williamson Memorial Fund  (Ohio Bobcats.com) Ohio Athletics Mourns Passing of Former Nose Guard Marcellis Williamson  (Ohio Bobcats.com) Williamson Remembered  (The Post) Bobcats reflect on former teammate’s energy, humor  (The Post) Bobcats remember fallen teammate  (Athens Messenger) Exclusive BobcatAttack.com Multimedia:   Marcellis Williamson

ATHENS, Ohio – Tyler Tettleton connected on two touchdown passes to tight end Zac Clark to highlight the annual spring Saturday at Peden Stadium.

Tettleton completed 11 of 21 passes for 151 yards, while Kyle Snyder was 5 of 12 for 65 yards. Phil Bates has sat out practice this spring while recovering from shoulder surgery.

“They both can play and they have the ability to run this football team and make throws,” Ohio coach Frank Solich said. “They need to keep improving but I like what they’ve been able to do so far. You can see movement and that’s all I need to see at this point and time. … I liked how they handled themselves today. That’s going to be a key for us.”

Ten different receivers caught passes, led by true freshman Landon Smith... <Read More>

Devin Bass
CB/5-10/175/Omaha, Neb./Midland North HS
Rated: Unrated by ESPN; 2 stars (5.2) by Rivals; Unrated by Scout
Offered by: South Dakota, Southeast Missouri State
40 time: 4.52; Bench: 205; Squat: 320; Vertical: 32; GPA: 3.3; ACT: 21
Biography: Played wide receiver, cornerback and running back at Millard North. Picked off 8 passes and had 9 pass breakups as a senior, with 48 solo tackles. Also posted 4 rushing touchdowns and 4 touchdown catches on offense. Named All-Nebraska, Defensive Back of the Year and was a Class A defensive... <Read More>

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Ohio football recruiting class includes 24 players

Solich thinks it could be one of his best in Athens

By Lonnie McMillan / Contributor
Wednesday, February 02, 2011

ATHENS, Ohio – Ohio signed 24 players as part of the 2011 football signing day class, the largest number in several years.

“The kids that we targeted are the kids that we got, and that’s what we feel good about in this recruiting class,” Ohio recruiting coordinator Brian Haines said.

Ohio coach Frank Solich said he was quite pleased with the recruiting class.

“I think this could be one of the better, if not one of the best classes – I believe it is on paper – that we’ve recruited so far,” he said.

Seven of them are on the defensive line, where Ohio loses five scholarship players, including all four starters. The Bobcats’ class also includes five offensive lineman, meaning players in the trenches constitute more than half of the class.

“We... <Read More>

Additional Coverage: Bobcatattack.com Ohio recruit profiles  (BobcatAttack.com)

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Troy racks up more than 600 yards in New Orleans Bowl rout

Trojans build huge lead, deny Bobcats first bowl win

By Lonnie McMillan / Contributor
Saturday, December 18, 2010

NEW ORLEANS - Led by New Orleans Bowl MVP Corey Robinson, Troy rolled to 602 yards in a 48-21 rout of Ohio Saturday night at the Louisiana Super Dome that gave the Bobcats their fifth bowl loss in five all-time games.

Just a redshirt freshman, Robinson broke several game records by completing 32 of 42 passes for 387 yards and four touchdowns.

Tebairus Gil caught three touchdown passes, while Jerrel Jernigan caught one and ran for another. DuJuan harris had 105 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

“It’s clear that we had trouble controlling them from the very start in terms of what they were all about,” Ohio coach Frank Solich said. “They pretty much threw at will, they made plays after the catch and that opened up the ground game for them... <Read More>

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Ohio seeks first bowl win in New Orleans

Troy offense will offer big challenge

By Lonnie McMillan / Contributor
Thursday, December 16, 2010

NEW ORLEANS - Ohio already has made history by qualifying for a bowl game in consecutive years for the first time ever, and now the Bobcats have their sights set on setting a new milestone for the program by winning their first bowl game.

The Bobcats will face Troy, winners of five straight Sun Belt Conference championships, in the New Orleans Bowl at the Super Dome on Saturday night.

"I don't think we could have come to a better city and have the chance to play in a better stadium," Ohio coach Frank Solich said. "You add those two things together and we saw a lot of smiles on our guys' faces when they found out that we were coming down here. Our student body has also responded extremely well. We have busload upon busload of students... <Read More>

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Ohio selected to play Troy in New Orleans Bowl

Bobcats appearing in third bowl in last five years

By Lonnie McMillan / Contributor
Sunday, December 05, 2010

NEW ORLEANS – Ohio earned its second straight bowl game appearance for the first time in school history and will be competing in the postseason for the third time in five years after the announcement that the Bobcats were selected to face Troy in the New Orleans Bowl in the Super Dome on Dec. 18.

"I am elated for our student-athletes, coaches, university and fans," Ohio Director of Athletics Jim Schaus said. "This being our third bowl in five years is a testament to the growth of our football program. New Orleans is a spectacular city, the Superdome is a great football venue and the 18th is a convenient date for Ohio fans. I encourage all Bobcats everywhere to come join the fun if they can."

Troy earned a share of the Sun Belt Conference... <Read More>

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Golden Flashes deny Bobcats second straight MAC Championship Game appearance

Kent State defense dominates in 28-6 victory

By Lonnie McMillan / Contributor
Friday, November 26, 2010

Kent, Ohio – Kent State’s defense dominated Ohio and led the Golden Flashes to a 28-6 victory Friday at Dix Stadium that keeps the Bobcats from advancing to the Mid-American Championship game for the second straight year.

With the loss, in which Ohio (8-4, 6-2 MAC) managed only 183 yards and Boo Jackson turned over the ball four times, Miami wins the outright East Division championship and a place opposite Northern Illinois in the title game next Friday in Detroit.

The Golden Flashes (5-7, 4-4 MAC) dominated line play to beat the Bobcats for the second straight year, sending coach Doug Martin out with a victory in his final game.

Kent State’s defense set the tone early with a touchdown off of a Jackson fumble. Cobrani Mixon got to Jackson... <Read More>

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