Ohio’s defense may have prohibited Eastern Michigan from converting on any of its four fourth-down attempts in the Bobcats’ 48-42 victory Saturday, but coach Frank Solich would like to see Ohio stifle opponents more, while forcing more turnovers as well.
After recording seven interceptions and six forced fumbles in their first four games, the Bobcats (3-4, 1-2 Mid-American Conference) have not caused any turnovers since they played Wyoming Sept. 22.
“The thing that’s frustrating is we have not produced a turnover in three games,” Solich said. “We haven’t had a forced fumble or an interception in three ball games and we’ve given up eight turnovers in the last three games — 0-8 there is not what you’re looking for. That’s a recipe for disaster.”
The worst MAC team offensively, Eastern Michigan (2-5, 1-2 MAC) racked up season highs with 425 yards, 23 completions, 248 passing yards and 21 first downs against Ohio. The 42 points the Bobcats relinquished to the Eagles was the most they’ve allowed all season.
Changes in offensive line
Sophomore Chris Rodgers earned his first career start at left tackle against Eastern Michigan after impressing the Ohio coaches last week in practices, marking the first game this season that Josh Leuck hasn’t started.
In addition to giving Leuck a break, Rodgers was able to swing from left to right guard to give David Shelby some additional rest as well.
“Chris did a good job,” Solich said. “It was the first time for him to be so active in a game and get so many reps in the game he’ll learn and keep getting better from that and it should be a plus for us.”
Rodgers’ development adds to Ohio’s offensive line depth, which is gelling together after reeling from a string of injuries at left guard and center to start the season. Solich said he thought the unit’s developing cohesion enabled the Bobcats to finally ignite their running game, while keeping the Eagles defense out of the backfield.
“I think its one of the better performances overall by them,” Solich said. “I think we’re settling in a little bit with those changes where guys are getting used to playing with one another I think that’s adding up for us.”
Tricks up their sleeves
It appeared as though the Ohio offense could do no wrong in the first half of the Bobcats’ game against the Eagles as they racked up a quick 28-0 lead. But it was the call for a pass by wide receiver Taylor Price off the reverse option at the end of the first quarter that seemed to have caught Eastern Michigan the most off-guard.
As Price looked for an open target, he found tight end David Carter standing alone in the end zone, resulting in a 22-yard completion for Ohio’s third touchdown of the day.
“It’s been working out like that in practice too, even though everybody knows about it,” said Price, who attributes his arm strength to having played baseball. “I was looking for the run too, but Carter made a great catch. I told him I was going to throw it up to him no matter what.”
And it’s no secret that Solich likes being able to throw wrinkles like that into his offense’s repertoire.
“It just adds a little bit to what you’re all about offensively, and hopefully, we can get a few of those things every game,” Solich said. “They bit on it and Taylor’s got a great arm. He can throw the ball deep and pretty much on the money so if we’ve got a guy running free he can get it to them.”
Impeccable
With two successful field goal attempts against the Eagles, Michael Braunstein now has 11 consecutive field goals as a Bobcat, surpassing former kicker Matt Lasher for the school record.
Braunstein leads the nation in consecutive field goals made with 19, dating back to his 2006 season with Washington. The two longest streaks behind his belong to Arizona State’s Thomas Weber and New Mexico’s John Sullivan, who have made 14 and 12 straight field goals, respectively.
Injury report
Freshman wide receiver Matt Donahue aggravated his thumb injury last week and is most likely out for the year, Solich said… Center Tommy Stuck is questionable to doubtful for this weekend’s game at Toledo with a shoulder injury that caused him to miss the two previous games…Backup linebacker Errik Ejike had surgery on his foot and is out for the season….Fellow linebacker Chris Hall remains out with a broken hand.
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