Barring an injury, it appeared that defensive end Jameson Hartke would easily become the leading sack artist in Bobcat history.
After a brilliant sophomore campaign in which he racked up 7.5 sacks (fifth all-time for one season) and 13 tackles for a loss, Hartke sat at seventh place on the Bobcats’ all-time sack list with 11.5. He needed just 7.5 sacks in his next two seasons to tie Andre Jackson’s school record of 19.
But last season, opposing offenses keyed in on Hartke and his production dropped dramatically. He had two sacks — a career low — and had just 5.5 tackles for a loss.
The Centerville native currently sits at fifth place on the all-time sack list with 13.5, and is in need of another monster season, similar to his sophomore campaign, if he hopes to break the record.
“It would be nice (to break the sack record),” Hartke said. “I think it would mean a lot. I would like to walk out of here with that type of record, but at the same time I won’t feel cheated if I don’t.”
Making things even worse for Hartke was that defensive line coach Carl Pelini bolted for Nebraska to join his brother Bo’s staff after the 2007 season. Hartke is now going to have to learn a whole new system in his final year as a Bobcat.
Ohio brought in former Colorado State defensive coordinator Steve Stanard to take Pelini’s place. Hartke said that Stanard has a different approach than some of his other coaches, but it is one that he enjoys.
“He actively coaches,” Hartke said. “He’s not a yeller. Don’t get me wrong, he’ll discipline you and get in your face, but at the same time he’s a great coach.
“He knows what he’s talking about, and he’s going to make you do it the right way and do it that way every time.”
As for the transition, Stanard said that he has been impressed with how Hartke has handled the change in defensive philosophy.
“He’s bought into it fast,” Stanard said. “Sometimes when you do things a little bit different and you’re going into your senior or junior year, some habits are hard to break, and he hasn’t had any problem with it. He’s jumped right in.”
Hartke isn’t the only person on the defensive line who has impressed Stanard so far this spring.
Although the defensive line has been hit hard by injuries already this spring, it is also very deep with talent.
Junior Kris Luchsinger (Dublin, Ohio) is coming off an impressive sophomore season, in which he racked up 5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for a loss and junior Conor Reilly (Hudson, Ohio) is also coming off a solid season.
The depth doesn’t end there, though. Sophomores Stafford Gatling (Burlington, N.C.) and Curtis Meyers (Harrison, Ohio) have been impressive in the place of Luchsinger, who is being held out of contact drills because of a bad shoulder, and Reilly, who has been banged up this spring. Stanard also mentioned Dak Notestine (Bellefontaine, Ohio) as a player who could play his way into the defensive rotation.
“I’m really encouraged,” Stanard said. “I think we have a chance to be really solid and deep, too. You know how that goes. You better have (two to three players) deep to last a season.”
Since becoming a full-time starter in 2006, Hartke has seen a myriad of people take the defensive end spot opposite him. In 2006, it was Ernie Hodge, who has since been moved to defensive tackle, and in 2007, it was Reilly and Luchsinger that got the bulk of the starts. With Luchsinger and Reilly battling injuries, he could see yet another new face opposite him when the upcoming season rolls around.
Hartke, though, doesn’t necessarily see that as a bad thing.
“I think there’s a lot of talent on the whole D-line,” Hartke said. “A lot of guys are stepping up this year, and I think any of us can play or anybody can step in at the other side and do really well.”
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