Rob Hardin / Chief Photographer / rh124104@ohiou.edu

Ohio wide receiver Lavon Brazill stretches out for a pass during warm ups  Aug. 4.  The Bobcats will start regular season play on the road against Wyoming Aug. 30.

Vocal leader. Everybody says it. But Ohio senior safety Michael Mitchell doesn’t even know what the fuss is about: It’s just the way he plays.

“I’ve always had a lot of energy,” Mitchell said. “It’s fortunate that me being me gets everybody ready.”

Last week, the Bobcats opened up training camp, and last season is in the books. Injuries and roster changes were major factors in the Bobcats’ .500 season last year, but Mitchell likes the look of the defense so far throughout camp.

“Everybody was kind of in and out last year,” Mitchell said. “But we know who the starters are this year, so now we’re at the point where we just come together, be able to gel and bring that to the season.”

Lee Renfro, junior linebacker for the ’Cats, can tell the difference between the 2007 and 2008 defensive squads.  

“I think the biggest difference right now is the attitude,” Renfro said. “I’m really impressed on how the cornerbacks and safeties are breaking to the ball, and the pursuit has been really great.”

Time together on the football field can really show improvement of team chemistry, and the Bobcats’ linebacking core has been together for a year and a half.

“Now that we’ve gotten through the spring, a lot of the guys are catching on to the concepts, and I think the defense is just playing really well,” Renfro said.

Injury Report
Jameson Hartke has been sitting out of contact drills, but he has not stopped preparing for the season. He is jogging during practices, running through and over tackling dummies, but wants to be out on the field competing with his teammates.

“It’s tough,” said the 6-foot-4 senior defensive end. “I’ve never been hurt in my life, never missed a game, never missed a practice.”    

Hartke is making up for his lost time by studying game film, conditioning and helping the younger players get acclimated to the defense.

After having shoulder surgery three weeks ago, Hartke is confident he will be ready to go come Aug. 30 against Wyoming.

“I feel like it’s perfect, it’s normal now. They won’t clear me until next week. It’s smart not to rush things,” Hartke said.

Unfinished Business
One date that is circled on Ohio’s schedule is the first contest at Wyoming as the Cowboys came into Peden Stadium last season and snatched a last-second victory.  Ohio held a two-touchdown lead going into halftime, but allowed four Cowboy touchdowns in the second half.  Mitchell doesn’t recall the memory fondly.

“That’s personal,” the senior safety said. “They got us. They snuck it in on us here, but we’ll be ready to play four quarters in the mountains. That’s all I’m going to say about that.”

“It’s a brand new year,” coach Frank Solich said yesterday after practice. “There’s no way we can get that one back, but our concentration is on them.”

Going to the Shoe
Things will get tough in the early going for the Bobcats. After a trip out west to Wyoming, they will face national powerhouse Ohio State in Columbus.  

Sophomore cornerback Julian Posey said the Bobcats will have to play a great game in order to stay on pace with the Buckeyes.

“You can’t go in there thinking that you can just walk into their house and beat them,” Posey said. “You have to play a great game. You have to be disciplined. You have to come in there with enthusiasm. You can’t be scared. You have to be ready to play.”  

Easier said than done, but when asked about the game itself, Posey could only smile and answer: “Surprise, surprise.”