Bobcats expecting dogfight against Huskies

by Joe Arnold
Staff Writer

A week after facing a Florida offense that returned five starters and 22 lettermen from a season ago, the Ohio football team travels to Storrs, Conn. to take on a Connecticut team that could bear the nickname, "The Young and the Restless."

This season, seven true freshman have seen playing time for the Huskies, including tailback Terry Caulley and fullback Deon Anderson

Caulley leads the team with 198 yards on 43 carries this season. A true freshman, he averages 99 yards per game, and Anderson, also playing in his first year, has provided the blocking.

Playing a team whose starting tailback is a true freshman is a lot different than a team whose quarterback is taking his first college snaps this season, Ohio defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter said.

"I don't think it takes a lot of experience to play tailback," he said. "It takes a lot of natural ability. I told our players that other than Florida's backs, this is the next best back we've played against so far this year."

Last week, Caulley posted a career high 136 yards on 26 carries in a 24-3 win against Buffalo. The Bulls are one of four Mid-American Conference teams the Huskies play this season.

Whether it is with upperclassmen or underclassmen, Connecticut is simply using what works, Ohio coach Brian Knorr said.

"In this day and age, sometimes you can get freshman in there and play and do a good job," he said. "These guys obviously have played well."

Caulley, a former Offensive Player of the Year from Maryland, possesses the speed that has Ohio linebacker Dennis Chukwuemeka a little bit concerned -just a little bit, though, he said.

"He runs about a 10.5 in the 100 (meter dash)," Chukwuemeka said. "Evidently he must be pretty good if he's starting as a true freshman, but he's just a normal back to me."

Chukwuemeka's concern does not stop with Caulley. Connecticut quarterback Dan Orlovsky averages 196.7 passing yards per game and has split time with Keron Henry, who anchors Connecticut's option duties.

"It seems like everybody we play has a quarterback who can zing it, and (Orlovsky) is no different," DeRuyter said.

                               Ohio         Connecticut

Total offense                  204.7               307

Rushing offense               147.3               97

Passing offense               57.3         210

Points per game               18            6.7

Third-down conversion      26%           25%