Ohio Bobcats: Keys To The Season, Top Game, Top Transfer, Fun Stats
Ohio Bobcats: Key To The 2022 Offense
There has to be a passing game again.
The 2017 offense averaged 7.6 yards per pass and struggled a bit – but the ground game made up for it. After that, the downfield passes were there for three years, interceptions weren’t a problem, and the offense got the production when needed.
Last year, the Bobcats averaged just seven yards per pass had just four touchdown throws in eight games before coming up with six over the too-late two-game winning streak.
The O picked up with Kurtis Rourke started to throw, and while he might not be CJ Stroud, he needs to come up with around 200 yards and closer to eight yards per throw.
Ohio Bobcats: Key To The 2022 Defense
Where were the takeaways?
It all tied together. There wasn’t enough of a pass rush, there weren’t enough third down stops, and teams didn’t have to press all that hard to keep things moving.
The Ohio defense wasn’t able to force enough mistakes to matter and make offenses push.
After coming up with six takeaways in just three games in 2020, and 15 in 2019, the D forced a mere eight turnovers last year with no fumble recoveries over the last seven games.
There weren’t any turnovers in seven of the 12 games and the two against Central Michigan was the only time the team came up with multiple takeaways.
Ohio Bobcats: Key Player To The 2022 Season
DT Kylen McCracken, Sr.
The Bobcats can’t be better without a whole lot more production from the defensive front. More against the run, more plays behind the line, more all-around pressure. The problem is the lack of depth, options, and bulk.
That puts more pressure on the 6-3, 300-pound McCracken, a veteran reserve who saw more work last year with 15 tackles as he helped gum up the works. Now he needs to be an anchor on the nose, and if he’s not, there will be a whole lot of tweaking to do.
That’s also why …
Ohio Bobcats: Key Transfer
DT Dontay Hunter, Soph.
He didn’t get any work in two years at Purdue, but the 6-4, 270-pound size is needed for a Bobcat line that needs as many big options as possible.
A bit of a tweener who can work as a big end or quick tackle, he should find a spot somewhere in the rotation. He might not have had a chance to show what he could do with the Boilermakers, but he was a good recruit – the upside is there.
Ohio Key Game To The 2022 Season
Kent State, Oct. 1
The Golden Flashes didn’t used to be a problem.
Ohio won six in a row in the series, the two didn’t play in 2020, and last year the Golden Flashes were able to break the streak. If this is going to be any sort of a bounceback season for the Bobcats, they have to win the MAC opener with two road games to follow and tough road games late.
Win, and there’s a good chance they’ll be 3-2 before getting Akron with a chance to pass last year’s win total by early October.
Ohio Bobcats: 2021 Fun Stats
– Red Zone Scores: Opponents 52-of-61 – Ohio 31-of-37
– Fumbles: Ohio 16 (lost 8) – Opponents 9 (lost 2)
– Field Goals: Opponents 22-of-26 – Ohio 16-of-24
Offense, Defense Breakdown
Season Prediction, What Will Happen
Ohio Top 10 Players | Ohio Schedule