Under former Nebraska coach Frank Solich, Ohio’s football program finished with a winning record for the past seven seasons, including five years with at least eight wins.
The Bobcats have similar expectations this season, voted to finish second in the MAC East preseason poll, but they were upset by Texas State last week, losing 56-54 in triple overtime as a three-touchdown favorite.
In their season opener, the Bobcats struggled with their inexperienced secondary, surrendering 440 yards through the air and watching the opposing quarterback complete 72.7 percent of his passes. Then there were penalties — lots and lots of penalties. They were flagged 13 times for 141 yards.
But the biggest challenge for the Jayhawks will be slowing down Ohio’s offense and controlling the line of scrimmage. Ohio has an experienced front seven on defense, limiting Texas State to only 2.5 yards per rushing attempt (106 yards on 42 carries).
With redshirt senior quarterback Greg Windham under center, in his first career start, Ohio posted 546 yards of offense, including 393 yards in the air. Windham also ran for 37 yards on eight attempts. He found receivers Jordan Reid (5 catches, 93 yards, 2 TD) and Elijah Ball (4 catches, 50 yards, TD) with some consistency, but also found his running backs out of the backfield.
Running backs Papi White (6 catches, 128 yards, TD) and Maleek Irons (5 catches, 54 yards) proved to be capable targets.
In the backfield, Ohio went with a running back by committee approach. Irons had 62 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 attempts, while Dorian Brown had 64 rushing yards and Papi White added 29 rushing yards and a score.
The Bobcats will likely be without injured running back A.J. Ouellette, Ohio’s leading rusher for the past two years. He left with a foot injury in the first quarter against Texas State and Solich told the media he would be out indefinitely.
Senior receiver Sebastian Smith could also miss the game, according to the Athens Messenger. Smith, the school’s leading receiver last year, injured his groin during fall camp and was unable to finish the second half last week.
It will be the first matchup between the Jayhawks and Ohio since 1967. Ohio won, 30-15.
Interesting note: One of Ohio’s biggest strengths is its continuity. It’s the only school in the country to have the same head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator over the last 12 years.
**FIVE BOBCATS TO WATCH**
————-
*No. 14: QB Greg Windham | 6-1, 215, R-sr.*
————————–
– Made the first start of his career against Texas State and showed off his dual-threat ability, throwing for 393 yards and four touchdowns and running for 37 yards on eight attempts. He completed 28 of his 46 passes.
– Last season, Windham appeared in 11 games and completed 19 of his 40 passes for 298 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. He had 27 carries for 116 yards, averaging 4.3 yards per rush.
– Windham was named the starter on the final day of fall camp after former teammate JD Sprague left the team because of a rib injury.
*No. 23: FS Kylan Nelson | 5-10, 202, soph.*
————————–
– After missing all of last season because of a hip injury, Nelson marked his return in Ohio’s inexperienced secondary with two interceptions and two tackles.
– Nelson played as a true freshman, making an appearance in 10 games. He had 16 tackles (11 solo), recovered a fumble and made an 84-yard kick return touchdown. He didn’t return any kicks last week.
– In the 56-54 triple overtime loss last week, Nelson admitted to The Post that the defense wore down by the end of the game, “I hate to say it, but I think we just got a little tired. I really hate to say it. I thought we were in pretty good condition. We went quite a while. I thought we executed pretty well for the most part.”
*No. 24: SS Toran Davis | 6-0, 206, R-sr.*
————————-
– Was everywhere on the field last week, recording a career-high 17 tackles (team-best six solo). It was the ninth-highest single-game total in program history and the most by a player since 2009.
– The redshirt senior was fourth on the team in tackles last season (59), deflecting two passes and forcing a fumble.
– At strong safety, Davis only has one interception in his career.
*No. 93: DE Tarell Basham | 6-5, 254, sr.*
—————————
– One of the best pass rushers in school history, he only needs one-half sack to take sole possession of first place on the all-time career sacks list. He had one sack last week and has 19 in his career.
– In 2015, Basham made 11 starts at defensive end and led the Bobcats with 5.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hurries.
– The senior from Rocky Mount, Va., recorded 7.5 sacks in his freshman season — fifth highest in a single season in Ohio history — on his way to All-American honors.
– Named to the Ted Hendricks Award watch list, which is awarded to the top defensive end. He was just one of two MAC players to be named to the watch list.
*No. 48: K Louie Zervos | 5-9, 152, R-fr.*
————————
Ohio K Louie Zervos named MAC East Division Special Teams Player of the Week! #BleedGreen #MACtion pic.twitter.com/IRPBt0k8es
— #MACtion (@MACSports) September 5, 2016
– Playing in his first game last week, Zervos set a stadium record with four made field goals, going 4-for-5 with four extra points.
– The redshirt freshman from Tarpon Spring, Fla., was named the MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week.
– Zervos made three of his field goals in the range of 35-45 yards. He missed an attempt from 41 yards.
