Hawk's arm provides advantage
With all of the injuries suffered by both Ohio quarterbacks, it's hard to distinguish which one should be the starter. Since the spring, both have been given looks and have shared playing time. But ultimately it is Ryan Hawk's arm that gives him the edge over Fred Ray.
It is easy to look at the numbers and think otherwise, but such a comparison would be unfair. Ray has seen much more action because of an elbow injury to Hawk. When Hawk has played, it has often been only sparingly. So one must mostly disregard any numbers this season.
Looking back to when both were healthy in the Green and White game, Hawk lit up the air. He connected for 209 yards on 11-of-22 passing. With speedy receivers Scott Mayle and Anthony Hackett, Ohio needs someone who can get them the ball deep.
Clearly, he has the stronger arm, as evidenced by his three passing touchdowns with an injured elbow this season. Ray has only one in more than twice as many pass attempts. Ray has thrown three interceptions; Hawk none.
Sure Ray is the better runner, but Ohio doesn't need its quarterback to run. Not this year. The Bobcats have given substantial carries to seven different running backs this season, and Hawk is capable of running the ball when necessary.
Considering Hawk actually was in competition with Ben Roethlisberger when he was at Miami shows he has a great arm. It's just a matter of being healthy. Unfortunately for Ohio, the best quarterback ultimately might be who is least hurt.
Ray runs away with position
Ohio is a running team, but with Fred Ray at quarterback the team has its pick of plays, and you know he will get the job done.
Ray has accumulated 831 yards of total offense with a team-high average 166 per game. Only five quarterbacks in the nation have more rushing yards than Ray. He is by far the team's leading rusher with 337 yards. Running back Stafford Owens follows with 168. I mean, really, how many quarterbacks do you see out-rush their running backs?
But not only has Ray wracked up yards, he has put points on the board. He has scored seven of Ohio's 11 rushing touchdowns and accounted for more than a third of the team's 112 total points. Ray's longest touchdown came on a 68-yard option keeper at Iowa State. He broke through on first and 10 and took off, untouched, for Ohio's first score of the game.
True, Ryan Hawk has made some big plays at quarterback this season, as well, and he has been more efficient in passing. But when Ohio needs a score, Ray is the man.
And Hawk isn't the only one who can throw. Ray passed for 215 yards two weeks ago against Western Michigan, giving him his second career 200-yard passing game. It also made him the first Bobcat to throw for 100 yards in three straight games since 1992.
Hawk's performance in last week's overtime loss at No. 16 Northern Illinois showed he is a very capable quarterback. But for a team that is so focused on running the option, Ray is simply the better fit.
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Lonnie McMillan
