What a difference a week makes.
Only seven days after Ohio’s offense scored six touchdowns in the second scrimmage of the spring, the team’s two quarterbacks combined for six interceptions and only one touchdown during Saturday’s spring game.
Returning starter Tyler Tettleton completed seven of 17 passes and threw four interceptions during the scrimmage. Meanwhile, backup Derrius Vick completed 12 of 21 attempts for 85 yards while also throwing two interceptions along with one touchdown.
The stat line for the Ohio quarterbacks was a stark contrast from a week prior, when the two combined for almost 300 yards through the air.
But coach Frank Solich said Tettleton and Vick were not entirely at fault for the poor showing in the passing game.
“I didn’t think our quarterbacks played especially well (Saturday), but I’m concerned with our receivers right now and our ability to break off routes and get open,” Solich said. “We’ve got to come a ways with our receiving crew.”
After losing three of their top four receiving targets to graduation, Solich and Tettleton both said there has been an adjustment with the new group of receivers.
The Bobcats are trying to replace the 117 passes leading receivers LaVon Brazill and Riley Dunlop caught in 2011, as well as another 50 receptions from three other seniors.
“It was just a couple misreads and guys not getting off the cornerbacks,” Tettleton said about the turnovers. “It’s frustrating. The whole spring we showed strides and got better, and hopefully today wasn’t a step back.”
Redshirt sophomore Stephane N’goumou did not record a single catch in 2011, but along with Donte Foster, he led the Bobcats with three catches during Saturday’s scrimmage.
Redshirt sophomore Chase Cochran recorded the longest grab of the day, a 58-yard reception while tight end Art Jordan, who also did not record a catch in 2011, caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Vick.
Vick impressed the coaching staff throughout spring camp, and Solich said Saturday’s performance had little impact on the staff’s outlook for the freshman signal-caller.
“He’s a talented guy, and he’s learning fast,” Solich said. “Throughout spring, he’s been pretty impressive. He’s learned to take fairly good care of the ball. Fall camp will be important for him to learn when to throw the ball away.”
Solich gave credit to the defensive secondary for the offensive struggles, saying that the group may be the best Ohio has had during his tenure.
Of the five players who intercepted a pass during the scrimmage, none recorded an interception in 2011.
“We were just getting jammed up, and guys were running into each other,” Tettleton said. “It’s getting these young guys up and filling those holes. We’re just going to keep getting better from here.”
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