Last football season presented quite a rollercoaster year for the Ohio defense.
At its best, it allowed just three points over the course of two games early in the season. At its worst, it saw three straight Mid-American Conference opponents put up an average of 41 points in back-to-back-to-back blowout losses in November.
It was that up-and-down season that gave coaches and players plenty of evidence showing what needed to be improved, and coaches and players showed up to spring practice four weeks ago and have worked tirelessly ever since.
“I think our effort and our aggressiveness have been good, and that’s a big key for us,” defensive coordinator Jimmy Burrow said. “We’ve talked a lot in the offseason about finishing plays out and being physical. I think we’re on track to have a great year in turnovers. It’s something that we’ve emphasized, and the guys have done a good job at creating those.”
Ohio returns many prominent players on defense in the upcoming season, including its two leading tacklers and sacks leaders from one year ago.
Linebacker Ben Russell and safety Josh Kristoff returns to practice after leading the team in tackles last season, while defensive lineman Tarell Basham returns from his Freshman All-America campaign in which he picked up a team high of 7.5 sacks.
Those heavy-hitting defenders will be key for the Bobcats in stopping the run in 2014, something Burrow has addressed as being one of the most important aspects of spring practice. Ohio’s run defense was seventh of 13 MAC teams last season.
“We’ve definitely stepped up the tempo from last year,” Basham said. “We’ve stepped up the hustle and the effort, and just tried to get every man to the ball. It’s hard on you at first, having to get in shape. But once everyone’s gotten into, I feel like it’s coming together really nice.”
The Bobcats hope that an improved run defense will assist in improving their first down defense, and help create more second- and third-and-long situations for opponents.
“We’re just trying to improve our technique,” Burrow said. “Hopefully, we can be a little more aggressive on first down. I think the guys have bought into knowing what didn’t work last year and what did work, and trying to make the corrections in order to have a better defense next year.”
Another key element of spring practice has been the observation of potential replacements for Travis Carrie, a cornerback and return specialist who graduated after last season. Redshirt juniors Devin Bass, Devin Jones and Ian Wells have all shown promise so far in being able to step in and fill that hole in the secondary.
Fans will get a chance to see improvements in action in just a few days, with the Green and White scrimmage coming up Saturday, a day players up and down the roster have looked forward to since the start of practice four weeks ago.
“We’re really excited,” Russell said. “Last year, the young guys didn’t get to do too much, so this gives them an opportunity to show themselves, and show how they can produce on the field once the season starts. I’m excited to see what they can do.”
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@_TonyWolfe_
