The Bobcats have a quarterback controversy after Derrius Vick returned to practice Monday.
There was a quarterback controversy before the year began and it lingered into the season after two were used against Kentucky and Marshall, but it went away after Derrius Vick suffered an injury week four against Idaho.
Heading into the ninth week, it’s brewing again.
After a pair of disappointing losses, Ohio has momentum and confidence following its second Mid-American Conference victory. The Bobcats are also regaining their health, as Vick returned to practice Monday.
Who will start against Western Michigan has yet to be determined, however.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback JD Sprague started the past four games and improved his quarterback efficiency rating each week, but has completed less than half his pass attempts in MAC play.
Sprague finished 17 of 37 for 197 yards and a pair of touchdown passes Saturday against Akron while adding an additional 68 yards on the ground.
Aside from Vick’s health in practice this week, coach Frank Solich said who starts in Kalamazoo, Michigan, could be based on how well he thinks Sprague has been leading the offense. He continued to say whichever quarterback is playing at a higher level will likely receive the nod under center.
“Sometimes a guy that is injured that’s ready to practice comes back, can practice, goes through things and is ready to go,” Solich said. “Then some things can come into play with some injuries and a guy will take a step back, so he may not be ready that week, but is gaining on it and can be ready for another week. All of that enters into it.”
Vick, a redshirt junior, has also started four games and completed 62 percent of his pass attempts. He’s thrown four touchdown passes compared to Sprague’s three in seven appearances, too.
The Bobcats captain led them to their first MAC win to begin the year at Kent State, but didn’t complete any of his six pass attempts the next week. Vick returned to form by completing 18 of 29 passes and throwing a touchdown week three against Marshall and helped the Bobcats jump out to a 17-0 lead against Idaho, but hasn’t seen the field since.
The Bobcats’ pass offense ranks 11th out of 13 teams in the MAC with 215 yards per game. Ohio’s quarterbacks have also thrown the second-fewest touchdowns, ahead of only Eastern Michigan, which has played one fewer game.
However, both quarterbacks are able to move the offense with their arms and legs, as each is averaging more than four yards per rushing attempt. Regardless of who starts Saturday, the Bobcats offense will hope to claim another MAC victory and remain in the mix just one game out of first place.
“The good thing is that both guys have shown the ability to play very well, so when we get both of them ready to go will give us two quarterbacks who have a lot of experience and are very comfortable playing, and that we believe in,” Solich said.
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