The Bobcats practiced Tuesday morning for the eighth time during fall camp. It was conducted in periods outside at Peden Stadium, with a total of 26 periods over two hours and 45 minutes. It was the fourth day with full pads. Here are The Post’s observations:

Attendance:

Absent: Elijah Ball (season-ending injury), Tyler Tupa (leg), Griffin Hites (leg), Austin Conrad (foot), De’Vante Mitchell (undisclosed), Zach Burks (undisclosed), Javon Hagan (non-football illness), Austen Pleasants (non-football illness), Juan Watkins (arm), Brian Arp (undisclosed).

Limited: Hagen Meservy (shoulder), Mason Bernhardt (undisclosed), Dante Ruozzo (undisclosed).

Notes

Hagan and Pleasants returned to practice, but neither wore pads or a helmet. They just stayed with their own position groups and gave some veteran advice.
There were a few new injuries discovered at the beginning of practice: Watkins and Arp both are undisclosed, except Watkins had his right arm in a sling.

Observations:

Sights and Sounds

The only scout at practice Tuesday was from the San Diego Chargers.
When the offensive linemen were running sprints at the end of practice, coach Frank Solich challenged them to run into him. It was a joke, but one of the lighter parts of the day.
For the first time in four days, there was a turnover forced as Jamal Hudson intercepted Quinton Maxwell. He wore the turnover belt when he was off of the field.
Sook Center update: Workers installed street drains in either side of the academic center. It should make the concourse flow better when it rains during those mid-week games.

Passing offense

Though one of the longer practices of the camp to date, •Nathan Rourke saw minimal time throwing the ball. It may be because the running backs had some of the most carries of camp, it’s probably because he threw it quite a bit yesterday.
Rourke was 10 of 15 in four periods — two team and two 7-on-7 periods. He completed passes to Andrew Meyer (five), Cam Odom (two), DL Knock, Papi White and Isiah Cox (one each).
On the day, Rourke had one true touchdown pass. It came in the first 7-on-7 period to Knock. The premise of the drill was to score a touchdown in the fewest amount of passes possible.
Rourke continues to have a knack for finding Meyer. They spent some time together talking on the sideline for a bit while the second team was getting in reps. They may be one of the better quarterback-wide receiver tandems in the Mid-American Conference this season. They connected on two touchdowns last year.
Odom, Ouellette and Meyer each had a drop from Rourke. His two other incompletions were off an overthrow and throw away. No break ups or deflections.
Maxwell, meanwhile, was 18 of 27 for the day with an interception to Hudson and a touchdown to Willie Cherry.
Of the nine incompletions from Maxwell, six came off of dropped passes from wide receivers. The other three came off of break ups, two from Cameron Gunnells.

Running backs

A.J. Ouellette had six carries on the day in live team periods. He’ll obviously be the No. 1 back for the Bobcats this fall after rushing for over 1,000 yards last year.
Still, the Ohio offense will be reengerized with the return of Maleek Irons. He finished practice Tuesday with four carries. He’s a bit like former running back Dorian Brown, but he’s built more like Ouellette. Irons has good speed, can run through a line and break a few tackles.

Defensive notes

In a live team period among the first teamers the defense could see how they stand against the potent Bobcat offense. They’ll see more Friday morning when a full scrimmage is scheduled.
In the eight play period, the best play was made on an Irons run. He was stopped on the right side of the field by Alvin Floyd, and couldn’t have picked up more than two yards.
In the last team period of the day among first and second teamers, Rourke was forced out of the pocket on what would be a sack. He scrambled for a few yards, but a contingent of defensive linemen and linebackers would’ve easily hit him if he wasn’t wearing a non-contact jersey.

Special Teams

In today’s allotted special teams period, the focus was on punt returning and blockers making room for the returner. It was useful and put the pads to work.
For the second straight day, placekicker Louie Zervos hit a 52-yard field goal in between team periods. The Bobcats hope they won’t have to relay on him for points, but it will be a useful weapon for them.