The Bobcats hope 2014’s growing pains will lead to a successful 2015 campaign.
Optimism and experience were two of the major points Monday afternoon at Peden Stadium for Ohio’s football media day.
Despite coming off their first season without a bowl appearance in five years, the Bobcats were quick to move on and show that last season growing pains will translate to 2015 success.
Here are a few takeaway points from Peden…
Reevaluating
Coach Frank Solich said he encourages change. As a result, it shouldn’t appear too surprising when he and his coaching staff reevaluated the way the program runs, in all aspects. One of the first things he noticed was the regularity in which his players sustained injuries.
“We looked at everything,” he said. “From what we’re doing in the weight room, to how we’re practicing, to the length of our practices, to how we’re going to practice, what kind of shoes we’re going to wear in practice.”
Some of the new adjustments stem from interactions from other schools and their programs. Solich has traveled to Columbus four to five times to watch Ohio State and coach Urban Meyer’s methods.
Solich liked a stretching program Meyer has implemented and said the Bobcats have welcomed the new change. Meyer got the program from Chip Kelly, the Philadelphia Eagles coach.
“We have reached out to a number of different schools, to a number of coaches,” Solich said. “Myself reached out to a number of coaches just wanting to grab information across the board that would maybe have a chance to make us better.”
Monte Kiffin, a former Super Bowl winning defensive coordinator, visited the team for two-and-a-half days and offered some assistance. Tennessee’s coach Butch Jones, Minnesota coach Jerry Kill, Duke coach David Cutcliffe and Michigan State offensive coordinator Jim Bollman have been in communication with the Bobcats’ coaching staff. Ohio plays at Minnesota on Sept. 26.
Running back roulette
Similar to the starting quarterback position battle, the Bobcats haven’t come out and directly named their starting running back.
Offensive coordinator and running backs coach Tim Albin said he loves the competition and the different styles the personnel offers the team.
“I can’t see a better group in our conference than what we’ve got,” he said.
Sophomore A.J. Oullette, who was the starter in 2014 until he got hurt, said it’s been healthy competition helping the offense.
“I mean, all six of us go in there every day and try to beat each other out,” Oullette said. “But we also respect each other. And if it’s every other rep, we’re not trying to take someone else’s rep because we have to learn. If one of us (goes down), any one of us has to step up.”
“Special” teams
During a condensed breakdown of offense, defense and specials teams, Solich referred to latter as, yes, “special.”
“We have everybody in place to be special on special teams,” Solich said. “From our kickers to our long snappers to our punters, to the speed the guys have to cover kicks, the return guys and their ability to be breakaway type of players. I think that will play a huge role in what all we’ll be able to get accomplished this season.”
It’s a clichéd statement, but special teams was critical in 2014. A third of Ohio’s wins (the Bobcats went 6-6) were decided on field goals in the last play of the game. Senior redshirt kicker Josiah Yazdani converted field goals at both Kent State and Miami to send the Bobcats home with “walk-off” style finales.
