Vince Fontaine, a character in the musical Grease, is known for keeping the party going, being that he manned the DJ booth at the fictional Rydell High School’s dance.
Ohio wide receiver Chase Cochran, who played Fontaine’s character while performing the musical in high school, mirrors the same role on the gridiron by rocking Peden Stadium crowds with highlight reel plays.
Cochran, a redshirt junior who is working on reading one book about each United States president, is also a student of history.
“I try not to just do one thing and just focus on sports,” Cochran said. “I like to get interested in all kinds of different stuff, so that’s kind of me.”
Although he shines on the football field, Cochran admitted that while a student at Lebanon High School, he was more nervous for the three musicals he participated in than when he suited up on the gridiron.
“Getting out in front of people and belting out lines and acting was a different beast,” he said.
Cochran has made a name for himself at Ohio because of his ability to complete the big play. This season, he has been on the receiving end of 25 catches for 557 yards.
Ohio coach Frank Solich said Cochran is always a threat to the opposition because of the skills he brings to the field.
“Chase always has the chance to be that type of performer for you with his speed,” Solich said. “One thing that I think he is doing a much better job of this year is going up and getting the ball. I think he has developed better hands and he caught all kinds of passes.”
During last season’s AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl win, he totaled 162 yards and a touchdown. Since, Cochran has continued his high-octane act.
Ohio fans got a taste of that production early this season when he caught a 75-yard touchdown pass on the Bobcats’ first play from scrimmage in their home opener against North Texas.
More recently, Cochran reeled in an 80-yard touchdown reception during the Bobcats’ 56-28 victory against Eastern Michigan.
He credited his success in part to the relationship he has developed with Ohio redshirt senior quarterback Tyler Tettleton.
“I think that we’ve definitely come along even more so from last year, and I thought we came a long way even last year, just progressing as the season went on,” Cochran said. “I think we’re continuing to do that, and I have faith we will continue to do that as the season goes on.”
Cochran said he relishes his role as a playmaker and is happy with his uptick in performance from last season, where he had just 22 receptions for 377 yards and four touchdowns.
“I love it, that’s fine, that’s kind of my role,” he said. “I’m totally fine with that of course. I like to make the plays underneath as well, but I stay calm when it’s time to make those types of (big) plays, and I just go make it happen.”
Tettleton said Cochran is one of the fastest players he has played with and adds a potent dimension to the Bobcats’ offense.
“It’s been great to have him really come around this year,” Tettleton said. “I know a lot of people probably see Donte (Foster), as a threat so (they) probably key on him a lot more. But since Chase has really come around that opens up Donte, and has really allowed us to have a deep-ball threat.”
Foster, a redshirt senior wide receiver, said Cochran’s performance during last season’s bowl game was just a preview of what he could bring to the table this season.
“He (made big plays) against Central Michigan (and) he did that against Eastern Michigan,” Foster said. “He’s just there for the big plays, and he’s making those big plays. Big players make big plays in big games, and he’s really coming down there in the clutch.”
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