Ohio University

Type of Offense: Pro-Style. This offense is a run oriented offense that uses run plays and play action to get defenders out of position for passes in the 15-25 yard range. The tight end is 70/30 blocking versus running routes. Most known for the running plays in the middle, the offense has evolved to a more off tackle and “counter trey” running offense. This is more of the style of professional ranks allowing for a QB with a strong arm to thrive.

Type of Defense: 4-3. Fast OLBs with the WLB being stronger in pass coverage and the SLB being stouter versus the run. MLB is balanced and expected to make most of the tackles, especially versus the run game. A lot of Cover 2 with the MLB expected to get deep (15 yards) on a pass play. Corners on an island playing the edges with help over top. Gap responsibilities on the run game with DL and LB filling gaps and DE normally containing on the edge.

• Run/Pass %: 65-45
• Run/Pass Attempts: 496/272
• Points Per Game: 27.5
• Points Allowed Per Game: 23.8

Key Returning Players:
• Phil Bates, RB: Ran for 519 yards and 3 TDs as well as passing for 178 yards and 1 TD in 2010. He is the returning leading rusher but must step up and become the man in 2011 for it to be a successful season.
• Donte Harden, RB: Ran for 244 yards and 3 TDs to go along with a 20.6 yard kickoff return average making him the leading returner from 2010. Could spilt some carries with Bates but should make an even bigger impact in the kicking game in 2011.

Key Incoming Freshmen:
• Jacob Welter, OL: This college-ready offensive lineman from California should push the current starters to their brink for playing time and he may even get some in 2011. Most likely, he will be a backup this year and play a lot in his final 3 years at the school. 
• Larenzo Fisher, DB: This 3 star DB out of the District of Columbia is speedy and has good size to play the cornerback position in college. If he can make the adaptation to the college game, then he could be in store for a very solid and maybe even remarkable career.

Overall Assessment:
It was a nice change of pace to see perennial cellar dweller Ohio finally step up and make it to a bowl game in 2010. The building blocks are there to be a solid, but not spectacular, MAC program that can compete for bowl berths on a yearly basis. The offense must be a little more solid running the ball and find a replacement for Boo Jackson at QB that is reasonable. On defense, all you can ask for is solid, hard-nosed play and that’s what you got out of Ohio in 2010. Expect that to still be around and the defense to average giving up in the 20-25 points per game range. Overall, there is still enough to pull out a bowl game again in 2011 but it will be hard unless 8 wins are obtained shown by Temple’s lack of bowl game invite in 2010. Expect Ohio to fight till the bitter end and may surprise some and make it back to back bowl games in 2011.