OHIO Football
It could not have been written any better
By Corey Ryan, Sports Editor
November 9, 2006 | midnight
It took 60 minutes of game time, 206 minutes of real time, two touchdowns, one field goal and a 17-7 win over Akron after seven previous wins to put those seniors in a surreal position, the MAC championship game.
"It wasn't an easy path that any of us have taken," senior quarterback Austen Everson said after beating Akron Nov. 16. "Things have a way of fixing themselves. Winning and the streak we've been on definitely helps. I think winning does cure a lot of things."
The streak Everson was talking about is the six-game winning streak the Bobcats are riding into the Miami game (Nov. 24). After losing three straight early this season (at Rutgers, at Missouri and home against Bowling Green), even the leaders on the team looked down and out. In the post game press conference after the Bowling Green loss, Everson was near tears.
"You can't really write it any better," Everson said. "To leave your last game at Peden with a great crowd, under the lights, with a win over last year's MAC champion. It feels great. The guys here are willing to work hard and know that we still have to do [the MAC championship] as well."
Back to the numbers, Everson, who has been the Ohio starter under-center for two seasons, has started in 26 games over four seasons. Overall, he is 14-12 as a starter. A career of ups-and-downs, Everson had his break game against Central Florida his freshman season in which he was supposed to red-shirt. In that game he was 4-of-4 for 118 yards passing while rushing for 130 yards on 21 carries. He totaled four touchdowns in the 28-0 Homecoming win. Even though his performance against Akron was not nearly as attractive on paper (6-of-15 for 49 yards through the air and 85 rushing yards on nine carries), it was the little things like not being sacked and not throwing an interception.
Tenacious defense led by seniors
"This is really a talented group of seniors," Solich said. "Credit does go to the previous staff. The other thing I really like about these seniors is the leadership."
The Ohio defense forced three turnovers (one of the Akron fumbles came on a punt, but the Bobcats had a punt formation in where the defensive unit remained in the game). On the first fumble, senior linebacker and team captain Matt Muncy found the end-zone.
Muncy's touchdown was important, but the most important defensive play may have come on the opening Zip drive. Akron quarterback Luke Getsy appeared to be destined with the end-zone as he ripped through the Ohio defense. Going 50 yards, Akron was rolling until another Ohio senior stepped up and made a play. Tyler Russ picked off a Getsy, third down pass, sending a message to Akron.
"Bend but don't break, we made some plays," Russ said. "We were fortunate enough to force some turnovers and get the three-and-outs."
Another senior, cornerback T.J. Wright grabbed the second Bobcat interception in the fourth quarter. Wright's 12th career interception allowed the Ohio offense to burn 1:38 of crucial clock time.
The key to the defense was not giving up the big play, Ohio coach Frank Solich said. All of the defensive backs were stellar in coverage and the green-and-white had a little help from the elements as the wet atmosphere may have caused a few, key Akron drops.
"Our defense continued to play well," Solich said. "I thought Luke [Getsy] wasn't going to throw an incomplete pass the entire game. We started to apply pressure and I think that is what really did it for us."
Coach lives up the hype
"Words can't describe what we've been through," Russ said. "Coach Solich came in here to do this exactly."
With a BCS pedigree and National Championship experience, Solich came to Athens last season to make history. In his short tenure, Solich is 12-10 with wins over Big East foe Pittsburgh last season and Big Ten opponent Illinois this season.
"I feel great about it. I'm very proud of our players and our coaches. Everyone has done a great job. The guys who work the scout teams to the coaches, they've earned it."
<strong>Arch rival Miami still left</strong>
Although winning the MAC has always been the goal of this team, a win at Oxford would be idyllic, especially for the seniors. Everson, Russ and Muncy have never beaten Miami.
"We got another game, one more regular season game left," Solich said.
Ohio will travel to Oxford next Friday, Nov. 24 for a noon kickoff against Miami. The following week (Nov. 30), the Bobcats will play at Ford Field for the MAC championship. Kickoff for the epic match-up against MAC West champion Central Michigan is set for 7:30 and will air on ESPN.
There are three Bowl games with MAC affiliation: the Motor City Bowl, the GMAC Bowl and the International Bowl. Representatives from the Motor City Bowl and the GMAC Bowl were present at the Akron game, though no formal offer was announced for an appearance. No matter the outcome at Miami or Detroit, Ohio will be going to their first Bowl game since 1968.