OHIO Football
Defense dominates offense in spring game
Football wraps up spring season
By Michael Weisman, Senior Sports Writer
April 24, 2007 | 2:31 p.m.
The sun was shining for the annual Green and White spring game Saturday, providing perfect weather conditions for football. With a few thousand fans in the stands, players auditioned for starting jobs, as Ohio’s defense also shined, limiting the offense to 309 yards for both the White and Green squads combined.
The offense did manage to score two touchdowns in the game, both by the White squad, which led to their 17-3 victory. The White squad consisted of the second and third string offenses. The touchdowns were the first of the spring for Ohio’s offense, as they had been held without a touchdown in the first two scrimmages.
“This is the way to go in terms of having spring ball, where the guys are really competing against one another and vying for positions on the depth chart,” coach Frank Solich said. “So we’re not as interested in putting points on the board.”
Both touchdowns drives for the White started inside the Green’s 20-yard line and were set up by the White defense, which consisted of Ohio’s first string defense.
The White squad scored its first touchdown off the lone turnover of the day. Green tailback Josh Abrams, who finished with 40 yards on 15 carries, broke through the White defensive line but was hit by safety Michael Mitchell, forcing a fumble that was recovered by cornerback Mark Parson. Parson returned the ball inside the 20, which led to redshirt freshman Jason Brand scampering 6 yards into the end zone for the White score.
The second touchdown followed a sack on fourth down at the Green 9-yard line, as Green quarterback Theo Scott was sacked by Eric Kenkel and Conor Reilly. After a 2-yard loss, White quarterback Brandon Jones fired a pass to Robert Preston for an 11-yard touchdown. Jones finished 5-of-13 for 15 yards and the score.
For the first time all spring, the quarterbacks removed their “protective” red jerseys, and became fair game for the defense to tackle.
“It’s just nice to get out and finally hit somebody,” safety Todd Koenig said of the unprotected quarterbacks. “We started getting a little frustrated and fighting in the end, but it’s all in good fun.”
Solich and linebacker Taj Henley attributed the fighting to the warm day, not being in game condition and fatigue. Neither seemed concerned the problem would linger past this game.
Henley, on the White squad, did not seem fazed by fatigue, however, as he led the defense with 11 tackles, three for a loss. Fellow linebackers Michael Brown and Jordan Meyers combined for eight tackles and two sacks.
“I like [the linebackers'] ability to run, they’re a very physical group. They do make some mistakes, but they’re young and learning,” Solich said. “They’ll be interesting to watch this year with their ability to run and make plays sideline to sideline.”
Cornerback Julian Posey tied Henley with 11 tackles on the day. The defense combined for five sacks in the game.
“We just wanted to show we’re a smarter defense, a faster defense, and that we’re hungry,” Henley said.
While the defense continues to improve, the offense continues to struggle. Part of the blame can be found in running back Kalvin McRae’s limited action. The Bobcats best offensive weapon touched the ball on the first four plays of the game, but sat out the entire second half. He ended with only five carries for nine yards and a 15-yard reception.
With McRae resting and the running back position solidified, quarterbacks and wide receivers became the focus of offensive position battles.
Sophomore Theo Scott had the strongest performance of the contenders, as he used his athletic mobility to scramble for the game’s longest play – a 44-yard option keeper in the first quarter. Scott finished the day, while playing for both squads, 9-of-16 for 86 yards and only 12 rushing yards as he was sacked multiple times.
“[Scott] will be the type of quarterback that can scramble and make big plays for you, but he’s also got the ability to pass so it’ll be interesting to see how that plays out,” Solich said.
Sophomore Josh Febus, who also played on both squads, went 9-of-22 for 62 yards.
Solich said none of the three quarterbacks, referring to Scott, Febus, and Jones, eliminated themselves from the starting race.
“We needed to see [the quarterbacks] under fire a bit and they needed to get a taste of what it will be like next fall,” the coach said.
Solich added that senior Brad Bower, who has the most experience, would be the starting quarterback at the start of fall practice. Bower sat out the Green and White game due to a bone bruise in his leg that has hampered him all spring. Solich didn’t say the job was solidified but said they won’t take too much time in the fall to choose a quarterback.
“My attitude is…just go out and compete. I want the job as bad as [the other quarterbacks],” Scott said of his chances at winning the starting job. “I need to play hard and try to show the coaches I’m able to take control of this team.”
Sophomore Chris Garrett led the wide receiving corps with three catches for a game-high 43 yards, including a 26-yard screen across the middle, the longest pass play of the day. Garrett, known for his punt returning abilities, played wide receiver much of the game and had multiple screen plays designed for him. Garrett fair caught all punts on coaches’ orders.
Senior Justin Fitzgerald also had three catches, his for 22 yards. Fifteen different Bobcats caught a pass in the game.
Kicker Michael Braunstein, a senior transfer from Washington, kicked for both squads and went 2-of-3 on field goal attempts. Braunstein made a 34-yard field goal for the White squad in the first half and a 33-yard field goal for the Green squad in the second half, but missed a 32-yarder towards the end of the first half. He made both PATs.
Solich said the team escaped the spring game without any serious injuries. Offensive lineman Josh Leuck was shaken up briefly but got up on his own power and Abrams stung his hand in the first half and was limping towards the conclusion of the game, but neither injury was deemed serious.
“I’m really satisfied with the way we ended spring ball,” Koenig said. “I think it’s a great start to start building on next year.”
During the game, both squads wore helmets with a 26 on one side and the Virginia Tech logo on the other. The 26 was to honor the memory of Bobcat soccer player Sarah Merritt who passed away March 21 and the VT logo was to remember the victims of the tragic shooting that occurred at Virginia Tech April 16.
The Bobcats are finished with spring football. Practice resumes in August for the 2007 season.