Caleb Troop

-  Unfortunately I was not able to fly up to Detroit for Ohio’s bowl game on the radio network as I celebrated Christmas in St. Louis in my bed with a fever.  But I’ll share a few thoughts from watching the game and I’ll begin to look ahead to what 2010 may bring ‘Cats fans.

-  When you consistently lack a running game on offense an entire year it means your quarterback has to be great—and that was way too much to ask of essentially first-year starter Theo Scott.

-  It’s interesting to see how Ohio played after each of its losses this season.  The ‘Cats played poorly but escaped North Texas with a double overtime win in week two.  After a good showing in that 34-23 loss to Tennessee, the Green and White again escaped Bowling Green by holding on late.  Ohio’s worst loss of the year—20-11 to Kent State—was followed by another escape-like performance in the ‘W’ in front of Ball State.  Ohio did not escape Marshall, as we found out.

-  Ohio’s opponents winning percentage in 2008: 47%.  In 2009: 41%.  You can’t deny the fact that an easier schedule has led to more ‘W’s.

-  The ‘Cats are now 0-4 on ESPN.

-  Which was more of a head scratcher: Rick Minter going for it on fourth-and-one at Ohio’s 4-yard line late in the second quarter, or Frank Solich going for it on fourth-and-one at Marshall’s 25-yard line in the early moments of the third quarter down 21-7?

-  Punter Matt Schulte’s 2009 line: A 36.5 yards per punt average and two separate suspensions.  The guy is more an embarrassment to the program than he is an asset.  Then again, punters do not grow on trees.

-  While I realize punting is more than just about yards booted—hang time and coffin-corner punts are great, too, obviously—it’s still worth noting that 36.5 average puts Schulte 96^th of the 98 FBS punters that qualify for the statistic.

-  Think Noah Keller likes Ford Field?  33 tackles between two games this season in Detroit.  Is he worth the price of admission or what?  Scary thing is, his effort versus Marshall was arguably his third best game of the year, after outsmarting the triple option from Cal Poly and slowing down the Central Michigan offense.

-  Speaking of studs, Marshall’s Mario Henry sure impressed.  Kid can play and may continue to do so in the NFL.

-  Ohio started the game 0-8 on third down conversions, and finishes 3-14.

-  Tailback Donte Harden is one player that I just cannot seem to figure out.  One week he’s making players miss left and right, the next he is running with his head down and shoulders scrunched up.  There was not a ton of optimism heading in to 2009 with the running corps, and I don’t know if there is any more going in to 2010.

-  Defensively, there is a TON to like about next year.  How many teams in the MAC return their top interior cogs on the line of scrimmage and a 155-tackle guy at middle linebacker?

-  Tough way for Lee Renfro and Patrick Tafua to go out—not only the loss, but I’m sure both would be the first to admit it was not their best individual performance either.

-  It will be interesting to see who fills that SAM linebacker spot played by Errik Ejike and Shannon Ballard next year.  While Ballard is back, he may be needed more as a natural cornerback, and his run-stopping skills are less than ideal.

-  Ohio needs better production from its tight ends next year.  Period.

-  Heck of a year, David White.  Your stability up front will be missed.

-  Speaking of the offensive line, that group should be just as strong next year, if not better.  Losing White and Chris Rodgers are blows, sure, but not insurmountable ones.

-  Here’s a tell-tale stat: the Thurdering Herd ran the ball on first down 22 of 25 times.  Wow.

-  Of their 46 total first and second down plays, Marshall ran it 37 times.

-  This story about the struggles of NFL kickers this season makes me wonder two things: 1. How easily forgotten the outstanding field goals unit was for the Bobcats this year and 2. Is it too early to predict Matt Weller will be playing on Sundays in a few years?

-  Here’s a good story on a good guy, L.J. Flintall.

-  I hope everyone is having a great holiday season with family all over Bobcat nation.  Now it’s time to turn our attention to Bobcat basketball.

-  Much more to come.

Filed under: 2009 Bobcat Blog, December '09 Blog Notes |