Ohio Football: Bobcats facing new challenges ahead of 2021 season
Bobcats have several reliable skill players
It was a difficult task for the Bobcats to ultimately decide on starters for just three games in 2020. Despite some back-and-forth at several positions, the Bobcats found success on offense by averaging 34.3 points per game (25th in the nation). This is a great sample size to determine their value of success and potential in the upcoming season.
Tim Albin will remain the offensive coordinator for the 2021 season in addition to the responsibilities as head coach. The offensive staff is highly experienced and can continue the success from last year to 12 regular-season games.
Ohio found more success running the ball as it averaged 216.7 rushing yards per game (18th in the nation). The Bobcats will need to have a definitive answer to their passing game soon as the season will be just a month and a half away.
Last season, they weren’t able to figure the offensive philosophy of the passing game. Ohio was having a hard time deciding between a reliable quarterback in Kurtis Rouke and a former UNLV dual-threat quarterback in Armani Rogers. Rourke passed for 386 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. Rogers only passed for 48 yards and a touchdown, but he rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.
The Bobcats are still looking to decide on their full-time starter after splitting the quarterback reps last season. They could still play both quarterbacks in the game to face different defensive schemes.
Last season was the first time the Bobcats failed to account for a 1,000-yard rusher since 2016. They return a reliable and efficient running back in senior De’Motre Tuggle. As a backup in the 2019 season, Tuggle rushed for 644 yards and 11 touchdowns on 101 carries. In his first season as a starter in 2020, he rushed for 403 yards and six touchdowns on 53 carries. He averaged 7.6 yards per carry thanks to a combination of speed, excellent pad level, and power. He will be a vocal leader on offense in 2021.
The Bobcats return four of their top five leaders in receiving yards from 2020. Senior receiver Cameron Odom has been a long-time contributor for the Bobcats’ passing offense, accounting for 71 receptions for 968 yards and five touchdowns in the last four years. The Bobcats also return senior receiver Isiah Cox, who caught 39 passes for 663 yards and two touchdowns in 2019. These two receivers will be the main leaders of the Bobcats passing offense, along with Tyler Walton, Keeshawn Tyson, and Jerome Buckner.
Ohio will also return twin brothers Ryan and Adam Luehrman as redshirt seniors at tight end. In 2019, Ryan Luehrman caught 28 passes for 360 yards and five touchdowns.
Concerns arise on the offensive line, but it’s how they will line up that is most causing the most apprehension. The Bobcats return three starters from last season. This was a line that allowed nine sacks in 2020. Fifth-year senior Nick Sink is the most experienced linemen for the Bobcats. He has started at center and left guard in the 2019 season. Kurt Danneker will return as the starting guard and Hagen Meservy as the other starting guard.
They will have Virginia Tech Hokies transfer T.J. Jackson starting as the left tackle in 2021. They will have some competition for the other starting tackle spot between redshirt sophomore Jay Amburgey, senior Brody Rodgers, and other contenders.