Saturday Blitz
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Can Ohio football be a serious MAC contender in 2022?

By Dante Pryor

Dec 19, 2018; Frisco, TX, United States; Ohio Bobcats head coach Frank Solich and running back Jake Neatherton (27) celebrate winning the game against the San Diego State Aztecs in the 2018 Frisco Bowl at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2018; Frisco, TX, United States; Ohio Bobcats head coach Frank Solich and running back Jake Neatherton (27) celebrate winning the game against the San Diego State Aztecs in the 2018 Frisco Bowl at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ohio football went 3-9 in Tim Albin’s first season as head coach. Can the Bobcats return to their winning ways this fall?

The Ohio Bobcats have not had a season like 2021 in a long time. Former head coach Frank Solich had two losing seasons during his 16-year run in Athens County. Solich retired after the 2020 season, and 2021 looked like a mess. Longtime assistant Tim Albin was promoted to head coach after Solich’s retirement.

Albin took over during the summer of 2021; as a result, the Bobcats went 3-9 and looked in disarray at times. Having a coaching change before fall is brutal, even if the coach taking over has been there as long as Albin. This season is a reset for the Bobcats, with Albin and his staff having an entire offseason to set things in place.

There are some excellent pieces from last season despite the 3-9 record. Albin hired Spence Nowinsky away from Miami (OH) as the new defensive coordinator to bolster a defense that allowed 30 or more points six times last season.

The offense has some pieces to replace, but quarterback Kurtis Rourke returns to continue the Rourke legacy at Ohio. How will the Bobcats fare in the MAC this season?

Here is a look at the offense, defense, and schedule.

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