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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Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) scrambles around the end on a carry in the fourth quarter of the NCAA football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Ohio Bobcats at Nippert Stadium on the University of Cincinnati campus in Cincinnati on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. The Bearcats overcame a 24-7 deficit at halftime to win 34-30, improving to 4-0 on the season.Ohio Bobcats At Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) scrambles around the end on a carry in the fourth quarter of the NCAA football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Ohio Bobcats at Nippert Stadium on the University of Cincinnati campus in Cincinnati on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. The Bearcats overcame a 24-7 deficit at halftime to win 34-30, improving to 4-0 on the season.Ohio Bobcats At Cincinnati Bearcats /

Can new DC Spence Nowinsky improve the defense?

The primary reason for the Bobcats’ woes last season was a defense that allowed 30.3 points per game last season. Akron was the only team Ohio held under 20 points; even Bowling Green scored 21 points against the Bobcat defense. Teams moved the football at will against Ohio’s defense.

The pass defense was 83rd in the country in yards allowed, but that wasn’t the most concerning stat. Teams completed 67.8 percent of their passes against the Bobcats’ defense. Teams might not have had a ton of explosive plays, but they were efficient on a down-to-down basis. Ohio could not get teams off the field on third down (the Bobcats finished 113th in third-down percentage).

The run defense was just as bad as the pass defense. The Bobcats were 109th in rush defense, allowing 4.85 yards per rush attempt. Simply put, offenses were in 2nd and five quite often.

Spence Nowinsky was brought in to rectify these issues. The Redhawks were 4th in the MAC in total defense and second in scoring defense. Miami (OH) was also 3rd in the MAC in third-down percentage. For every issue the Bobcats had last season, Nowinsky’s defense was good in Oxford.

The question is, do the Bobcats have the players? Ohio returns a veteran group led by two of the best linebackers in the conference, Byrce Houston and Cannon Blauser. Hopefully, Purdue transfer Dontay Hunter II can give them some pass rush.

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