The Bobcats return six starters on offense and five on defense from a 2016 team that finished 8-6. They lost by one point to Troy (a team that smoked UMass) in the Dollar General Bowl. Most pundits have them contending for the MAC championship. So far Ohio is 3-1 with wins over Hampton, Kansas (second year in a row) and Eastern Michigan (in two OT's). They lost to Purdue 21-42.
On offense they have A.J. Ouellette. He missed all of 2016 with an injury. Ouellette led the Bobcats in rushing in 2014 and 2015. Ouellette has been MAC offensive player-of-the-week twice in four games. He's gone 58-343 85.8 yards/game 5.9 yards/carry and 2 TD's. Slowing down Ouellette will be the first priority for the UMass defense. Nathan Rourke has been the primary QB. He's had 52-80-632 65% 158 YARDS/G and 5 TD's. He's thrown zero INT's.
The Bobcats have been doing it with defense. Ohio has held four opponents (two of them Power Five schools) to 463 rushing yards and 3.9 yards/carry. The Bobcats have allowed 23.5 points a game and have been scoring 37.3. SR LB Quentin Poling has 12 UT 16 AT 26 TT 3.5 TFL.
Ohio is a solid team that does not make mistakes. They have a bowling-ball RB and a QB with a 65% completion rate. The Bobcats control the clock and have no INT's. UMass will have their hands full on Saturday.
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UMass will honor the 1972 Bowl team with the retro helmet decals. I really like the design and it's the one I use for my avatar.
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Matty Vautour says the UMass defense has come together the last two games.
Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" has a preview of the game.
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Congrats to Bryton Barr for his Gold Helmet award for his play at Tennessee.
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The Post says Ohio closes its non-conference with winless UMass.
The Athens Post also says the Bobcats need to keep an eye on Adam Breneman.
Ohio safety Javon Hagan likes to steal opponent's towels.
The Bobcats CB Bradd Ellis has gone from walk-on to starter.
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All for Tennessee says the UMass scare was meaningless.
SB Nation says Tennessee's win over UMass might the most frustrating victory yet.
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