Sports
Expectations High for Ohio Football’s Defense in 2016
By: Megan Stamper
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When you return six out of seven starters on your front seven on defense, expectations are you are going to be good. That is exactly what the Ohio University football team thinks of their unit going in to the 2016 football season.
One of the main components of that front seven is linebacker Quentin Poling. Poling was named a captain in 2016 and his leadership and skills show on the field. In 2015, the Bobcats lost all three games that Poling missed due to injury. Poling was named to the preseason First Team All Mid-American Conference Defensive Team. He led the defense with 69 tackles last season along with four sacks and four interceptions.
The front seven may have depth, but that is not the case in the backfield for the Bobcats. They lost both of last year’s starting cornerbacks and only return one starter, safety Toran Davis. Head coach Frank Solich says their young corners are developing well.
“We’ve got talent there. We are going to have to replace some guys and losing your corners is a major factor. That has to be built. But we’ve got good talent there.”
If the front seven can do their job, it will take some of the pressure off of the young backfield. Their first test of the season will come against Texas State, when they kick off the 2016 at home.