Sports
Ohio Football Notebook: Quarterbacks Step Up In Vick’s Absence
By: Eric Singer
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Ohio’s home opener with Idaho on Saturday was a tale of two quarters. The first quarter featured some successful drives from the Bobcats offense, jumping out to a 17-0 lead.
The second quarter was much different, highlighted by one play.
With just over 11 minutes left in the second quarter, Idaho linebacker Marc Millan dove and hit Derrius Vick on at his right knee as Vick threw a pass. Millan was penalized for the hit.
Vick appeared fine, however, getting up after the hit and moving on to the next play. But Vick began limping after each of the next two plays, and appeared in obvious pain as he left the field after a touchdown.
Not long after leaving the field, Vick was carted from the bench into the locker room, where it was later known that he would undergo an MRI the next day and would miss the remainder of the game.
After getting the MRI results back, it appears that Vick avoided a serious injury, as Solich elaborated on Monday during a conference call that would miss Saturday’s game against Eastern Illinois, but would be on a week-to-week evaluation after that.
Vick showed up to practice on Monday, walking with crutches and his right knee wrapped and wearing a brace.
Sprague Ready To Step In
Throughout the spring, summer, and fall camp, Vick and J.D. Sprague had been locked in a battle for the starting quarterback spot, which Vick ultimately won just one week before the season began.
Even though he was disappointed in losing the competition, Sprague didn’t get down on himself, and instead used it as more motivation.
“Whenever I get my chance I’m going to be ready,” Sprague said. “I know when I get in there, I can do what I can do.”
With Vick now out for a few weeks, Sprague finally gets his chance.
When Vick went down in the game Saturday, Sprague felt for his friend and position mate. But he knew he couldn’t dwell on the emotions because he now had a job to do.
“[Derrius] is a friend, but at the same time, once I see him go down, I have to be mentally ready to go in and do my job,” Sprague said.
Sprague has played in three of Ohio’s four games this season, seeing extended time against both Kentucky and Idaho. He has completed 54 percent of his passes, and thrown for 344 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing for 56 yards on 17 carries and one touchdown.
Starting center Lucas Powell believes the offense won’t miss a beat with Sprague directing the offense.
“We have faith in all of our quarterbacks,” Powell said. “We believe whoever is back there at any given play is going to lead us to the end zone, and to a MAC Championship.”
More Responsibility For Windham
With the change at the top of the quarterback depth chart brought change down the rest of the chart as well, as Greg Windham slides up into the backup QB role.
Windham, a redshirt sophomore and former three-star prospect, has seen very little action this season, playing in two games of mop-up duty, completing just one of his two pass attempts for six yards.
For the most part, Windham has participated as a scout-team quarterback at practice, and seen limited reps in practice as the No. 3 quarterback.
With the bump up the chart, Windham says it won’t affect his mindset as he prepares throughout the week.
“Every day, I come out here and get reps, and when I get in I still have to perform,” Windham said. “It’s no different, because I always have to be ready to go in, I just have to be prepared at any given moment now.”