Sports
Ohio Offense Reloading for 2016
By: Megan Stamper
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Ohio may have lost three starters on the offensive line and a starting quarterback, but they return plenty of depth at these positions and more for 2016.
Former starting quarterback Derrius Vick is gone, leaving the starting spot to senior JD Sprague. Sprague has had plenty of playing time behind Vick the past two seasons though as Vick battled with injuries. Sprague had a shoulder injury of his own that kept him out of most of spring practices this offseason but was back in time for summer workouts. Head coach Frank Solich says that by looking at Sprague, you may not even know he had an injury.
“He looks good. He shows no signs of it. He’s throwing the ball well, running well. His production has been interrupted by injuries throughout the course of his career, but he has enough experience that we’re hoping that will add up to him having a great year.”
Sprague has plenty of weapons returning as well. Wide receivers Jordan Reid, Sebastian Smith, and Brendan Cope will all be returning targets for Sprague this year. Another threat that will be back is tight end Troy Mangen, who missed 2015 with an ACL injury.
In the backfield, junior captain running back A.J. Ouelette returns as one of the toughest runners in the Mid-American Conference. Papi White will also share carries. They will be running behind an offensive line that despite losing three starters, does return two starters, redshirt senior Troy Watson and redshirt junior Durrell Wood.
Ohio has all the weapons to have one of the most explosive offenses in the MAC. Their season kicks off on September 3rd at home against Texas State.