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[Joe Collins | WOUB]

Ohio Football Holds First Fall Scrimmage

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – With three weeks until the 2021 season opener against Syracuse, the Ohio Bobcats held their first team scrimmage of the fall Saturday morning.

“As far as the first scrimmage, I think [it went] pretty good on both sides of the ball,” first-year head coach Tim Albin said.  “I thought the guys had really great energy being day eight of camp. I like the group.”

One of the shining spots in the scrimmage was the play of fifth year quarterback Armani Rogers.

After only three games in his first season at Ohio, Rogers has shown great strides of improvement both running and throwing the ball.

Ohio fifth year quarterback Armani Rogers stretches his arms prior to the Bobcats' first fall scrimmage on August 14, 2021 [Jack Demmler | WOUB]
Armani Rogers stretches prior to Ohio’s fall scrimmage. [Jack Demmler | WOUB]
“I think his knowledge of our system, he’s there,” Albin said. “He is able to operate more efficiently and faster and we are pleased about that.”

“Being here last year, I came late and I had to learn the playbook,” Rogers said. “I feel I did a great job learning the playbook last year but now it is more of a second nature.”

One of Rogers’ highlight plays of the scrimmage came towards the end when he connected with redshirt junior tight end Alec Burton in the end zone.

“I saw the matchup,” Rogers said.  “I just liked the matchup over there and I decided to take the faith on them.”

Another area where Ohio excelled was the play from the the running backs.

The Bobcats saw touches from O’Shaan Allison, Walter Willbon III, Sieh Bangura, De’Montre Tuggle and Jake Neatherton. The use of many running backs showed the depth at that position.

“They are all talented,” Albin said. “It is a deep room.  There is going to be headaches down the road in terms of who goes in in what series.”

The Bobcats’ next scrimmage will take place on Aug. 21 at Peden Stadium.  It is set to be open to the public.