Sports
Ohio Bobcats Practice & Press Conference
By: Nathan Wiseman
Posted on:
Practice
The Ohio Bobcats landed in Montgomery, AL on Tuesday and hit the practice field one last time on Friday, Dec. 18. Quarterback Derrius Vick took few snaps, giving J.D. Sprague and Greg Windham more time under center. Running back Papi White was back in football gear along with Daz Patterson. Linebacker Quentin Poling was practicing as well. The same scheme in long sideline passes to Sebastian Smith and having Patterson line up in the slot was all coach Frank Solich showed to media. The offensive line is back at full health after center Lucas Powell had a minor ankle injury against Ball State. After having over three weeks of preparation and trying to get back to full strength, the Ohio Bobcats are finally fully healthy. Kickoff for the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl is set for 4:30 CT/5:30 EST in Montgomery, AL at the Cramton Bowl.
Press Conference
One major question heading into the Raycom Camellia Bowl was who would start at quarterback for Ohio. Coach Frank Solich answered the lingering question by officially naming J.D. Sprague the starting quarterback at th bowl game press conference.
Ohio head coach Frank Solich, Appalachian State coach Scott Satterfield, and select players addressed the media on Dec 18, one day before Ohio takes on Appalachian State in the second Raycom Media Camellia Bowl.
One major focus for Ohio’s defense on Saturday will be defending Appalachian State’s triple option offense, a type of scheme they haven’t seen all year.
“We spent a great deal preparing for that but they also run a lot of stretch plays,” Solich said.
Solich noted that the Mountaineer defense also presents a variety of challenges. “They present a lot of zone coverage and zone drops. That’s why they don’t allow a lot of big passing plays.”
Ohio’s defense will face one of their toughest challenges this season in Appalachian State running back, Marcus Cox. Cox is the all time leader in career rushing yards per game with a 111.0 average.
Solich said the key to slowing him down will come down to not letting him get one on one.
“He’s tough to slow down. We have good team speed and need to limit the explosive plays,” Solich said.
Papi White will suit up for the Bobcats for the first time since October after suffering a knee injury.
Daz Patterson noted he’s excited to have his teammate back on the field for the bowl game. “We can run, catch screens, or you can send us both down field.”
Ohio is used to participating in bowl games having been here 7 of the past 11 seaons. However, the bowl experience is completely new for Appalachian State who are competing in their very first bowl game.
Satterfield noted that the key to earning their first bowl game victory will be to make Ohio one dimensional. “We’ve got to stop the run and make them a passing team. This game will come down to who can run the ball the best.”
Senior safety Ronald Blair said their team identity is that they play hard, play great defense and are a hard-nosed type of team.
“We want to be the first team to win a bowl game.”