For those worried about what the ND loss meant for recruiting, it apparently hasn’t changed the minds of those who have already committed. It remains to be seen what, if any, effect it has on potential recruits.
The pressure is on the defense to show improvement. Even if it is against Ohio.
Palko and the offense are the least of Pitt’s worries. The defense was a sieve against Notre Dame by allowing 502 yards, 275 rushing.
The return of senior tackle Thomas Smith and junior linebacker Clint Session should bolster Pitt’s run-stoppers, but several other players were added to the mix this week.
Freshman Mick Williams was moved from linebacker to tackle and is on the traveling roster, while freshman Doug Fulmer switched from linebacker to defensive end.
Another freshman, Gus Mustakis, played his way into the two-deep as a backup end.
“I think their effort was and is tremendous,” Pitt defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads said. “They’re learning. They’re young guys, and they’re trying to capably fill all those four down positions. I think their approach this week has been very blue-collar, and we expect it to be. We know it will be that way.”
The freshmen will join junior Charles Sallet and sophomore Chris McKillop at defensive end, while redshirt freshmen Nick Williams and Corey Davis and true frosh Rashaad Duncan are the top tackles with Smith. Seniors Ron Idoko and Phil Tillman will also play.
Rhoads said Solich’s offense contains some key components from what he ran at Nebraska but is more diverse than just an option attack. He said quarterback Austin Everson runs extremely well for a big guy at 6-2, 222 pounds, while sophomore tailback Kelvin McRae makes the running game dangerous.
I can’t be sure if this isn’t just a bit of puffery about the Ohio running game. Against Northwestern, Ohio had only 62 yards on the ground, on 23 carries. Regardless, the defensive line needs to show it can penetrate and break the blocking.
Meanwhile, Athens and Peden Stadium are preparing for their close-up.
Except tonight’s game will be, nationally on ESPN 2. That’s why those television trucks are here, which is why OU employees swarmed Peden on Thursday morning. They powerwashed the sidewalks, cleaned the bleachers and spruced up the flowers in the North end zone.
Peden needs to look good.
“Being on national television allows us to expose our fans and alumni across the country to the exciting things going on here,” Hocutt said. “It also provides us with an avenue in our recruiting efforts in all sports.”
Added Solich: “It’s going to pay dividends for the university, dividends for our program and, I hope, dividends for the other athletic programs in our system.”
Their actual performance almost seems incidental to everyone but the players.
The Bobcats pass defense was identified as an area to improve during fall workouts, and Ohio’s defense will be tested with another seasoned veteran at quarterback this week from Pittsburgh’s Tyler Palko.
“We really hit those areas hard through fall camp,” Solich said. “Some of it comes down to matchups. Some of it comes down to the fact that we faced an experienced quarterback (at Northwestern) and have to play another one.”
Despite being a large underdog against Northwestern, the Bobcats were disappointed with the loss.
“I like the way they’ve responded,” Solich said. “They’re not pleased with the loss. They’re not pleased with how they played. They want to play well and get better.”
Besides an upset victory, Ohio will also be trying to showcase the university in front of a national audience for the first time in more than 30 years.
“The only way that people will start to find out about Ohio University is to get some national exposure,” Solich said. “People around the country will see us, and hopefully we represent Ohio University in a manner that is going to be a plus.”
The MAC does have instant replay, just so you know.
