Bobcat Attack - Ohio Football

Ohio Football Topic

Topic: Nathan Rourke

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Ted Thompson

11/1/2017 10:53 AM

Stopped counting the number of times I said "that's a huge play" after a Rourke play last night.

Looking at the Ohio record book:

- Rourke has 16 rushing TDs, second on the single season list to Kalvin McRae's 19

- Rourke has 16 TDs scored, tied for third on the single season list to Kalvin McRae's 20

- Rourke has scored 96 points this season, 8th on the single season list to Matt Weller's 123 points

- Rourke is responsible for 29 TDs this season, second on the single season list to Tyler Tettleton's 38

Nationally (after last night's game)

- Rourke is responsible for 186 points, second to Lamar Jackson's 194

- Rourke has 16 rushing TDs, second nationally to Devin Singletary's 18

- Rourke has 16 total TDs, second nationally to Devin Singletary's 18

Rourke is second in the MAC in total QBR

2017 Mid-American Conference Leaders

RK	PLAYER	PASS EPA	RUN EPA	SACK EPA	PEN EPA	TOTAL EPA	ACT PLAYS	RAW QBR	TOTAL QBR
1	Logan Woodside, TOL	47.8	2.2	-7.4	2.7	45.6	295	80.0	76.6
2	Nathan Rourke, OHIO	21.2	31.2	-9.2	4.1	47.3	318	79.3	71.9
3	Jon Wassink, WMU	30.4	8.1	-5.3	1.1	33.9	251	74.3	71.5
4	Tyree Jackson, BUFF	19.4	11.8	-4.3	1.4	28.3	201	75.2	68.1
5	Gus Ragland, M-OH	19.3	5.1	-8.8	3.7	19.2	263	59.5	51.1
6	Brogan Roback, EMU	29.6	-3.8	-8.4	2.7	20.0	370	52.2	47.1
7	Thomas Woodson, AKR	22.1	-3.3	-9.9	5.7	14.6	339	50.7	44.6
8	Marcus Childers, NIU	12.7	3.3	-6.4	-0.3	9.3	232	49.9	38.3
9	Shane Morris, CMU	11.1	-1.7	-5.1	2.9	7.2	369	43.7	38.2
10	Jack Milas, BALL	0.5	0.9	-6.5	-0.5	-5.6	183	27.5	21.3
RK	PLAYER	PASS EPA	RUN EPA	SACK EPA	PEN EPA	TOTAL EPA	ACT PLAYS	RAW QBR	TOTAL QBR
11	James Morgan, BGSU	-0.6	-1.6	-7.1	0.1	-9.1	253	27.9	21.1
12	George Bollas, KENT	-5.0	0.5	-6.2	3.2	-7.6	200	26.9	19.0

Glossary

* Season Leaders: Minimum 20 action plays per team game.
* All-time data reflects 2004 onwards.
PASS EPA: Expected points added on plays with pass attempts.
RUN EPA: Expected points added through rushes.
SACK EPA: Expected points added (lost) on sacks.
PEN EPA: Expected points added on penalties.
TOTAL EPA: Total expected points added.
ACT PLAYS: Action plays.
RAW QBR: Raw Total Quarterback Rating, which values quarterback on all play types on a 0-100 scale (not adjusted for opposing defenses faced)
TOTAL QBR: Adjusted Total Quarterback Rating, which values the quarterback on all play types on a 0-100 scale adjusted for the strength of opposing defenses faced.

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Kevin Finnegan

11/1/2017 10:58 AM

Have we ever had a first team All-MAC QB? Will we this year for the first time?

Also, man, he'd be a dream fantasy football player. Last night alone, his numbers would've been eye-popping.

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Brian Smith (No, not that one)

11/1/2017 11:12 AM

What impresses me most is his preternatural feel for the pocket, where pressure is coming from and knowing the perfect escape every time. He makes some dumb throws, but he makes up for it with everything else he does.

He's also the first Ohio quarterback I remember who values making plays over being safe. That's going to drive us nuts at times, but I think it's how you build an offense that can score 40 points per game.

Last Edited: 11/1/2017 11:18:05 AM by Brian Smith (No, not that one)

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Ted Thompson

11/1/2017 11:19 AM

finnOhio wrote:expand_more

Have we ever had a first team All-MAC QB? Will we this year for the first time?

Also, man, he'd be a dream fantasy football player. Last night alone, his numbers would've been eye-popping.

In the Solich era, Tyler Tettleton is the only QB to make an All-MAC team. He was 3rd team in 2011.

The last Ohio QB to be named First Team All-MAC was Sammy Shon in 1981.

Last Edited: 11/1/2017 11:33:45 AM by Ted Thompson

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OUVan

11/1/2017 11:28 AM

Ted Thompson wrote:expand_more

finnOhio wrote:expand_more

Have we ever had a first team All-MAC QB? Will we this year for the first time?

Also, man, he'd be a dream fantasy football player. Last night alone, his numbers would've been eye-popping.

In the Solich era, Tyler Tettleton is the only QB to make an All-MAC team. He was 3rd team in 2011.
The last Ohio QB to be named First Team All-MAC was Andy Vetter in 1977.

My memory is pretty foggy but didn't Sammy Shon win MAC Offensive POTY?

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OUVan

11/1/2017 11:29 AM

Brian Smith wrote:expand_more

What impresses me most is his preternatural feel for the pocket,.

100% agree.

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Ted Thompson

11/1/2017 11:33 AM

OUVan wrote:expand_more

Ted Thompson wrote:expand_more

finnOhio wrote:expand_more

Have we ever had a first team All-MAC QB? Will we this year for the first time?

Also, man, he'd be a dream fantasy football player. Last night alone, his numbers would've been eye-popping.

In the Solich era, Tyler Tettleton is the only QB to make an All-MAC team. He was 3rd team in 2011.
The last Ohio QB to be named First Team All-MAC was Andy Vetter in 1977.

My memory is pretty foggy but didn't Sammy Shon win MAC Offensive POTY?

Not sure about that but he was first team All MAC QB in 1981. Missed that.

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Mark Lembright '85

11/1/2017 12:44 PM

OUVan wrote:expand_more

Brian Smith wrote:expand_more

What impresses me most is his preternatural feel for the pocket,.

100% agree.

And remember, he's only started 7 games so far in his young college career.

This could be one heck of a ride.

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J.B.Hoy

11/1/2017 1:13 PM

I remember when I first watched Nathan’s highlight films. He was running for his life most of time and escaping from ridiculous situations. My thought was that he was playing against somewhat weak opponents and how would this translate to D1 defenses. I hoped that the Ohio line and our running backs/receivers would allow him to lessen some of the Houdini act. Then we’d see how good he really is.

Early on he was still attempting some of those scrambles (running for his life) but now he’s settled down – pocket presence without most of the madness. His decision making improves weekly and he seems to learn from mistakes.

This kid is in his first year of the system. I’m glad he is a Bobcat.

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OUVan

11/1/2017 1:27 PM

I thought the play of the game was when the score was tied 28-28 (I think) and the Cats were facing 3rd and 15+ late in the 3rd. Miami had just tied the game and had the momentum. Rourke stepped up and hit Alex Meyer for a big first down around the 50. That seemed to ignite the team. But that play was a "Holy Cow" moment for me because of how quickly he read the pass rush and moved to the perfect spot and then threw a strike to Meyer. Three plays later we had the lead for good.

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Andrew Ruck

11/1/2017 1:29 PM

He is an absolute gem. Yes, a great feel for the pocket, that "eyes in the back of his head" feeling like Aaron Rodgers. He finds the hole on the ground very well. He uses his vision well and doesn't just fixate on 1 receiver. And of course, he is an accurate thrower.

I am so impressed with him, in fact, that I must ask in lieu of the Jaaron Simmons situation...would he be a candidate for a graduate transfer after his Junior year?

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Ted Thompson

11/1/2017 1:36 PM

Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more

He has never redshirted. So unless he could complete his degree in 3 years, I would say no.

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Andrew Ruck

11/1/2017 1:38 PM

Phew, that is relieving. I wasn't sure what his history was.

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L.C.

11/1/2017 2:49 PM

Rourke is proof that a QB can come to Ohio, succeed, and get national attention. If Rourke has the ability to succeed in the NFL, he'll get their attention, and he already has the attention of the CFL.

Next week we will see how he can do against Toledo. I'm cautiously optimistic.

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Ohio69

11/1/2017 2:53 PM

Man, we finally have that QB that just beats you. You aren't sure exactly how, but he just does.

(We had it for a stretch of game with Tettleton but then that all imploded in an ugly fashion.)

Gonna be fun watching this guy the next few years.

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OhioCatFan

11/1/2017 3:01 PM

It appears that Rourke is very coachable, and that he learns from his mistakes. He's a real student of the game. And, he started playing football kind of late. I've forgotten the details, but did he play any American football in Canada, or only once he went to live with a relative in Alabama? This may be something like only his fourth year in any kind of organized football program. He's got a lot to learn, but he seems eager to learn as much as he can and seems a quick study. I'm very high on this kid.

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cincybobcat99

11/1/2017 3:03 PM

Ohio69 wrote:expand_more

Rourke's season reminds me a lot of Tettleton's Sophomore Season (2011). Then for some reason (injuries?), they tried to turn Tettleton into a pocket passer...it didn't work out so much. It will be interesting to see how Rourke develops, one of his biggest strengths is keeping his eyes downfield and throwing on the run.

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Robert Fox

11/1/2017 3:10 PM

OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more

I thought he played football in Canada then moved to Alabama and continued to play. Working off memory of someone's post on BA from when he was recruited, so I could be wrong.

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Valley Cat

11/1/2017 3:11 PM

I never imagined I would see another QB run for more Td's in a season than Kareem Wilson or another Bobcat run for more TD's than Kalvin. Both are happening and the kid has like seven starts.

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bshot44

11/1/2017 3:15 PM

L.C. wrote:expand_more

Man ... might be jumping the gun a little on the NFL talk, huh?

Even the national attention?

I haven't seen or heard one blip about him nationally anywhere.

That's not a dig on him at all ... I've LOVED what he's done ... but let's not get ahead of ourselves. That might come down the road in a few years ... but right now, he's a really nice QB in a nondescript league at a nondescript school.

But he's OUr guy ... and that's good enough for me. No need to make him out to be something he just isn't .... yet.

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shabamon

11/1/2017 3:34 PM

He's only a sophomore, so pump the breaks on national attention. He has areas where he can stand to improve, but he also has time and potential. His game reminds me of Dan LeFevour, and I think that is his ceiling.... and that's a good thing.

Last Edited: 11/1/2017 3:35:25 PM by shabamon

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Kevin Finnegan

11/1/2017 3:59 PM

I think the national attention talk is warranted...if he can stay healthy. He's a fantastic runner, but that also subjects him to hits. So far, he's avoided that big hit, but if he continues to run the ball, his and our luck may run out. Vick, Sprague, Tettleton, Jackson, and Scott...it seems like for the last ten years, we've seen our QBs go down at some point with injuries.

What's interesting is that he didn't come here as a running QB. He had only three rushing TDs in JUCO last year I believe, and something like seven his senior year of HS. He was more that pocket passer, but now seems to be a dual threat.

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L.C.

11/1/2017 4:11 PM

I think his playing style fits the CFL better than the NFL, which is why I said that IF he has the talent to get to the NFL, he will be able to. That's far different than saying that he does have the talent. We don't know that yet, and won't know that for awhile. I did predict when he was recruited that he might be that good, and Monroe has reserved the right to get back to me on that if Rourke turned out to get a flop.

As for the CFL, those teams are limited to a few Americans each, and everyone else has to be Canadian. Rourke is Canadian, so he's a natural fit. Note that Tettleton did get a CFL tryout, but wasn't good enough to use one of those precious slots for Americans. Rourke, as a Canadian, even if he turns no better than Tettleton might still find a spot in the CFL.

Changing the subject slightly, to something we can agree on, I think we're all grateful that he chose Ohio instead of his other offer, which was from Akron.

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bshot44

11/1/2017 4:13 PM

finnOhio wrote:expand_more

I think the national attention talk is warranted...

What warrants national attention?

What has he done to compare to, hmmmm, let's say Jordan Lynch who was a pretty nationally relevant QB in the MAC.

Or even Matt Johnson at BG recently?

Rourke is a really nice QB at Ohio, but he hasn't exactly lit the world on fire.

He just surpassed 200 yards in a game passing for the first time since early September.

I feel like I'm being put in a position to bash the kid ... and I don't want to.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE what he's done thus far.

But to say he deserves national attention is drinking the same green kool-aid our friend Bcat2 used to chug from a growler

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Sam bobcat

11/1/2017 4:17 PM

bshot44 wrote:expand_more

finnOhio wrote:expand_more

I think the national attention talk is warranted...

He just got national attention by putting on a show on national tv.
So he deserves all the attention he's getting in my opinion.