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Ohio Football Topic
Topic: Defensive improvement
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L.C.
11/2/2022 9:31 PM
First Five Games:
First downs: 28.5
Rush yards: 174.3
pass yards: 386.8
tot yards: 561.2
Points: 40.7

Last 3 games:
First downs: 17.0 -40%
Rush yards: 174.3 -29%
pass yards: 386.8 -49%
tot yards: 561.2 -42%
Points: 18.3 -55%

Is it because the last three teams were the weakest on Ohio's schedule? I don't think that's it. The last three MAC opponents have a combined MAC record of 7-6, while the first two MAC opponents have a combined record of 2-8 in MAC games, so it appears that the last three teams are better than the earlier two.
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bobcatsquared
11/2/2022 10:10 PM
There has to be some reason for such a quick turnaround. My thoughts are that 3 players are partly responsible, although it is obviously due to the play of many more.
1. Keye Thompson: I thought he did not look like the Thompson we saw in 2020 for the first few games this fall. Of course, that should be expected after sitting out 2021. It appears he has shaken off the rust and is returning to form over the past few games.
2. Bryce Dugan: I don't recall seeing #52 on the field much at all early this season except for maybe special teams. Injury? Coaches' decision? However, not only is he seeing the field more and more, he seems to be all over the field and making big plays for the D.
3. Zack Sanders: The transfer from Missouri State is also getting more and more PT in the D backfield and is also involved in many plays throughout the games (despite the 2 major penalties v. UB).

Thompson leads Ohio with 75 tackles with 1 INT; Sanders, despite missing 2 games, is 6th with 38 and 2 INTs; Dugan has 16 tackles with 1 INT despite missing 3 games.
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L.C.
11/2/2022 10:45 PM
I attribute to a couple other things as well, experience with the new defense, and the maturity of a senior laden defensive team. First, this is a very different defensive scheme from what they used in prior years. I think that the more the players use it, the more they understand it, the more confidence they have with it, and the more understanding they have about where the other defensive players will be on the field. That understanding allows them to be aggressive in productive ways, whereas a player who doesn't have complete understanding may try to do things that end up creating other problems.

Second, virtually all the starters on defense are fifth or sixth year players, and I think that being last in the country in defense really stung, and they are determined, first to improve, and second, to end their season winning the MAC. I feel like the Kent game was the pivot point, and that they are becoming an outstanding defense.

Players like Torrie Cox, Jr. returning from injury is another factor.
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MonroeClassmate
11/3/2022 8:31 PM
Kent and Akron both have multiple MAC top shelf receivers that gave the D at that time fits. While during the last three games the defense faced a good one in only Crooms from WMU and his QB was too busy completing passes to the defense.

We will never know but, I have to believe if the Bobcat offense faced the OHIO defense that the defense would be shredded to the tune of about 35-40 points. OHIO still currently ranks last in conference games in passing defense while not having had to face that top rated Bobcat QB/offense like the other teams!
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bobcatgrad
11/3/2022 11:16 PM
MonroeClassmate wrote:expand_more
We will never know but, I have to believe if the Bobcat offense faced the OHIO defense that the defense would be shredded to the tune of about 35-40 points. OHIO still currently ranks last in conference games in passing defense while not having had to face that top rated Bobcat QB/offense like the other teams!
During the postgame interview, Kurtis Rourke said that the defense made it very difficult on the offense to move the ball in the offseason so that he wasn't surprised to see their recent success. Seemed like he was thinking the the defense has returned to their proper form rather than always being so lackluster.
Last Edited: 11/3/2022 11:18:23 PM by bobcatgrad
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bobcatsquared
11/15/2022 10:30 PM
bobcatsquared wrote:expand_more
There has to be some reason for such a quick turnaround. My thoughts are that 3 players are partly responsible, although it is obviously due to the play of many more.
1. Keye Thompson: I thought he did not look like the Thompson we saw in 2020 for the first few games this fall. Of course, that should be expected after sitting out 2021. It appears he has shaken off the rust and is returning to form over the past few games.
2. Bryce Dugan: I don't recall seeing #52 on the field much at all early this season except for maybe special teams. Injury? Coaches' decision? However, not only is he seeing the field more and more, he seems to be all over the field and making big plays for the D.
3. Zack Sanders: The transfer from Missouri State is also getting more and more PT in the D backfield and is also involved in many plays throughout the games (despite the 2 major penalties v. UB).
Huge 2nd half in Muncie from Sanders.
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