L.C. WROTE
I don't think it was just a matter of showing up. I think that with Rourke having a strep throat, that limited the play calling somewhat. If he's not 100%, you aren't going to call his number much (QB draws, options, etc). On the whole he played fine, but he didn't have that extra special mode that makes him a special QB, no escapes, no making great things out of nothing, and the result was that the offense just looked vanilla.

The defense played hard, and played much better in the second half. They need to continue to improve, and I think that by the end of the year they won't be giving up many points at all.

As always L.C.'s football intelligence and insights are most welcome on this board. I feel he articulated the the reality of the Pitt game very well.
We lost by a score of 20-10. We were never really out of this game and a healthy Rourke would have made a major difference in the outcome.


GO BOBCATS

I think the better question is why does Ohio not have that "next man up" mentality at this point? Why isn't the depth there? AJ, for all intents and purposes, played since Day 1 on campus. You mean to tell me in those 4 years Ohio hasn't developed a good enough back to replace him? Cmon.

It is always something, but FYI, Ohio was not the favorite coming into this game, they were the underdogs. And they were that for a reason; as one poster aptly said, the difference here with a half decent P5 team is depth.

And, the Pitt loss is not unexpected. With a fairly new offensive line, new receiving corp and running backs, it takes time to mesh. I was afraid of this and this is why I've predicted both a Pitt and a Marshall loss; it takes time for all the new parts to mesh (and news flash-Louisiana ain't a gimme). I think by the time conference play starts, with the bye week before the Buffalo game I'm sure the offense and the defense will be better. A 7-1 MAC season is certainly doable and the Pitt loss doesn't change that at all.

And I understand what GoCats is saying, why can't Ohio have the next man up. Well, I'm sure the running backs will improve. AJ was truly great but I'm sure even he will tell you he was better in his final season than his very first game. And some players aren't easy to replace. Ask Central Michigan after Dan Lefevour, Northern Illinois after Jordan Lynch, etc.

Uhh actually that IS how it's supposed to work. It's called talent development. They don't have to be 1st Team All MAC the first day on the field, but there has to be some continuity.