Hustle Belt - 2015 Preseason MAC Football NewsMAC Football, MAC Basketball, MAC Recruiting, MAC Baseball and all of the other #MACtion hijinks in between - hustlebeltblog@gmail.comhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50387/hustle-fav.png2015-08-30T13:30:00-04:00http://www.hustlebelt.com/rss/stream/78715022015-08-30T13:30:00-04:002015-08-30T13:30:00-04:00Who can dethrone the king?
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<img alt="The Huskies take the field against Arkansas last season" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VrRvXzrlHg36VxnT-678nhkwN_M=/0x0:4006x2671/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46993450/usa-today-8121414.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>The Huskies take the field against Arkansas last season | Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Huskies will look to rush their way to Detroit for a sixth straight MAC Championship game.</p> <p>Last season was supposed to be a "rebuilding year" for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/northern-illinois-huskies" class="sbn-auto-link">Northern Illinois Huskies</a>. After all, <span>Jordan Lynch</span> was gone, there was no clear-cut starting quarterback, the defense was going to be worse after losing <span>Jimmie Ward</span>, and it was finally going to be Toledo's year to win the MAC. Apparently the Huskies didn't get that memo. They weren't supposed to win 11 games, let alone the MAC Championship Game, and yet...they did.</p>
<p>Well this season it's more of the same. Despite losing just a handful of players and returning the vast majority of their starters, the Huskies once again AREN'T predicted to win the MAC West...in fact they're not even supposed to be second. Most polls have NIU finishing third behind Toledo and Western Michigan.</p>
<h3>Schedule</h3>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><b>Date</b></td>
<td><b>Team</b></td>
<td><b>Time (ET)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sept. 5</td>
<td>vs. UNLV</td>
<td>7:30 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sept. 12</td>
<td>vs. Murray State</td>
<td>3:30 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sept. 19</td>
<td>@ Ohio State</td>
<td>3:30 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sept. 26</td>
<td>@ Boston College</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oct. 3</td>
<td>@ Central Michigan</td>
<td>3 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oct. 10</td>
<td>vs. Ball State</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oct. 17</td>
<td>@ Miami</td>
<td>2:30 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oct. 24</td>
<td>vs. Eastern Michigan</td>
<td>3:30 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><br></td>
<td>BYE</td>
<td><br></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nov. 3 (Tue.)</td>
<td>@ Toledo</td>
<td>8 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nov. 11 (Wed.)</td>
<td>@ Buffalo</td>
<td>8 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nov. 18 (Wed.)</td>
<td>vs. Western Michigan</td>
<td>8 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nov. 24 (Tue.)</td>
<td>vs. Ohio</td>
<td>7:30 pm</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The Huskies start with a couple of home games that they should win with relative ease. Then on September 19th the Huskies take on the <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Ohio State Buckeyes</a> who, you might remember, just won the first ever CFB playoff this January to become National Champs. A week later they head to Boston College to take on the Eagles before starting MAC play.</p>
<p>Anytime the Huskies take on a P5 team there's a hopeful-optimism from the NIU faithful that they COULD win...the Ohio State game does not have that feel to it. However, the Boston College game does. While I think it's safe to say most fans have the Ohio State game down as a loss already, NIU could realistically march out of Boston with a 3-1 record as the Eagles are inexperienced and will be coming off of a big conference game against Florida State.</p>
<p>The next week, NIU opens conference play against the only MAC school that has beaten the Huskies in the regular season over the past five years: the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/central-michigan-chippewas" class="sbn-auto-link">Central Michigan Chippewas</a>. After CMU, the Huskies head home for Ball State and the Battle for the Bronze Stalk. On October 17th, NIU will go to Miami to play the RedHawks before returning to Huskie Stadium to take on EMU for homecoming on October 23rd.</p>
<p>But it's Tuesday, November 3rd and Wednesday, November 18th that you need to mark on your calendar. Toledo will host NIU on the 3rd and Western Michigan will head to DeKalb on the 18th. These are the games that will most likely determine which team from the West will head to Detroit - and the Huskies look to make it back there for the sixth consecutive year.</p>
<h3>Head Coach: Rod Carey</h3>
<p>Rod Carey enters his third full season as NIU's coach with a stellar record of 23-6, including a 15-2 mark against MAC opponents. The regular season has been great to Carey, as he is 23-2. But unfortunately he hasn't fared so well in post-season play, going just 1-4 between bowl games and MAC Championship games.</p>
<p>His offensive attack has been called a little predictable, and maybe so, but it has worked none-the-less. In his two seasons the Huskies have averaged over 35 points per game and 480 total yards per game.</p>
<p>Defensively NIU has gotten better under Carey as well. Last season the Huskies gave up just 228.5 passing yards per game, that's nearly 40 yards less than in 2013 when NIU had Jimmie Ward, who went on to be a first-round pick in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">NFL draft</a>.</p>
<p>Before NIU, Carey was the Offensive Coordinator for Wisconsin-Stout from 2000-2006, the Offensive Line coach at Illinois State in 2007 and then at North Dakota from 2008-2010. He joined the Huskies in 2011 as the O-Line coach. In 2012, he began the season as the O-Line coach, quickly became the Offensive Coordinator, and ended the season as NIU's head coach. His first game was a big one - the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/orange-bowl" class="sbn-auto-link">Orange Bowl</a> against Florida State.</p>
<h3>Five key players</h3>
<h5>1: Drew Hare, QB</h5>
<p>The Huskie offense will live and die with Hare. He'll need to be as efficient this season as he was last, if not more so. He needs to develop a better deep ball and see if he can get more big plays out of this offense. He has the talent around him to do so.</p>
<h5>2. Kenny Golladay, WR</h5>
<p>Golladay has the potential to do great things in the MAC, where defense is an after-thought to offense. His skills and size should make him a prime target for Hare, especially in the redzone, and his speed should carry him the rest of the way.</p>
<h5>3. Perez Ford, DE</h5>
<p>Ford is a huge factor in deterring the run game and getting to the quarterback quickly. His speed and strength make him a very dangerous pass rusher/run stopper...which he'll need to continue this season.</p>
<h5>4. Joel Bouagnon, RB</h5>
<p>Bouagnon will need to make the most of starting this year, as he has some big shoes to fill. NIU has always been a run-heavy offense, which leads to easier passes for Hare. Bouagnon will need to make sure that the Huskies rushing attack doesn't take a step back.</p>
<h5>5. Tommylee Lewis, WR</h5>
<p>Lewis might not be the biggest or best receiver, but he is the fastest. Watch for NIU to use him in multiple ways (jet sweeps, quick screens, kick returns, ect). He has explosive abilities and can make most defenders miss.</p>
<p>How Hare, Bouagnon, and Lewis go, so goes NIU's offense.</p>
<h3>The Huskies' Strong Suit</h3>
<p>In a word, depth. NIU has a ton of depth and experience returning on both sides of the ball.</p>
<p>On offense the Huskies return seven starters, including their junior QB <span>Drew Hare</span>. Last season Hare beat out <span>Anthony Maddie</span> and <span>Matt McIntosh</span> to win the starting gig in week three. He proved to be a very efficient player, making very few mistakes. Completing just under 60% of his passes for 2322 yards, 18 touchdowns and just two interceptions, Hare also added 900 rushing yards and eight more scores on the ground. He might not have the big-play ability of Jordan Lynch but he does put the Huskies in a position to win games.</p>
<p>NIU did lose <span>Cameron Stingily</span>, <span>Da'Ron Brown</span>, and three starting linemen but should be prepared to deal with those losses.</p>
<p>Stingily will be replaced by a committee of running backs (<span>Joel Bouagnon</span>, <span>Keith Harris Jr</span>., <span>Draco Smith</span>, <span>Jordan Huff</span>, ect). Bouagnon is the most experienced back remaining, as he totaled 655 yards and five touchdowns on 113 carries last season. And at 6-2, 226 pounds, he's nearly as big and bruising as Stingily was...just faster. Harris, Huff, and Smith have all seen time as well but have only combined for 657 yards between them, so expect Bouagnon to lead the way. Also, expect to see a few newcomers this season as well, like <span>D.J. Brown</span> or <span>Marcus Jones</span></p>
<p>The loss of Da'Ron Brown might seem like it would make one of the biggest impacts but don't forget <span>Tommylee Lewis</span> returns for his senior season. Lewis is one of the fastest players on the field and can hurt you in three ways: rushing, receiving, and kick returns. Along with Lewis, NIU also returns <span>Juwan Brescacin</span> and <span>Aregeros Turner</span> (who finished second and third last season in yards, receptions, and TDs) and <span>Chad Beebe</span>, who will be back this season after breaking his arm during MAC Championship Game. Beebe was fourth on the team in receptions and yards last year.</p>
<p>The Huskies also have a few new receivers who are poised to do big things in DeKalb.</p>
<p>Kenny Golladay, a 6-4 junior transfer from North Dakota, has quickly made a name for himself. In two season at UND, he snagged 99 passes for over 1300 yards and nine touchdowns. After redshirting last season, he's developed a good rapport with Hare and the other QBs and can do big things.</p>
<p>NIU also brings in Spencer Tears, a 6-1 freshman out of Oak Lawn, Illinois. In high school Tears was a four-star recruit and ranked the 48th best WR by ESPN. He garnered offers from schools like Indiana, Syracuse, Louisville, Purdue. Originally he committed to Nebraska but last June he decommitted from the Huskers to join the Huskies.</p>
<p>Much like the offense, the Huskies bring back most players from a year ago. In fact, the Huskies return eight starters on a defense that only allowed 25.6 points per game last year.</p>
<p>Five of the six leading tacklers come back this year, as only <span>Dechane Durante</span> is absent (however, if <span>Rasheen Lemon</span> remains suspended, it will be four of six).</p>
<p>Senior safety <span>Marlon Moore</span>, NIU's leading tackler last season, will continue to lead the secondary. Moore tallied up 99 tackles, 3.5 TFL, three pass breakups, had a pick, forced two fumbles and recovered another.</p>
<p><span>Paris Logan</span>, a senior CB, will be matched up against the opponents best WR, as he is the best coverage cornerback NIU has. Last season Logan had 77 tackles and was second on the team with three interceptions. He also 15 pass breakups (over a THIRD of all breakups NIU had last year) and forced and recovered a fumble.</p>
<p>Senior Boomer Mays and junior <span>Sean Folliard</span> (and possibly Lemon too, as he's still listed on <a href="http://www.niuhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/niu-m-footbl-mtt.html" target="_blank">NIU's official roster</a>) return to patrol the middle of the field. Mays had 75 tackles and was tied for second in TFL, with nine. He also added a pass breakup and a forced fumble. Folliard was right behind Mays with 65 tackles and eight TFL but he also had 3.5 sacks, two pass breakups, two QB hurries, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.</p>
<h3>Unknowns</h3>
<p>While most of the starting players return, both the offensive line and defensive line have a few question marks.</p>
<p>The Huskies did lose three linemen to graduation. And, while NIU still has some talent there with Andrew Ness and Aidan Conlon, the other three starters have yet to proven for a long period. <span>Andrew Ness</span> will still be starting at center...something he has done every game for three seasons. That's right, since 2012 - an incredible stretch of 42 consecutive games - Ness has been the one snapping the ball. Much like Ness, <span>Aidan Conlon</span> has played every game since 2012 too.</p>
<p>The good news, however, is that NIU has used a rotating squad of linemen over the years, so even though Ness and Conlon are the only full time starters remaining, the new starters all have playing time. <span>Josh Ruka</span>, the other guard, played in all 14 games last season and 12 games the year before. Same can be said of <span>Levon Myers</span> and <span>Lincoln Howard</span>, who both played in every game at tackle last season.</p>
<p>So it's not like the Huskies are going in blind, it's just that these guys are not as inexperienced compared to the very talented linemen of the past.</p>
<p>The defensive line is the same way. The main force is <span>Perez Ford</span>, an explosive DE, that will anchor the Huskies D-Line that . Last year he had 57 tackles, was second on the team with nine TFL (tied with Mays) and five sacks, had five QB hurries, broke up three passes, and lead the team with three forced fumbles. While Cameron Clinton-Earl, <span>Ben Compton</span>, and William Lee all have playing time in the past, they are by far the weakest part of an otherwise very solid defense.</p>
<h4>TL;DR: Season Outlook<br>
</h4>
<p>NIU returns a lot of talent and has a very manageable schedule. Sure, they play Ohio State and travel to Toledo and CMU (who is apparently NIU's Kryptonite), but they have the depth and skill to win.</p>
<p>The Huskies have a target on their back...but they also have a chip on their shoulder. The past five seasons NIU has won the West, and yet, every year (with the exception of 2013) it has been Toledo or Western Michigan that have been favored to win.</p>
<p>So as we start this season and we get to hear once more how "this year is Toledo's year" and how NIU can't possibly win the MAC West (agian), the Huskies will hopefully ignore that memo too and just do what they've done so much of over the past five seasons: Win. The Hard Way.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2015/8/30/9177601/2015-football-preview-schedule-niu-huskiesDave Drury2015-08-28T13:30:01-04:002015-08-28T13:30:01-04:00BGSU goes for a three-peat in the East
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Iol3xXNcCUjjOn3StGEnRyhz6u4=/0x0:4251x2834/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47032348/usa-today-8083420.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Will a potent offense be enough to carry the Falcons to a third straight east division title and another MAC Championship Game? </p> <p>The last 24-months have been a period of accomplishment for the Bowling Green Falcon football program. They have won back-to-back Mid-<span class="sbn-auto-link">American</span> Conference east division titles, a MAC Championship, and a bowl game.</p>
<p>The media and other prognosticators are predicting that success will continue in 2015, as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/bowling-green-falcons">Falcons</a> bring back all eleven starters on offense. All of those players are experienced veterans that have played a big part in the Falcon's accomplishments the past two years.</p>
<p>Now, whether or not the Falcon defense can stop anybody this season is another matter altogether. In fact, even with all of its expected offensive prowess, it will likely be the defense that determines just how far they can go in 2015.</p>
<p>Last season was a true rollercoaster ride for the Falcons. It started horribly as they lost the opener to Western Kentucky, 59-31. Two days later it got even worse when it was announced that starting quarterback <span>Matt Johnson</span> would be lost for the year with a hip injury he suffered late in that opening game.</p>
<p>The highlight of season came two weeks later, as Johnson's replacement, <span>James Knapke</span> led Bowling Green to a thrilling 45-42 come-from-behind home win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crimsonquarry.com/">Indiana Hoosiers</a>. Once in MAC play the Falcons rolled through their east opponents and locked-up the division title with two games left in the regular season.</p>
<p>Suddenly disinterested or having lost their edge, the Falcons ended the regular season with yet another loss to their arch rival Toledo, and then an ugly home loss to a mediocre Ball State team, 41-24.</p>
<p>Bowling Green ended the year with an 0-4 record against teams from the MAC west division. That record included a lopsided 51-17 loss to Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship Game. They did manage to save the end of the season from being a total disaster with a 32-28 come-from-behind win over South Alabama in the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl.</p>
<p>The Falcons finished the year 8-6 overall and 5-3 in the MAC. With a brutal non-conference schedule this year and a suspect defense, it will be interesting to see if the Falcons can avoid another thrill-ride season. Buckle your seat belts Falcon fans!</p>
<h4><b>Schedule:<br></b></h4>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><b>Date</b></td>
<td><b>Team</b></td>
<td><b>Time (ET)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sept. 5</td>
<td>vs. Tennessee (Nashville)</td>
<td>4 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sept. 12</td>
<td>@ Maryland</td>
<td>12 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sept. 19</td>
<td>vs. Memphis</td>
<td>3 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sept. 26</td>
<td>@ Purdue</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oct. 3</td>
<td>@ Buffalo</td>
<td>3:30 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oct. 10</td>
<td>vs. UMass</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oct. 17</td>
<td>vs. Akron</td>
<td>3 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oct. 24</td>
<td>@ Kent St.</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><br></td>
<td>BYE</td>
<td><br></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nov. 4 (Wed.)</td>
<td>vs. Ohio</td>
<td>8 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nov. 11 (Wed.)</td>
<td>@ Western Michigan</td>
<td>8 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nov. 17 (Tue.)</td>
<td>vs. Toledo</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nov. 24 (Tue.)</td>
<td>@ Ball State</td>
<td>7:30 pm</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>A scheduling quirk has left Bowling Green with seven road games and only five home games in 2015. They will open the season against the University of Tennessee at L.P. Field, home of the NFL's Tennessee Titans. It took several unusual happenings for this game to materialize.</p>
<p>First, the Falcons were left with a hole in their schedule after South Carolina State backed out of a contract to play a game at Bowling Green. Then, the Volunteers found themselves in a similar position when the University of Alabama at Birmingham announced they were dropping their football program at the end of last season. The Falcons and Vols then agreed to the neutral site game, although one can argue that Nashville is hardly a neutral site in this situation.</p>
<p>The non-conference schedule gets no easier for the Falcons after the opener with games against Big Ten Conference opponents Maryland and Purdue, as well as Memphis, who finished 10-3 last year.</p>
<p>The MAC portion of Bowling Green's schedule also has a killer back end. The Falcons will travel to Western Michigan, come home to play rival Toledo and then end the season on the road at Ball State.</p>
<p>There is a very good chance the Falcons will be a better team this season but will end up with a worse record than last year.</p>
<p></p>
<h4><b>Head Coach: Dino Babers</b></h4>
<p>Dino Babers enters his second season leading the Bowling Green program. His first year at the helm can best be described as mixed results. He came in with a lot of fanfare and inherited a loaded team fresh off a championship. Yet the team underachieved in part as a result of those lopsided early season losses and the end of season nose dive. But, how do you criticize a coaching job where the team beat a Big Ten opponent, won a division title and a bowl game...all with a quarterback that had previously completed only four passes in his career?</p>
<p>So is the glass half empty or half full with Coach Babers? We'll all be in a much better position to answer that question after this year. Babers installed his up-tempo offense last year and went on record as saying he didn't expect the players to fully comprehend it until sometime during year two.</p>
<p>If that is the case, opposing defenses should be afraid. Babers has playmakers all over the field on offense and they will be downright scary if they do indeed have command of the new offense.</p>
<p>But the real measure of Babers success this season rests with his defense and their ability to at least slow down opponents so the offense can outscore them.</p>
<h4><b>Five Key Players</b></h4>
<p><b>QB - <span>Matt Johnson</span></b> - He's proven that when healthy, he can be the best quarterback in the MAC. His injured hip seems healed but we won't really know until he goes at game speed and takes that first big hit. He'll also have to shake off the rust that comes with not having played in a year. Plus, did he adequately pick-up the new offense watching from the sidelines last year? Despite all those lingering questions, I think Johnson is poised for a terrific senior season this year.</p>
<p><b>WR - <span>Roger Lewis</span></b> - He did things as a freshman last year that nobody has ever done before at Bowling Green. First freshman to have 1,000 yards receiving, set home stadium record with a 16-catch game, first BG freshman in 33 years to be named All-MAC. What does he have to do for an encore? Falcons are loaded with receivers so it may be hard for him to duplicate last year's numbers.</p>
<p><b>K - <span>Tyler Tate</span></b> - Arguably the best kicker in the MAC coming into this year. He has been the model of consistency the last three years since stabilizing the position for the Falcons as a redshirt freshman in 2012. His 23 field goals last season set a BG record. His 48 career FGs already have him atop the all-time list for Falcon kickers. He adds another element to a dynamite offense for the Falcons.</p>
<p><b>LB - <span>Austin Valdez</span></b> - Was recruited as a quarterback out of high school, but made the transition to defense last year. Has added about 20 pounds since last season to better handle the demands of his new position. Played in 13 games last season, mostly as a back-up to All-MAC performers <span>Gabe Martin</span> and <span>D.J. Lynch</span>. Will need to play well if the Falcons are to have any semblance of a defense this year.</p>
<p><b>DB - <span>Clint Stephens</span></b> - After seeing plenty of action as a true freshman last season in a back-up role, Stephens will be in the starting line-up this year. His four interceptions last year were second on the team. He'll be asked to lead a mostly inexperienced secondary for the Falcons. He is also a major contributor on special teams, setting a BG record with a 98-yard touchdown on a kick-off return last season.</p>
<h4><b>Falcons' Strong Suit</b></h4>
<p>As mentioned previously, Bowling Green's strength is their offense. All five starters along the offensive line return. Members of this unit actually lost weight over the summer so they could be in better condition to keep pace in the team's #FalconFast offense. A big part of their job will be keeping Johnson upright and healthy.</p>
<p>Johnson will have plenty of options when throwing the ball. The Falcons are loaded at wide receiver. Starters Lewis, <span>Ryan Burbrink</span>, <span>Ronnie Moore</span>, and Gehrig Deiter are all talented veterans. Plus, you add in transfer <span>Robbie Rhodes</span> (Baylor) and former All-MAC performer <span>Chris Gallon</span> returning from injury and you have the best receiving core in conference by far.</p>
<p>But passing isn't the only thing this offense can do. They can run the ball as well. <span>Travis Greene</span> and <span>Fred Coppet</span> form one of the best running back tandems in the MAC. Green has rushed for more than 2,500 yards and scored 25 touchdowns the last two seasons. Coppet had nearly 800 yard and six touchdowns last year. Plus, the Falcons have added this year heralded running backs Matt Domer (Illinois) and <span>Donovan Wilson</span> (Georgia Tech) into the fold from their former teams.</p>
<h4><b>Unknowns</b></h4>
<p>The big questions for this year's Falcons all rest with the defense. Only a couple of starters return from last year's defense. A pessimist will say that's a problem as nine new starters will be asked to come in and make an impact immediately despite their inexperience. An optimist will tell you that the defense was terrible last season anyway and these new guys can't be any worse. We'll see.</p>
<p>An already thin unit took a massive hit in the offseason when returning starters <span>Nick Johnson</span> (DB) and <span>Bryan Thomas</span> (DE) were dismissed from the team after separate off-the-field incidents. Johnson led the team with five interceptions last year a true freshman, and Thomas had eight sacks among his 48 tackles.</p>
<p>So who will step up? That is yet to be seen, but it will most likely have to come from young players. Safety Eilar Hardy comes over as a graduate student after spending the last four seasons at Notre Dame. He'll be asked to supply some much needed veteran leadership to this defense.</p>
<p>Defensive lineman Gus Schwieterman will look to follow-up on his successful freshman campaign that saw him record 55 tackles and 7.5 sacks last season. He will be joined on the line by veteran <span>Zach Colvin</span>, who missed all of last season with an illness.</p>
<p>But the biggest change for the Falcon defense this year will undoubtedly by the addition of new defensive coordinator, Brian Ward. Ward comes over from Western Illinois, where he turned the Leathernecks into one of the best defenses in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. It's hoped that Ward can implement his system that will help make-up for the lack of experience on defense.</p>
<h4><b>TL;DR: Season Overview</b></h4>
<p>The Falcons like to play fast and they'll probably have to out of necessity. The offense will likely be in the position of having to outscore almost all of their opponents. Bowling Green certainly has the players to do just that, but that is a heavy load for the offense to carry all season.</p>
<p>You also have to consider that the pace that the BG offense plays at doesn't do any favors for its defense. No matter if the offense goes down and scores in a couple of minutes or has a quick three-and-out series, that puts the defense back out on the field with little rest. That scenario would spell doom for the Falcons this season.</p>
<p></p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2015/8/28/9207335/2015-football-preview-schedule-bgsu-falconsRandy Carpenter2015-08-28T10:14:45-04:002015-08-28T10:14:45-04:00Anthony Rabasa leaves Western Michigan football after less than a month<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/27/after-leaving-irish-for-wmu-anthony-rabasa-leaves-broncos-too/">Anthony Rabasa leaves Western Michigan football after less than a&nbsp;month</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>A transfer graduate student from Notre Dame, Anthony Rabasa came to Kalamazoo to play defensive end. He would've been eligible to play immediately, but Rabasa had a change of heart about the game and will go back home to Miami instead.</p></p></div>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2015/8/28/9219963/anthony-rabasa-leaves-western-michigan-football-after-less-than-aAlex Alvarado2015-08-27T18:47:58-04:002015-08-27T18:47:58-04:00Reno Reda to wear 54 in Bitsko's memory
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<p>An honorable move by the coaching staff and players at Kent State.</p> <p>What's in a number?</p>
<p>At Kent State, number 54 brings back memories of Jason Bitsko, who died on August 20, 2014 from having an enlarged heart. The starting center was only 21 years young and was greatly missed by his teammates as well as the community. Nobody wore number 54 last year on their shirts, but the team honored his memory by putting that number on their <a href="https://twitter.com/KentStAthletics/status/502605061915439106" target="_blank">helmets</a>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hustlebelt.com/2014/8/27/6075645/kent-state-c-jason-bitsko-honored-with-emblem-on-dix-stadium-turf">On this date last year</a>, they also put his number on the turf of Dix Stadium. A <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hustlebelt.com/2014/8/21/6053279/this-rock-was-painted-to-honor-jason-bitsko">rock on campus was painted</a> in his memory. The school also gave Bitsko's scholarship to a fellow walk-on teammate of his.</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Haynes and his wife visited Bitsko's family at the hospital yesterday. The father wanted to make sure Jason's scholarship went to a walk-on.</p>
— August Fagerstrom (@AugustF_MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/AugustF_MLB/status/502561789406900224">August 21, 2014</a>
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<p>Last year I wrote a piece about <a href="http://www.hustlebelt.com/2014/8/21/6047967/honoring-deceased-football-players-is-not-easy" target="_blank">honoring deceased</a> players and teammates. How do we handle these situations? My emphasis for the article was more targeted towards the Eastern Michigan program with number 2, last worn by Demarius Reed who was shot and killed over his clothes after returning back to his apartment from a local night club. <i>Eagle Totem</i>, a local Eagles blog had their own demands from the EMU athletic department to have Reed's number be retired in his honor and to bring more awareness to the bigger problem of gun violence.</p>
<p>My response was pretty simple. In my conclusion, I wrote:</p>
<blockquote style="margin: 0 0 0 40px; border: none; padding: 0px;">
<p>So however Demarius Reed and Jason Bitsko are honored by their respective athletic departments, they shouldn't have to necessarily fill our needs to be the most meaningful. There are many good ways of handling these issues, but not doing anything will not fill the needs for those that are most affected by these tragedies.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Today, Kent State honored Jason Bitsko yet again for their own heart-felt desires. After many discussions amongst the coaching staff and players, they ultimately decided to bring the number back. However, it wouldn't be just a number that could be given to anybody that wanted it. This was Bitsko's number: a young man who lost his life right before the season started after setting an example in the locker room for his hard work and dedication to his team.</p>
<p>After votes were submitted from the coaches and players, head coach Paul Haynes and offensive line coach Shawn Clark broke the news to the team, awarding number 54 to left tackle Reno Reda.</p>
<blockquote style="margin: 0 0 0 40px; border: none; padding: 0px;">
<p>"I was extremely honored and excited," Reda said. "I'm still at a loss for words because this is one of the best honors I've ever received. I have so much gratitude for my coaches and teammates for choosing me. When I stood in front of the team, Coach Clark started to get emotional. I somehow kept my cool until after I was able to speak to the team."</p>
<p>source: Kent State Athletics press release (8/27/15)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Haynes was quoted in the release saying that he hopes that this is a tradition that stays at Kent State "forever."</p>
<p>The Golden Flashes will open up their season on the road against Illinois on Friday, September 4. You can watch Reda carry on his passion for the game and pride in his school, as Bitsko would have loved to do last year, in that number 54 jersey.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<p><i><b>WATCH:</b> ESPN's Neil Everett angry about the lack of coverage about Bitsko's death (8/21/14):</i></p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rWimkIgQYE0" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/kent-state-golden-flashes/2015/8/27/9217975/bitsko-number-54-reno-reda-kent-state-footballAlex Alvarado2015-08-27T13:57:03-04:002015-08-27T13:57:03-04:00O'Connor's shoulder injury still looming
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<figcaption>Andrew Mascharka (The Eastern Echo)</figcaption>
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<p>There's a few Eagles that are a little banged up, but O'Connor is the most noteworthy with the season starting in less than ten days.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/eastern-michigan-eagles">Eastern Michigan Eagles</a> have their home opener in nine days against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/old-dominion-monarchs">Old Dominion Monarchs</a> and it looks like there's a few injuries that are lingering on the team.</p>
<p>MLive's Michael Nizolek (well, was* with MLive) attended EMU <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/1/27/7921383/super-bowl-2015-media-day-updates-news-live-coverage">Media Day</a> last Saturday where head coach Chris Creighton addressed the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlive.com/eagles/index.ssf/2015/08/injuries_cast_cloud_over_first.html#incart_river">injury concerns</a> on the team. The most noteworthy of injuries is defensive lineman <span>Pat O'Connor</span>, whose shoulder has been bothering him <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlive.com/eagles/index.ssf/2015/04/emu_defensive_lineman_pat_ocon.html">dating back to spring ball</a> and did not participate in the scrimmage on Saturday.</p>
<blockquote style="margin: 0 0 0 40px; border: none; padding: 0px;">
<p>Defensive tackle Pat O'Connor, wide receiver <span>Dustin Creel</span>, defensive back <span>Brandon Bossard</span>, offensive lineman <span>Darien Terrell</span>, tight end Danny Annee, defensive lineman <span>Mike Brown</span>, tight end Sam Girodat, wide receiver Braylin Collins, wide receiver Kezio Snelling and defensive back Jake Krueger did not participate.</p>
<p>...</p>
<p>"We have suffered some significant injuries this week," Creighton said. "We had sort of a rash in the middle of the week, and some just early on in fluke non-contact situations."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Imagining an EMU defense without its top player is, well, not a fun thought. The team is already without senior linebacker Matt Hunter on the roster for reasons that Creighton would not give when I asked him at MAC Media Day. O'Connor is a legitimate NFL prospect and led the MAC with 7.5 sacks just last season. Nizolek said that coaches expected O'Connor to participate heading into fall camp, but that hasn't been the case and I'm not going to say that EMU fans should panic, but there's definitely more than enough room to worry about this situation.</p>
<p>Best case scenario: O'Connor comes back in time for the Ball State game on September 19.</p>
<p>Dustin Creel has had a history of injuries, so it's more annoying than anything to see him still banged up. Darien Terrell is one of the more experienced linemen EMU has and rushing one of the other young linemen in their freshman and redshirt-freshman into more playing time than necessary isn't the most desirable of options, but that's football for you.</p>
<p>Below is the press conference at EMU Media Day following the scrimmage, courtesy of EMU Athletics:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6_T8pjbFDFY" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2015/8/27/9215007/emu-eagles-injuries-pat-oconnorAlex Alvarado2015-08-27T07:15:01-04:002015-08-27T07:15:01-04:00Buffalo travels to Penn State in 2015
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<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Penn State's non-conference schedule includes a clash with Buffalo on September 12th.</p> <p>Following a 2014 in which Buffalo was outscored 110-33 in their two non-conference games against Power Five opponents (Ohio State and Baylor), the Bulls will head to University Park to take on Penn State. The Nittany Lions are coming off a 7-6 finish, and the road to more success runs right into the Bulls.</p>
<p>Penn State won their first four games, which included three non-conference teams, and was playing well. Then, conference play picked up. PSU dropped their first four games to conference foes, and went 1-6 in their remaining B1G games. The Nittany Lions return a solid defense, but some offensive components must improve for 2015 to be better.</p>
<p>At quarterback, junior Christian Hackenberg returns for this third year as the starting play-caller. His completion percentage, touchdown, interception, and sack numbers were all worse last year compared to his true freshman season. He passed for just 12 touchdowns to 15 interceptions and was sacked a frustrating 44 times. Hackenberg is one of just eight QBs to amass 5,000 passing yards, and he is just halfway done with his college career. The 2,000+ passing yards will be there again this year, but Penn State's ability to win games will depend on how the offensive line returns. Hackenberg's protectors were young last year, but the fact that they are returning should be a good thing.</p>
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<span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span> More Penn State <span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span>
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<div class="blog-links-compact-link-container"><a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">Penn St. Nittany Lions blog Black Shoe Diaries</a></div>
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<p>Senior center <span>Angelo Mangiro</span> leads the O-line into 2015. His supporting cast will consist of junior guard <span>Brian Gaia</span> and sophomore tackle Andrew Nelson. Showing promise will be sophomore Brendan Mahone. The 6-foot-4, 316 pound guard was a 4-star sign out of high school. While he certainly shows promise, he was forced into nine starts last season as a true freshman when injuries took down one of the returning starters. JUCO transfer Paris Palmer, holding junior eligibility, looks to jump in the rotation as well.</p>
<p>The running back corps is another division of the Penn State offense that struggled because of the offensive line's inexperience and health issues. <span>Akeel Lynch</span> comes back to take control of the ball carriers. His 2014 campaign saw 678 yards on 147 carries yielding 4 touchdowns. The wide receiver group contains a number of playmakers as well, highlighted by sophomore DaeSean Hamilton. As a freshman last year, he racked up 899 yards and 2 touchdowns. Another favorite of Hackenberg's is junior Geno Lewis, who hauled in 751 yards and 2 TDs. Even more depth is added by sophomores <span>Chris Godwin</span> and Saeed Blacknall. With last year's tight end gone, senior <span>Kyle Carter</span> figures to jump into a more involved role.</p>
<p>Penn State's bright spot in 2014 was by far the defense, which ranked 2nd in the country in average yards per game with 278.7. Even more exciting for Nittany Lion fans is the defense returns four of six defensive linemen, three of four linebackers, and three of four defensive backs. Senior DT Anthony Zettel leads the charge, who totaled 8.0 sacks by himself. Also coming back at defensive tackle is junior Austin Johnson. Zettel and Johnson combined for 69 total tackles last season, and will be looking for even more. These two are assisted by defensive ends <span>Garrett Sickels</span>, <span>Carl Nassib</span>, and <span>Evan Schwan</span> -- all of which have at least a season's worth of starts under their belts.</p>
<p>At linebacker, juniors Nyeem Wartman-White and <span>Brandon Bell</span> return. While these two combined for over 88 tackles last season, their numbers still don't come close to Mike Hull's ridiculous 107.5 takedowns. Hull graduated this past year but Wartman-White and Bell, assisted by a number of other upperclassmen, come back improved and ready to go.</p>
<p>Senior Jordan Lucas and sophomore <span>Marcus Allen</span> return at safety, and senior <span>Trevor Williams</span> returns at cornerback. Grant Haley will have an increased responsibility at cornerback since Lucas was moved to safety. The secondary ranked second in the country in pass defense efficiency, and ninth in fewest passing yards allowed. With so many starters coming back from such a great passing defense, expect the Nittany Lions to be extremely tough to crack for Buffalo. The Bull's chance, however, will come from their defense giving Penn State's offensive line trouble, just as many teams did last year.</p>
<p>A team with such a stifling defense should not be fighting for a .500 record, but they will when the offensive line is in so inconsistent. Penn State ranked 119th in sacks per game. Every MAC team ranked ahead of them. The key for Penn State in this faceoff with Buffalo, and every game this season, will be giving Hackenberg the time to be as dangerous as he can be. Even with such little help up front, Hackenberg can still throw all over the place. If they can figure it out up front, this team can be lethal.</p>
<p>Catch the game on September 12th at noon and can be seen on ESPN2/ESPNU.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2015/8/27/9209165/2015-football-preview-penn-state-nittany-lionsJeremy O'Brien2015-08-26T13:31:02-04:002015-08-26T13:31:02-04:00Toledo should win the West if all goes right
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<p>The Rockets are favored to win the West, but not by much.</p> <p>Maybe, just maybe, this is the year that the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/toledo-rockets" class="sbn-auto-link">Toledo Rockets</a> find themselves going to the MAC Championship for the first time since 2004.</p>
<p>After years of being so close yet so far away from this destination (and being second to Northern Illinois), being a team full of talent in the MAC just isn't enough anymore and needs to exceed expectations to be taken seriously on a national level. Injuries may have been what ultimately plagued the Rockets last year when they finished 9-4 in the regular season and losing their only MAC game to NIU when they had to go down to wide receiver <span>Dwight Macon</span> (who was recruited as a quarterback) to take snaps behind center, but that doesn't put an asterisk on last season.</p>
<p>Returning some of the best talents in the conference on both sides of the ball, Toledo is projected to win the West division by both the MAC media and our blog's polls by the slimmest of margins. That's not a knock to UT, that's just an emphasis on how difficult it's going to be for anybody to win their division this year.</p>
<h3>Schedule</h3>
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<tbody>
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<td><b>Date</b></td>
<td><b>Team</b></td>
<td><b>Time (ET)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sept. 3 (Fri.)</td>
<td>vs. Stony Brook</td>
<td>7 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sept. 12</td>
<td>@ Arkansas</td>
<td>4 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sept. 19</td>
<td>vs. Iowa State</td>
<td>8 pm</td>
</tr>
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<td>Sept. 26</td>
<td>vs. Arkansas State</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
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<td>Oct. 3</td>
<td>@ Ball State</td>
<td>3 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oct. 10</td>
<td>vs. Kent State</td>
<td>3 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oct. 17</td>
<td>vs. Eastern Michigan</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oct. 24</td>
<td>@ UMass</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><br></td>
<td>BYE</td>
<td><br></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nov. 3 (Tues.)</td>
<td>vs. Northern Illinois</td>
<td>8 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nov. 10 (Tues.)</td>
<td>@ Central Michigan</td>
<td>8 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nov. 17 (Tues.)</td>
<td>@ Bowling Green</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nov. 27 (Fri.)</td>
<td>vs. Western Michigan</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The non-conference games are going to be really entertaining this year. We all know about Dan Enos throwing up the peace sign and running off to Arkansas to be the offensive coordinator for them, but it doesn't look like that's going to be a nationally-televised event. They'll get a second chance at beating Iowa State after falling to the Cyclones 37-30 last year, and that's a good opportunity to watch them at the Glass Bowl. Then the following week they'll play Arkansas State, who the Rockets took care of in the GoDaddy Bowl in early January.</p>
<p>November is going to be absolutely critical for, not only the Rockets' season, but will be huge for the entire conference. Maybe the most gracious part about it is that they have both NIU and Western Michigan coming to the Glass Bowl. A mostly-healthy roster for Toledo would be a confidence booster heading into those games, but the fact that this division is projected to be a three-headed race amongst the three and they'll both be home events should make things better. On the road, they'll face the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/central-michigan-chippewas" class="sbn-auto-link">Central Michigan Chippewas</a> as they're going through their transition season and rivaled <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/bowling-green-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Bowling Green Falcons</a>. The Battle of I-75 is obviously a huge game every year for the two schools as BGSU has the edge in series 39-36-1 all-time, but the Rockets have won the last five contests. Who knows: maybe that game will also serve as a preview as this year's MAC Championship?</p>
<p>Also from the West, they'll visit <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/ball-st-cardinals" class="sbn-auto-link">Ball State Cardinals</a> to open up Toledo's intra-conference schedule and will play host to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/eastern-michigan-eagles" class="sbn-auto-link">Eastern Michigan Eagles</a> in mid-October. The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/kent-st-golden-flashes" class="sbn-auto-link">Kent State Golden Flashes</a> will come to the Glass Bowl on October 10, and they'll also face the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/umass-minutemen" class="sbn-auto-link">Massachusetts Minutemen</a> on the road, who has a high-powered offense with <span>Blake Frohnapfel</span> and <span>Tajae Sharpe</span> both coming back this year.</p>
<h3>Head coach</h3>
<p><span>Matt Campbell</span> is entering his fourth season as the head coach for Toledo. A combined 26-13 record with Campbell at the helm, the highest winning percentage of Toledo football coaches in history with at least three years of experience.</p>
<p>Campbell is a Massillion, Ohio native who played his college ball at Mount Union. As a defensive lineman, he was a D-III All-<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/american" class="sbn-auto-link">American</a>, an Ohio Athletic Conference defensive lineman of the year, and a three-time national champion from 2000-02.</p>
<p>He's often said that he wants to be "relentless" in everything they do within the program, and has laminated themselves to be "Toledo tough." Injuries plagued the Rockets last year, but the biggest part of his team's success was getting everybody prepared to step in when adversity hits and be able to play well. It's not a matter of if adversity would come, because he knows that tough times are essentially inevitable and expected, but it's <i>when</i> adversity arrives: he knows to keep his roster both mentally and physically prepared to perform.</p>
<h3>Five key players</h3>
<p>RB- Kareem Hunt: This is pretty much a given, but Kareem "The Dream" is basically a heaven-sent player on the Rockets' roster. He missed three games last year and was still tenth in the nation in rushing as a sophomore (1,631 yards). But when he's not on the field, there's still <span>Terry Swanson</span> and <span>Damion Jones-Moore</span> for defenses to worry about.</p>
<p>DE- Trent Voss: Moving from linebacker to defensive end, Voss was third on the team with 77 tackles and first in tackles for loss with 15 (79 yards lost). He's got a knack for getting to the quarterback, and Toledo was the worst in the MAC in passing defense, so his contributions as a "Leo" defensive end should help them see an improvement from last year.</p>
<p>WR- Alonzo Russell: After being a Third Team All-MAC performer for three straight years, Russell should have the best season of his career in 2015. He's tenth in career receptions at Toledo with 166 and has averaged 14.8 yards per catch in his three years. At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Russell has the size to be a target when you're trying to move the chains or heave one up in the corner of the end zone. If he has a 1,000-yard season, he'll break Eric Page's school record for receiving yards (3,446).</p>
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<p>QB(s)- <span>Phillip Ely</span>, <span>Logan Woodside</span>, <span>Michael Julian</span>: It's easy to be high on Phillip Ely. Why wouldn't you be? He's an Alabama transfer that won the starting job at the beginning of last year and threw for 541 yards with four touchdowns in the first two games against New Hampshire and Missouri before a knee injury sidelined him for the rest of the year. Woodside played in 12 games with ten starts and didn't disappoint. An efficient passer, strong arm, but he let an ankle injury keep him out for basically all of the game against NIU. Julian, now a sophomore, started that game against NIU, went 2-for-7 through the air and then suffered a concussion to make him miss the rest of that game. The three are still battling for the starting position in Week 1, but they're all talented and reliable, and it's shown that if one of these three has to miss some playing time, somebody else will comfortably step in and take care of business.</p>
<p>SS: <span>Rolan Milligan</span>: Milligan spent one year with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/uab-blazers" class="sbn-auto-link">UAB Blazers</a> after recording 44 tackles and three picks in one season at Reedley College. He was the Blazers' second-leading tackler with 54, four of which were for a loss and two of those were sacks. He may or may not get the starting role as the strong safety to start the year, but the senior should still see the field in 2015 with the potential to have an impact for the defense.</p>
<h3>The Rockets' strong suit</h3>
<p>If there's one thing for certain about this team: it has playmakers. All of the quarterbacks can whip the ball around. Russell is the biggest threat as a receiver and depth with <span>Corey Jones</span> and <span>Cody Thompson</span>, along with 6-foot-5 tight end <span>Alex Zmolik</span> to haul in some passes.</p>
<p>Having a competent running game on a football team is basically like having a white, collared shirt in your closet or having butter in the fridge or a hammer in your tool box. The depth at running back here is unbelievable. Hunt is already the biggest star on this roster for what he's been able to do in his first two seasons, but behind him is still James-Moore and Swanson, who both combined for 1,212 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.</p>
<p>Defensively, that front four is the best thing they've got going. On the ends you have Voss and senior Allen Covington. Orion Jones is one of the best nose tackles in the MAC with six sacks last year and <span>Treyvon Hester</span> had 49 tackles and 10 quarterback hurries: both Second Team All-MAC performers.</p>
<h3>Unknowns</h3>
<p>Having no returning starters on the offensive line is worth scratching your head over. <span>Ruben Carter</span> transferred from Florida State and should be playing right away as a right guard. Then there's <span>Storm Norton</span>, a 6-foot-8, 310 pound junior that made three starts last year at left tackle. Other than that, it's just relying on a lot of inexperience to maybe get things working. Other projected starters are <span>Paul Perschon</span> (junior, left guard), <span>Nate Jeppesen</span> (sophomore, center) and <span>Mike Ebert</span> (junior, right tackle).</p>
<p>The linebacking corps is going to be a bit odd without <span>Junior Sylvestre</span> and <span>Ray Bush</span> who were the two leading tacklers from last year's team. There's going to be some competition for newcomers to maybe get some playing time as linebackers, but it looks like senior <span>Chase Murdock</span> will lock down the Mike responsibilities, <span>Jaylen Coleman</span> on the weak side and <span>Zach Quinn</span> on the strong side.</p>
<p>Samuel Vucelich has some big shoes to fill, which is a really terrible pun to give a new place kicker that has to replace Jeremiah Detmer. There's no collegiate track record of him whatsoever, but he sat out two years as a redshirt and bench player, so he's had plenty of time to get some practice reps in and learn from one of the conference's better kickers in recent years.</p>
<h3>TL;DR: Season overview</h3>
<p>Nobody's saying the offensive line can't hold their end of the deal, but that's the one area that could hurt this team the quickest. There's plenty of talent around to make Toledo one of the top 3 offenses in the MAC and more than enough depth to give a few players some time off if need-be. The defensive line is as good as it's going to get for any MAC team, and if they can make some playmakers out of the defensive backs and linebackers, then maybe they'll finally find themselves back in Detroit.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2015/8/26/9207727/2015-football-preview-schedule-toledo-rocketsAlex Alvarado2015-08-25T13:30:00-04:002015-08-25T13:30:00-04:00The Ohio defense leads the way into 2015
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<figcaption>Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>While there are still questions about how good the Ohio offense can be, expectations of a respectable defense surround this Ohio team. </p> <p><span>Limited expectations were the norm for Ohio Bobcat fans a year ago after losing some of the bigger name players in the program's history. But that narrative has worn out, and a newer crew of skilled position players and linemen alike have taken their places in a program that is achieving notable success compared to where they have been historically.</span></p>
<p>A 6-6 record in a season where average play actually represented a semblance of success has laid a foundation for better things to come. Maybe as soon as this fall.</p>
<p>That isn't to say that there aren't areas where Ohio can improve by leaps and bounds.</p>
<p>At Ohio <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/1/27/7921383/super-bowl-2015-media-day-updates-news-live-coverage" class="sbn-auto-link">Media Day</a>, offensive coordinator Tim Albin was adamant about the need for offensive improvement above all. "The bottom line is, we didn't score enough points last year. That's all we've talked about. That's how I challenged 'em when we started spring ball and we finished it, going into summer...The point production has got to go up" said Albin.</p>
<p>With an offense that ranked 10th in the MAC in pass defense and passing on offense, Ohio will look to reverse both of those trends to spring itself into bowl game contention.</p>
<h3>Schedule</h3>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><b>Date</b></td>
<td><b>Team</b></td>
<td><b>Time (ET)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sept. 3 (Thur.)</td>
<td>@ Idaho</td>
<td>9 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sept. 12</td>
<td>vs. Marshall</td>
<td>7 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sept. 19</td>
<td>vs. SE Louisianna</td>
<td>2 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sept. 26</td>
<td>@ Minnesota</td>
<td>3:30 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oct. 3</td>
<td>@ Akron</td>
<td>2 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oct. 10</td>
<td>vs. Miami</td>
<td>2 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oct. 17</td>
<td>vs. Western Michigan</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oct. 24</td>
<td>@ Buffalo</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><br></td>
<td>BYE</td>
<td><br></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nov. 4 (Wed.)</td>
<td>@ Bowling Green</td>
<td>8 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nov. 10 (Tue.)</td>
<td>vs. Kent State</td>
<td>8 pm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nov. 17 (Tue.)</td>
<td>vs. Ball State</td>
<td>TBA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nov. 24 (Tue.)</td>
<td>@ Northern Illinois</td>
<td>7:30 pm</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Very early on, Ohio goes all the way to MOSCOW...Idaho in what shouldn't be too eventful evening if Paul Petrino calms down. Ohio follows that up with games against solid opponents at home, as the 'Cats will look to get revenge from the Herd who mashed them a year ago. All this before heading to Minnesota to take on what should be an <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" target="_blank" href="http://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2015/8/4/9092537/2015-football-preview-Minnesota-gophers">improved Gophers team.</a> All that before Ohio jumps into the good stuff. That's right, MAC play. Going to Akron on the road could prove to be a tough test as these two aren't particularly fond of one another. Back-to-back games against rival Miami (in Athens) and Western Michigan could set the tone for the rest of the season. Consecutive would really send a message that Ohio means business this season. After a road contest in what could then be frigid Buffalo. Ohio gets a buy before finishing off with a tough rough game against BG (that Falcon Fast offense put up a lot of yards last year against Ohio, but not many points). Two straight home games against KSU and BSU could mean the difference between going to Detroit or not, and that's all before the 'Cats close out the regular season in DeKalb in what should be a good re-match considering the blows that these two traded last season.</p>
<h3><span>Head Coach</span></h3>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2015/8/4/9092537/2015-football-preview-Minnesota-gophers"></a></p>
<p>In Frank Solich's tenure as the head football coach in Athens, his teams have exhibited remarkable consistency while reaching new levels of success hardly characteristic of the program in the past. His reign as coach has created expectations that would never have been there before, but now might be a bit of a nuisance to some as folks expect great things from the Ohio football team year-in and year out.</p>
<p>In his time at Ohio, Solich has kept an incredibly static staff. Back are coordinators and skill position coaches who have been here over half a decade. But with the team seeming to have leveled off in terms of upside, maybe some new wrinkles are needed to propel Ohio forward and into MAC East title contention.</p>
<h3><b>Five Key Players</b></h3>
<p><b>RB- <span>A.J. Ouellette</span></b></p>
<p>After surprising nearly everyone, the short but brick-wall-like Ouellette <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2014/9/11/6109329/ohio-football-aj-ouellette-name-to-remember">came onto the scene in impressive fashion</a> in 2014 and never looked back. He earned a spot at No. 29 on our countdown of the top players in the MAC a year removed from rumbling for 804 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground for an offense that only posted 20.5 points per game.</p>
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<link href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3608425/mustreads.css" rel="stylesheet">
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<p><b>QBs- <span>Derrius Vick</span>, JD Sprague, Jr.</b></p>
<p>Like last season, these two are battling it out for the starting job in fall camp, with neither listed as the week one starter against Idaho. Though both have impressive scrambling ability and natural talent, neither has proven themselves to be the far and away number one QB and leader that this team needs to pull itself from the doldrums of last year. With both having rushed for nearly 400 yards each, it's possible we might see a conservative approach from the coaching staff that just asks these two to not turn the ball over, make plays with their legs, and hit some long ones over the top when needed. With not much depth at receiver last year, whoever plays the majority of the snaps will be happy to have a more-experienced WR corps than a year ago.If Ohio is to jump to the level of the bowl-eligible, they'll need a number of things. Consistent, turnover-free play from whoever plays QB is a necessity.</p>
<p><b>LB- <span>Quentin Poling</span></b></p>
<p>In returning multiple starters among its backers, this group will be of massive importance to the success of the Ohio defense, especially considering the lack of experience returning at defensive tackle. The fact that this team doesn't have much experience on the line outside of one returning DE, but is still expected to be solid, speaks wonders to guys like Poling, <span>Jovon Johnson</span>, <span>Chad Moore</span> and Blair Brown. Poling will be expected to make big stops, and be just as much a leader as the older LB's.</p>
<p><b>K- <span>Josiah Yazdani</span></b></p>
<p>While putting a kicker on this list might seem odd, let us reminisce of the times that Yazdani won the Bobcats' first and last games of the year on a last-second kick (against Kent State and Miami respectively). With this team having a strong defensive-minded identity, Yazdani will be thrust into multiple critical junctures in low-scoring games.</p>
<p><b>DL- <span>Tarell Basham</span></b></p>
<p>As mentioned above, the unit alongside Basham is barren. Guys like <span>Brandon Purdum</span>, <span>Casey Sayles</span>, <span>Kurt Laseak</span> and <span>Watson Tautuiaki</span> will be thrown into the fire on the line. After failing to live up to expectations in 2014 (in-part due to the attention he received from opposing linemen) Basham will be asked to make big-time plays, and no excuses can be made for a lack of production this time around.</p>
<h3>The Bobcats' Strong Suit</h3>
<p>With a defense that plays fast, physical, and returns five of its top six tacklers all the while allowing just 24.8 points per game, Ohio will once again rely on an experienced group of backers and secondary to lead it into the fall non-conference schedule. Returners like Poling, Basham, Johnson, Brown, <span>Devin Bass</span>, <span>Nathan Carpenter</span> and <span>Ian Wells</span> will lead the way while less experienced others have an opportunity to make an impact on the d-line. After giving simple looks defensively last season for the most part, defensive coordinator Jimmy Burrow noted that his staff was ready to implement some new looks to the mix that they put in front of opposing offenses.</p>
<h3>Unknowns</h3>
<p>Despite important returns, there are things that are still unknown about this squad. Apart from the QB situation for starters, the wide receiver depth is still a bit questionable. Someone other than <span>Sebastian Smith</span>, <span>Jordan Reid</span> or <span>Brendan Cope</span> has to become a big-time guy (maybe incoming frosh Elijah Ball?) and must become a reliable target. Elsewhere, the defensive tackles could very well have issues occupying space to create opportunities for the backers to make triple-digit tackles. Other than a bit more experienced, there's not much reason to have better expectations for the offense, right?</p>
<h3>TL;DR: Season Overview</h3>
<p>Though struggling to make the types of explosive plays that change games in 2014, Ohio takes a step towards doing so just by returning skill position players across positions, while having the offensive line starters return to offer needed protection. Meanwhile, some folks in the MACosphere are picking Ohio as a sleeper to quickly jump atop the MAC East and surprise some folks. This team, which has regressed to an extent (though not to a large degree) over the last few years, will determine its own destiny moving forward.</p>
<p>For a more extensive overview of the upcoming season for Ohio, might I recommend <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2015/3/3/8135397/ohio-football-2015-preview-schedule-roster">Bill Connelly</a>?</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2015/8/25/9189173/2015-football-preview-schedule-ohio-bobcatsKaleb Carter