Trending
By RICK DeLUCA
ATHENS -- Prior to Frank Solich's arrival in Athens to take charge, Ohio University would be happy with a .500 season.
In the four years prior, 2001-2004, the Bobcats combined for a 11-35 record. In the 20 years before the Solich Era began, Ohio University had two winning seasons and another at 6-6. Ten of those 20 years produced seasons of two or fewer victories.
When a football coach of Solich's caliber arrived on campus, there was hope that finally the trail of losing would end. Set to begin his 12th season as the head coach of the Bobcats, the 71-year old Solich has made the change from perennial loser to perennial postseason bowl participant.
Nine of Solich's 11 seasons have produced winning records. In his first year, they finished at 4-7 and in 2008, the Bobats were 4-8. During the past seven seasons, the Bobcats have played well enough to be eligible for a postseason bowl. They have played in six bowl games during that span.
With the 2016 season just days away, the Bobcats and their coach are looking for and expecting much of the same success.
Solich spent six seasons as the head coach at the University of Nebraska and nearly 30 years as part of the that program as a player, assistant coach and head coach. He was a Big 12 Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2001, produced nine-victory seasons in five of his six years as head coach of the Huskers.
Under Solich, Nebraska spent 54 consecutive weeks in the Associated Press Top 10. In his first five seasons as head coach, Solich won 49 games, more than both his storied predecessors, Bob Devaney and Dr. Tom Osborne, in their first five years at the school.
Coming from his native Cleveland to Lincoln back in 1962, he was recruited to play fullback for the Cornhuskers as a part of Devaney's first class of freshmen. During his time in the Huskers program, Nebraska went 9-2, 10-1, 9-2 and 10-1. He earned All-Big 8 honors in 1965 and was the first Husker to rush for 200 yards in a game. His place in the Nebraska tradition was formalized with his induction into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
During the preseason, Ohio placed eight players on various All-MAC teams, starting with redshirt junior linebacker Quenton Poling who was a first-team selection. Poling was a key element in the Bobcats defensive attack, leading the team with 69 total tackles including 45 solos, 10.5 tackles for a loss and four QB sacks. He also led the team with four interceptions, returning two for scores.
Ohio also returns its top receiver in senior wideout Sebastian Smith. A Columbus native, Smith was a third team All-MAC pick last season after leading the Bobcats with 65 catches and 777 yards and seven scores. He averaged 12 yards per catch.
Ohio returns another hard-nosed linebacker in senior Blair Brown. He finished last season with 65 tackles -- 37 solo and 4.5 tackles for a loss.
A big plus for the Bobcats is the return of junior running back A.J. Ouellette. The speedster out of Covington, Ohio, has led the team in rushing each of the past two years, carrying for 687 last season and 785 as a freshman. Last year, he ran for six touchdowns.
Also at Solich's disposal is former St. Clairsville All-Ohioan Jared Marhefka. The glue-handed wideout enters as a redshirt junior after seeing action in eight games last season. He caught just two passes, but those covered 78 yards.
"We know what we're about," Solich said recently. "Now you've just got to go through a season of football and see what plays out. But I like where our football team is right now."
Ohio returns nearly its entire front seven on defense and some of the key players on offense. It welcomes four running backs and the top three receivers, and the talent at tight end is better than in recent years.
There are areas to fill. Solich needs to find a punter and kicker and he has a young secondary and will be looking for help at cornerback, where none of last year's top four return.
Last season was a wild year at QB with injuries forcing some shuffling around, but this year it is a three-way battle between seniors J.D. Sprague and Greg Windham and redshirt freshman Quinton Maxwell.
Solich has turned things in Athens and with the outlook for the upcoming season, it should be no different.
Sept. 3: Texas State 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 10: at Kansas 2:30 p.m.
Sept. 17: at Tennessee Noon
Sept. 24: Gardner-Webb TBA
Oct. 1: at Miami (OH) 2 p.m.
Oct. 8: Bowling Green 2 p.m.
Oct. 15: Eastern Michigan TBA
Oct. 22: at Kent State TBA
Oct. 27: at Toledo 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 3: Buffalo 6 p.m.
Nov. 15: at Central Michigan 6 p.m.
Nov. 22: Akron 7 p.m.
PREDICTION
Win 7, Lose 5