Buffalo Bulls Open 2018 Campaign vs. Delaware State on Saturday Night

Buffalo (0-0, 0-0 MAC) vs. Delaware State (0-0, 0-0 MEAC)

September 1, 2018
UB Stadium - 6:00 pm

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Storylines

• This is the second-ever meeting between UB and Delaware State. The Bulls won the only other meeting, 40-30, at UB Stadium on Sept. 13, 1997.

• The Bulls return 14 starters from a season ago, including eight on offense.

• The Bulls are 4-1 all-time against teams from the MEAC. Since joining the FBS ranks in 1999, Buffalo is 2-0 with wins over Morgan State in 2012 and Norfolk State in 2014.

• Five of Buffalo's offensive starters are on preseason watch lists for national awards - QB Tyree Jackson (Davey O'Brien, Johnny Unitas), WR Anthony Johnson (Maxwell, Biletnikoff), RB Emmanuel Reed (Doak Walker), TE Tyler Mabry (John Mackey), C James O'Hagan (Rimington)

• Buffalo linebacker Khalil Hodge totaled 277 tackles over the last two seasons - more than any other player in college football.

• Anthony Johnson is the top returning wide receiver in the nation - after averaging 113 receiving yards per game last season. He is a 2018 preseason All-American.

• The Bulls have won seven of their last eight home openers.

• The Bulls enter the 2018 season on a three-game winning streak after winning the final three games of the 2017 campaign.

• Buffalo is predicted to finish second in Mid-American Conference East Division.

• The Bulls are kicking off their 106th season of football.

 

Bulls Open 2018 Campaign vs. Delaware StateThe University at Buffalo football team will kick off the 2018 season against Delaware State on Saturday night at UB Stadium. 

The Bulls are coming off a season in which they went 6-6 overall and 4-4 in MAC play.   

Buffalo returns 14 starters, including eight on the offensive side of the ball. The Bulls were picked second in the MAC East Division preseason poll. 

Delaware State is coming off a 2-9 season. The Hornets were picked 10th in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference preseason poll.

Buffalo leads the all-time series, 1-0. The Bulls won the only other meeting, 40-30, at UB Stadium on Sept. 13, 1997.

T3
2018 will be Tyree Jackson's third season as the Bulls' starting quarterback. The junior signal-caller threw for 2,096 yards and 12 touchdowns to only three interceptions in 2017. He also added 197 yards rushing and four scores. The Academic All-MAC selection averaged 341 yards passing and threw nine touchdowns over the final four games of the 2017 season. 

Jackson is on the preseason watch lists for the Davey O'Brien Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

AJ is OK
Not many players in school history made a bigger impact in their first season with the UB football program than wide receiver Anthony Johnson did in 2017.

The JUCO transfer had 76 catches for 1,356 yards and a school-record 14 touchdowns last season. He ranked second in the nation in receiving yards per game (113.0) and third in receiving touchdowns (14). The All-MAC First Team selection had six games of 140 or more receiving yards which was tops in the country.

Johnson's 1,356 receiving yards were the second most in school history for a single season. He was second only to Naaman Roosevelt who had 1,402 yards in 2008. However, Johnson had 28 fewer catches than Roosevelt. Johnson averaged 17.8 yards per catch compared to 13.5 yards per catch for Roosevelt.

Johnson had 21 catches for 468 yards and eight touchdowns over the final three games of the 2017 season.

Johnson was named a second-team AP Preseason All-American, becoming the first player in school history to earn the distinction.

Hodge Ball
No player in college football had more tackles than UB linebacker Khalil Hodge over the last two seasons. Hodge totaled 277 tackles over the last two years, including a career-best 154 stops in 2017. It was the most tackles by a UB player in the program's FBS era (since 1999). Hodge ranked second in the nation in tackles in 2017.

Watch Out
The Bulls placed a program-record six players on nine different NCFAA award preseason watch lists. Bulls appeared on more preseason watch lists than any other school in the Mid-American Conference. The previous high was four players on eight different watch lists prior to the 2013 campaign.

Buffalo Players on NCFAA Watch Lists
Khalil Hodge - Bednarik Award, Butkus Award, Nagurski Award
Anthony Johnson - Maxwell Award, Biletnikoff Award
Tyree Jackson- Davey O'Brien Award
Emmanuel Reed - Doak Walker Award
Tyler Mabry - John Mackey Award
James O'Hagan - Rimington Trophy

Air AttackBuffalo led the MAC in passing yards a season ago, averaging 290.8 yards per game. With its starting quarterback and top receivers returning, the Bulls should be able to air it out again in 2018.

The Bulls return nine of the 13 players who recorded a catch last season, including four of their top six receivers. Anthony Johnson (76/1,356), K.J. Osborn (35/493), Tyler Mabry (32/548) and Antonio Nunn (15/301) all return this season.

Nine Bulls Named to Athlon Preseason All-MAC Team
Athlon Sports released its preseason All-Mid-American Conference football team and nine University at Buffalo players were named to the squad. The list was headlined by three first-team selections, wide receiver Anthony Johnson, tight end Tyler Mabry and linebacker Khalil Hodge.

Center James O'Hagan and defensive end Chuck Harris were named to the second team.

The third team included quarterback Tyree Jackson and cornerback Cameron Lewis.

Offensive lineman Evin Ksiezarczyk and running back Johnathan Hawkins (as an all-purpose player) were named to the fourth team.

Mitch Perfect
Kicker Adam Mitcheson enters his final season just five made field goals shy of the school record for career field goals made at UB. The senior kicker has made 39 field goals over his career. He is currently second all time, trailing A.J. Principe (07-10) who made 44 field goals over his career.

Mitcheson is also on pace to break the school record for career scoring. The Pittsburgh native currently fourth in career scoring with 206 points. Principe holds the school record with 265 career points.

Safety Dance
With the graduation of both Tim Roberts and Ryan Williamson, the Bulls will need to replace both starting safeties in 2018.

Among the candidates for the starting job are Brandon Williams, Tyrone Hill and Joey Banks.

The depth at cornerback has afforded the coaching staff the ability to move Williams from corner to safety and he will likely be one of the starters. The   senior started eight games at corner last season and had 43 tackles, an interception and four pass breakups.       

Hill has had a strong camp and is becoming a serious contender for the starting safety job. A sophomore, Hill played in four games last season.

Also likely to challenge for the starting role is newcomer Banks. He is a JUCO transfer from the City College of San Francisco where he had 67 tackles, including seven tackles for loss last season.

Reed All About it
Emmanuel Reed had a breakout season for the Bulls in 2017 and looks to build on it this year. The junior running back rushed for 840 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Reed had five 100-yard games in 2017, including a 144-yard, three-touchdown performance against Kent State which earned him MAC East Player of the Week honors.  The Florida native was named to the preseason watch list for the Doak Walker Award, given to the top running back.

Bulls Add Three Grad Transfers
Three graduate transfers from Power 5 programs joined the Bulls prior to the 2018 season. Wide receiver George Rushing, safety Ashton White and offensive lineman Trey Derouen all joined the squad.

Rushing came from Wisconsin where he played in 39 games and made one start. He recorded 18 receptions for 208 yards in his career.

White came from Notre Dame. He played in six games in 2016 and had a pair of tackles.

Derouen transferred to Buffalo from South Carolina. He appeared in one game as a redshirt freshman in 2016.

Rushing will have one year of elibility, while White and Derouen will have two.

Bulls vs. the FCS
This is the 10th straight season the Bulls will play an FCS program since adding them to the schedule in 2009. Over that stretch, Buffalo has posted a record of 9-1 against teams from the FCS. UB's only loss was a 22-16 defeat to Albany in the opener of the 2016 season.

It's All Relative
The UB football team features a pair of players related to two of the top five picks in the 2014 NFL Draft. Senior wide receiver Anthony Johnson is the cousin of top pick Jadeveon Clowney. Junior defensive end defensive end Ledarius Mack is the younger brother of former UB All-American and fifth pick Khalil Mack.

Murchie Family Fieldhouse Nears Completion
Thanks to a record gift by the Murchie family, the Murchie Family Fieldhouse is on schedule to open this spring. The 92,000-square-foot indoor practice facility will be situated just beyond the north end zone of UB Stadium on the university's North Campus.

The multi-use facility will not only house a full-size football field, but will also feature 6,000 feet of rubber track for sprint practice as well as long/triple jump and pole vault pits. It will also have motorized suspended softball hitting tunnels.

10-Year Anniversary of MAC Championship
The 2018 season marks the 10-year anniversary of the Bulls' 2008 MAC Championship - UB's first and only football conference title. After a 7-5 regular season, the Bulls stunned 12th-ranked Ball State, 42-24, in the title game. Buffalo went on to play Connecticut in the International Bowl - its first-ever bowl game.

On The Airwaves
Again this season, University at Buffalo football can be heard locally on ESPN 1520, a 50,000-watt station with one of the strongest signals in the nation. The Bulls can also be heard on 1280 AM in Rochester. 

Calling all the play-by-play action of Bulls football for his 19th year, and 11th consecutive, will be Paul Peck. Scott Wilson is back for his second season as analyst. Brad Riter also returns as game host.

Again this season, the UB Football postgame show will take place at Santora's on Millersport with host Bob Gaughan.

Peck will  host the UB Football Insider with Lance Leipold on Monday nights at 5:00 pm. The show air on ESPN 1520 and will be taped at the Santora's Millersport location.

UNIVERSITY OF BUFFALO BULLS ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Wagner Football Hosts Bowie State In Season Opener On Thursday At 6:00 PM

Bowie State Bulldogs at Wagner College Seahawks August 30, 2018 | Staten Island, NY | 6:00 PM  Hameline Field (3,300)
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STATEN ISLAND, New York -- The Wagner College football program opens its 88th season of intercollegiate football by hosting the Bowie State University Bulldogs under the lights at Hameline Field on Thursday, August 30 at 6:00 p.m.

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WAGNER-BOWIE STATE: THE SERIES
This is the first-ever meeting between the Seahawks and the the Division II Bulldogs and the first time that Wagner will face a team from the 12-member Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). Bowie State compiled an impressive 9-2 overall mark (6-1 in CIAA play) in 2017, hosted its first-ever Division II playoff game, and ranked No. 23 in the final Division II Top-25 Poll.

ABOUT WAGNER
The 2018 Seahawks return 17 of 22 overall starters, including 10 of 11 returnees on the defensive side of the ball and seven of 11 on offense. All told, Wagner returns 62 letterwinners from last season's 4-7 team, and welcomes 58 newcomers. At quarterback, preseason camp featured a three-way battle for the starting spot between the incumbent senior Luke Massei (58.4% accuracy, 1,371 yards, 7 touchdowns) as well as a pair of fifth-year graduate students in Graham Lindman, a former walk-on at Ole Miss of the SEC, and T.J. Linta, a starter the last two seasons at Ivy League member Brown University. At the end of preseason competition, it was determined that Massei had won the job and will make his ninth career start vs, Bowie State.

The Seahawks return 2017's fourth-leading FCS rusher in senior Ryan Fulse, who rushed for 1,306 yards a year ago. The Fort Meade, FL native has been well-honored in the preseason. The 5-11, 195-pound Fulse has been named the NEC and Phil Steele NEC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. In addition to earning a spot on each of these respective preseason teams, Fulse is also a Second-Team Preseason All-American by Lindy's Magazine and, most recently, was tabbed as the NEC's lone representative on the prestigious 36-member College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) National Performer of the Year Trophy Watch list. Senior left guard Brady Hudik, with 22 consecutive starts under his belt, anchors an offensive line unit that looks to replace Greg Senat, a sixth-round NFL draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens, and Matt Diaz, who signed a free agent contract with the Tennessee Titans in the offense.

In the pass game, the Green & White return their leading receiver in senior wideout D'Erren Wilson (33 catches, 392 yards) along with Second-Team All-NEC tight end Chris Woodard (22 catches, 210 yards). Defensively, Wagner is expected to be led by an experienced and talented four-man linebacking crew, headed by senior ILB Quintin Hampton, a two-time All-NEC Second-Team choice. Forming a potent one-two punch at ILB with Hampton is redshirt junior Santoni Graham (134 career tackles. At outside linebacker, Wagner features a pair of potential All-League performers in junior Cam Gill (53 tackles, team-high 11 sacks) and junior Allaah Sessions (51 tackles, four sacks). Senior Charbel Dabire is Wagner's most productive returner on the defensive line (22 tackles, 5 TFLs), while senior Sterling Lowry leads the Seahawk secondary with 63 career stops.

SEAHAWKS NAME FIVE CAPTAINS
The five Seahawk captains this season will include running back Ryan Fulse, offensive lineman Brady Hudik, defensive lineman Charbel Dabire, linebacker Santoni Graham, and defensive back Sterling Lowry. "These five young men are proven leaders and productive performers, each of whom have earned the respect of their teammates and coaches alike," said Wagner fourth-year head coach Jason Houghtaling. All five captains are members of the senior class, though Graham, who has one season of eligibility remaining following the 2018 season, is listed as a redshirt-junior. For Graham and Lowry, this marks the second straight season that they will serve as team captains.

WAGNER HEAD COACH JASON HOUGHTALING
Former Wagner associate head coach/offensive coordinator Jason Houghtaling (hO - Tail- Ling), was elevated to head football coach on November 25, 2014 and enters his fourth season at the helm of the Seahawk program in 2018. In his three seasons on Grymes Hill, Houghtaling is 7-11 in NEC play an 11-22 overall, highlighted by a 6-5 season in 2016, which included a 4-2 mark in the Northeast Conference (NEC). That season, the Seahawks had the distinction of being the only NEC team to defeat eventual NEC Champion Saint Francis U.

Under Houghtaling's tutelage, offensive lineman Greg Senat developed into a sixth-round pick of the 2018 NFL Draft when he went in the sixth round to the Baltimore Ravens, becoming just the third Seahawk in program history to be drafted by the NFL. Houghtaling took over for Walt Hameline, who served in the dual role as Seahawk athletic director and head football coach for 34 years, before announcing that he is stepping down from his role as head coach. Hameline remains as Wagner's athletic director. Prior to his appointment as head coach, Houghtaling spent seven seasons on the Wagner sidelines, serving as offensive coordinator during Wagner's 2012 and 2014 Northeast Conference (NEC) title runs, while in-between, spending the 2013 season as offensive coordinator at Cornell.

BOWIE STATE HEAD COACH DAMON WILSON
Damon Wilson enters his 10th year at the helm of the Bowie State University football program. Wilson, who was an all-conference tight end for the Bulldogs (1998), did his first tour of duty as an assistant coach from 1999-2003. As the Assistant Head Coach (Running Backs and Special Teams Coordinator) during those years, BSU's special teams and running game consistently ranked at the top of the conference. During Wilson's first run at Bowie State, the Bulldogs combined an overall record of 26-24 and they were able to bring home a CIAA Eastern Division Championship in 2002.

ABOUT BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY
Bowie State University is a public university with an undergraduate enrollment of 4,711, located on 355½ acres in unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland, north of the suburban city of Bowie. Founded in 1865, Bowie State, which is part of the University System of Maryland, is Maryland's oldest historically black university and one of the 10 oldest in the nation. The Bulldogs' athletic teams compete in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).

ABOUT THE BULLDOGS
Bowie State compiled an impressive 9-2 overall mark (6-1 in CIAA play) in 2017 and hosted its first-ever Division II playoff game, where the Bulldogs lost to Delta State by a 45-35 count. Ranked No. 23 in the final Division II Poll. Bowie State return 45 lettermen and 12 starters from a team that statistically: ranked 1st in NCAA Division II in Total Offense (566.3), 1st in NCAA Scoring Offense (54.5), 1st in NCAA Passing Efficiency Defense (87.41), 4th in NCAA Passing Offense (336.8), 4th in NCAA Team Passing Efficiency (173.03), 4th in NCAA Passing Yards Allowed (144.8) and tied for 2nd in NCAA 4th Down Conversion Percentage (0.733). Bowie State led the CIAA in Points (599), Total Yards (6,229), First Downs Per Game (29.6), Pass Defense and Rushing Defense and ranked second in conference Rushing Yards per Game (229.5) and Red Zone Percentage (62-of-67) 93 percent. On an individual basis, quarterback Amir Hall led the NCAA Division II in Points Responsible For (294), ranked 2nd in Total Offense (356.8), 4th in Passing Yards per Game (319.9) and 5th in Passing Yards (3,519). In terms of CIAA statistics, Hall led the league in Passing Yards Per Game (319.9) and Passing TD's (41).

CIAA Members 
Bowie State 
Chowan
Elizabeth City State  
Fayetteville State
Johnson C. Smith  
Lincoln (Pa.)  
Livingstone  
Shaw  
St. Augustine's  
Virginia State
Virginia Union

WAGNER COLLEGE SEAHAWKS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS 

CIAA welcomes Claflin University this fall

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- The CIAA has extended its southern footprint to the state of South Carolina.

Claflin University in Orangeburg, S.C., becomes the historically black athletic conference’s 13th member this fall and will compete in the CIAA Southern Division.

The privately endowed school of some 2,000 students previously was affiliated with the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association, or SIAC.

The CIAA addition from the Palmetto State will make for some lengthy bus rides. It is 382 miles from Richmond to Orangeburg. It is more than 600 miles from Orangeburg to the CIAA’s northern-most member school, Lincoln University in Lincoln., Pa.

Claflin is 136 miles from CIAA headquarters in Charlotte, N.C. Charlotte also is the site of the CIAA annual men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.

Nicknamed the Panthers, Claflin University does not compete in football. It joins the CIAA with five men’s and six women’s programs.

In men’s sports, Claflin will compete in CIAA basketball, cross country, indoor and outdoor track and baseball.

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Is this the season for J.C. Smith’s turnaround? Here are 10 storylines to follow

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- J.C. Smith football finally has some stability.

Golden Bulls coach Kermit Blount is excited about this year’s squad, which he says has better depth, athleticism and consistency throughout the roster. After going 2-8 in 2017, there’s a sense the program is on the cusp of a rebound, starting with the CIAA South.

“We know, we think, we feel where we should be,” Blount said. “There’s no pressure. We feel urgency for our own personal gain. When you’re in this business, you compete to win, you don’t compete to finish third or fourth.”

J.C Smith, which was picked fifth in the six-team CIAA South, has some work to do to move up. The Golden Bulls’ last winning season was 2012, when they finished 6-4. Here are 10 storylines to watch:

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Ohio Football Kicks Off 2018 Season Saturday Against Howard

Ohio Game Notes (PDF)

ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio football team (0-0) kicks off its 124th season on Saturday (Sept. 1), playing host to NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision opponent Howard (0-0). Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. EST at Peden Stadium. Click here for ticket information or call 1-800-575-CATS (2287).

Saturday's contest will be streamed live on ESPN+, with Matt Stewart and former Georgia starting quarterback Hutson Mason on the call. The game can also be heard on the Ohio IMG Sports Network. Russ Eisenstein returns for his 11th season as the "Voice of the Bobcats." Ohio alum Rob Cornelius, who has been a part of the broadcasts for close to two decades, is back in the booth. The 12-station network has an over-the-air coverage area that hits three states. In addition, the broadcasts are available online through OhioBobcats.com and TuneIn.com/OhioBobcats.com. They are also free on the TuneIn app.

WEEK ONE: Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018 | Howard (0-0) at Ohio (0-0) | 2 p.m. EST | Peden Stadium | Athens, Ohio | ESPN+ | Ohio IMG Sports Network

OPENING KICKOFF
• The Bobcats are coming off of a 2017 campaign in which they went 9-4 overall and finished second in the Mid-American Conference East Division with a 5-3 mark in league play.
• The 2017 season saw Ohio earn bowl eligibility for the ninth-straight season and make its eighth bowl appearance during that span. The Bobcats ended the year on a high note, rolling to a 41-6 triumph over UAB in the Bahamas Bowl.
• Frank Solich is back on the Ohio sidelines as head coach for a 14th season. The Bobcats have gone 97-71 (.577) during Solich's tenure -- including 64-40 (.615) in MAC play. Three more victories will put Solich in the company of Don Peden (1924-46; 121 wins) and Bill Hess (1958-77; 108) as the only coaches in the history of the program to lead the Bobcats to at least 100 victories. Solich has guided Ohio to four MAC East Division titles (2006, '09, '11, '16) and three bowl victories in nine appearances.
• Ohio was tabbed MAC favorite in the league's preseason media poll, which was announced in late July. The Bobcats were picked first in the East Division with a league-best 140 total points. Ohio was also selected to win the 2018 Marathon MAC Football Championship Game, which will be held at Ford Field on Friday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. The contest will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
• Saturday's contest marks Ohio's first-ever meeting with Howard. Ohio is 1-0 all-time against current members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Bobcats beat Norfolk State, 44-10, on Sept. 22, 2012, at Peden Stadium.

LIFTING THE LID
Ohio is 8-5 (.615) in season openers in the Solich era. The Bobcats are seeking their second-straight victory in a season opener and fourth in the last five seasons. Ohio will be opening the season at home for the third year in a row.

Ohio Season Openers Under Solich
Sept. 2, 2017 - vs. Hampton: W, 59-0
Sept. 3, 2016 - vs. Texas State: L, 56-54 (3OT)
Sept. 3, 2015 - at Idaho: W, 45-28
Aug. 30, 2014 - at Kent State: W, 17-14
Sept. 1, 2013 - at No. 9 Louisville: L, 49-7
Sept. 1, 2012 - at Penn State: W, 24-14Sept. 3, 2011 - vs. New Mexico State: W, 44-24
Sept. 4, 2010 - vs. Wofford: W, 33-10
Sept. 5, 2009 - vs. UConn: L, 23-16
Aug. 30, 2008 - at Wyoming: L, 21-20
Sept. 1, 2007 - vs. Gardner-Webb: W, 36-14
Sept. 2, 2006 - vs. UT Martin: W, 29-3Sept. 3, 2005 - at Northwestern: L, 38-14 

A COACHING LEGEND
Entering his 20th season as the man in charge on the sidelines overall and 14th at Ohio, Solich has already cemented his legacy as legendary head coach. Among his achievements:

• Ranks third in MAC history in wins behind Herb Deromedi (110, Central Michigan, 1978-93) and Bill Hess (108, Ohio, 1958-77).
• Is tied for second in MAC history in conference-only wins with Hess, with both trailing Deromedi (90 wins).
• Is tied with Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy as the third-longest tenured head coach in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision behind Iowa's Kirk Ferentz (20th season) and TCU's Gary Patterson (19th).
• Has coached four All-America honorees at Ohio.
• The program has tallied 94 All-MAC selections during his tenure.
• Nine players have been selected in the NFL Draft under his watch.

CONSISTENCY IS KEY
Ohio is the only program in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision to have the same head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator for the last 14 years as Tim Albin (Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs) and Jimmy Burrow (Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Safeties) both return to Solich's staff in 2018.

Longevity is a theme on the Solich staff. Dwayne Dixon(12th year; Wide Receivers) and Brian Haines (11th year; Special Teams/Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator) have both coached under Solich for over a decade. Three other assistants have been with Solich for at least five years -- Ron Collins (Eighth year; Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers), Scott Isphording (Sixth year; Quarterbacks) and Chris Rodgers (Sixth year; Assistant AD for Football Operations). Pete Germano (Defensive Line), De'Angelo Smith (Defensive Backs) and Ryan Bainbridge (Director of Player Personnel and High School Relations) are all beginning their second seasons, though this is Germano's second stint at Ohio; he spent 11 seasons on the Bobcats' staff before serving as the defensive line coach at Fresno State for five seasons. 

New to the Solich coaching staff in 2018 are Bart Miller (Offensive Line) and Tremayne Scott (Defensive Tackles). Miller comes to Athens after serving as tight ends coach at Air Force last season. He has coached the offensive lines at Minnesota, Florida Atlantic, New Mexico State and Wisconsin. Scott is a familiar face to followers of the Bobcats. At 2012 graduate of Ohio, he played in 35 games on the defensive line for the Bobcats, registering 71.5 tackles, 7.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and one interception. He earned All-MAC Second Team recognition after his junior season. He was also named Defensive Player of the Game following Ohio's 45-14 victory over Louisiana-Monroe in the 2012 Advocare V100 Independence Bowl. Scott spent the last two years coaching at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis. 

PUTTING UP THE POINTS
Ohio set new single-season standards for points scored (508) and highest scoring average (39.1), average yards per carry (5.7) and rushing touchdowns (44). Ohio ranked 34th in the country in total offense (433.1 yards per game) -- including 16th in rushing offense (244.5 yards per game) -- and ninth in scoring.

SEEING RED
Not surprisingly, the Bobcats boasted one of the most opportunistic red zone offenses in the nation a year ago, scoring on 91.9 percent (57-of-62) of their trips inside the opponents' 20-yard line to rank 12th in the country. Ohio scored a staggering 35 red zone rushing touchdowns, which was good for third in the country. 

POUND THE ROCK
Ohio's ground game was crucial to its offensive success in 2017. The Bobcats ranked 16th in the country in rushing offense (244.5 yards per game). In total, Ohio compiled 3,179 rushing yards to rank 15th in the country -- the fifth-most rushing yards in a single season in program history. The Bobcats' 5.74 average yards per carry ranked as the most in program history and ninth-most in the country while their 44 rushing touchdowns set a new program standard and ranked fourth in the nation.

The Bobcats ran for at least 200 yards seven times a year ago -- including three performances of over 300 yards. The high mark came in a 38-10 thumping of eventual MAC champion Toledo on Nov. 8 at Peden Stadium when Ohio racked up a season-high 393 yards on the ground.

RUNNING DOWN A DREAM
Redshirt senior running back A.J. Ouellette (Covington, Ohio) has blossomed from walk-on buried on the depth chart heading into his 2014 freshman campaign to climbing the charts on Ohio's rushing records.

Ouellette heads into his final season with the Bobcats ranked ninth in school history with 2,478 career rushing yards. He needs just 48 more yards to pass Arnold Welcher (1974-77) for eighth place and 137 more to pass Kevin Babcock (1976-79) for seventh. His 506 career carries rank as the 10th-most in program history, and his nine career games with at least 100 yards rush are good for ninth-most in program history.

In 2017, Ouellette became the first Ohio back to rush for at least 1,000 yards in a single season, finishing with 1,006 to become the first since Beau Blankenship piled up 1,604 in 2012.

AIR CANADA (WITH GROUND SUPPORT)
Quarterback Nathan Rourke (Oakville, Ontario, Canada) burst onto the scene for Ohio in 2017, earning All-MAC Second Team honors for his efforts. He etched his name in the program's top-10 for passing yards (2,203; ninth), completions (161; tied-10th), touchdown passes (17; seventh) and passing efficiency (132.9; ninth) in a single season. He threw for the most yards by an Ohio sophomore signal caller since Tyler Tettleton passed for 3,302 yards in 2011. 

Rourke proved problematic for opposing defenses not only because of his arm but because of his legs as well. He set the program record for rushing touchdowns in a single season with 21, which tied him for third-most in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in 2017 with Washington running back Myles Gaskin and ranked as the most by a quarterback in the country last season. His 6.66 yards per carry a year ago rank as the fourth-highest in a single season in program history and ranked as the 11th-highest average in the country, finishing just behind former Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson (6.90) of Louisville. Rourke tallied five 100-yard games last season, tying him for the 10th-most in a single season in program history.

In all, Rourke accounted for 3,115 total yards of offense (sixth-most in a single season in program history), averaging 7.26 yards per play (second-most in a single season in program history) and 239.6 yards per game (fourth-most in a single season in program history. He set Ohio's single-season scoring record with 132 points (tied for sixth-most in the nation in 2017), 22 touchdowns scored (fifth-most in the nation in 2017) and 39 touchdowns responsible for. His 234 points responsible for tied him for ninth-most in the country last year.

Rourke enters his junior season with his name appearing on the Manning, Maxwell and O'Brien award watch lists.

STRENGTH IN THE SECONDARY
Ohio returns three-fourths of its defensive backfield in 2018. 

Redshirt junior free safety Javon Hagan (Jacksonville, Fla.) was an All-MAC Second Team pick a year ago after ranking second on the team with 85 total tackles (45 solo, 40 assisted). He picked off one pass and forced one fumble. The 2016 MAC Freshman of the Year is on the watch list for the Thorpe Award entering this season.

The Bobcats return redshirt senior Kylan Nelson (Lexington, Ky.) at strong safety. Nelson was sixth on the team with 53 total tackles (28 solo, 25 assisted) and third with eight pass breakups.

Redshirt senior Jalen Fox (Cincinnati, Ohio) is back as the starting right cornerback after tying for second on the team with two interceptions and ranking second with 11 pass breakups a year ago.

Ohio's secondary lost All-MAC Third Team left cornerback Bradd Ellis, who led the Bobcats with 19 pass breakups and tied for second on the squad with two interceptions. Two sophomores who are natives of Miami, Fla., Jamal Hudson and Marlin Brooks, are vying to take the starting spot this year.

KICKING GAME SPECIAL
The Bobcats have the luxury of returning one of the top special teams tandems in the country in redshirt junior kicker Louie Zervos (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) and redshirt junior punter Michael Farkas (Mishawaka, Ind.). 

Zervos enters the season having been named to the Groza Award Preseason Watch list for the second year in a row. He was an All-MAC Third Team pick in 2017 after making 15 of his 18 field goal attempts and drilling 61 extra points. He enters this year tied for fourth in program history in career points scored (229) and ranked second in career field goals made (44) and fourth in career extra points made (96). His 83.1 percent career field goal percentage is good for second-best in program history.

Farkas enters his third season as Ohio's punter ranked eighth in program history in career punting yards (5,261).

Also back for the Bobcats is senior Jake Hale (Powell, Ohio) to once again handle the long snapping duties.

A LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE
Following the matchup against Howard, Ohio will play back-to-back road games at Virginia (Sept. 15) and Cincinnati (Sept. 22). The Bobcats will take on the Cavaliers for the first time since 1993 when Virginia was ranked No. 21 in the country at the time. The all-time series against in-state rival Cincinnati is deadlocked at 23-23-4, but the Bobcats have not faced the Bearcats since 1981. Ohio wraps up non-conference play with a battle with UMass (Sept. 29) at Peden Stadium. The Bobcats escaped Amherst with a wild 58-50 victory over the Minutemen last September. 

MAC play opens with back-to-back road games at Kent state (Oct. 6) and Northern Illinois (Oct. 13). Ohio closes October out with a Homecoming matchup against Bowling Green (Oct. 20) and a home game against Ball State (Oct. 25). The Bobcats are back on the road again to start November, visiting Western Michigan (Nov. 1) and archrival Miami (Nov. 7). The regular season concludes with home showdowns against Buffalo (Nov. 14) and Akron (Nov. 23). 

FOLLOW THE LEADERS
Ohio enters 2018 with seven team captains -- Ouellette, Lowery, Hagan, Rourke, Nelson, Berger and Croutch. Ouellette is a three-year team captain while Lowery and Hagan are both two-year team captains.

CELEBRATING '68
The Bobcats are set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1968 team capturing the program's last MAC championship. Ohio went 10-0 in the regular season that year -- including 6-0 in league play -- under the legendary Hess. The Bobcats earned an invitation to the Tangerine Bowl, where Ohio fell to Richmond, 49-42. Ohio placed 10 players on the All-MAC team that season -- quarterback Cleve Bryant (First Team), offensive tackle Ken Carmon (First Team), fullback Bob Houmard (First Team), halfback Dave LeVeck (First Team), linebacker Steve Robinson (First Team), center Jeff Robison (First Team), end Todd Snyder (First Team), offensive tackle Frank Peters (Second Team), defensive back Craig Rader (Second Team) and tight end Phil Swindell (Second Team). Bryant, Carmon and Snyder were all also named All-Americans Snyder is still the one of the most decorated Bobcat receivers ever, still ranking sixth in career receptions (140), second in career receiving yards (2,241) and fourth in touchdown catches (15). Snyder's 214 receiving yards in the Tangerine Bowl remain an Ohio single-game record. Bryant still ranks eighth in career passing yards (3,414) and third in career touchdown passes (29) in program history.

SCOUTING HOWARD
Howard finished 7-4 a season ago in head coach Mike London's first season at the helm -- including 6-2 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play. In London's first game as head coach of the Bison, Howard stunned UNVL, 43-40, in Las Vegas. London came to Howard after serving as the head coach at Virginia for six years (2010-15). He made his mark in the coaching profession at Richmond, where he led the Spiders to a 24-5 record in two years as head coach -- including a Football Championship Subdivision title in 2008. 

The Bison return sophomore quarterback Caylin Newton -- the younger brother of Carolina Panthers starting quarterback Cam Newton. The 2017 MEAC Rookie of the Year became the first freshman in conference history to surpass 3,000 yards of total offense (3,185). Including Newton (Second Team), Howards boasts nine Preseason All-MEAC Team selections -- junior Jequez Ezzard (First Team-Wide Receiver; Second Team-Return Specialist), center James Holmon (First Team), offensive lineman Tyrone Ramsey (First Team), linebacker Marcellus Allison (Second Team), wide receiver Kyle Anthony (Second Team), defensive back Bryan Cook (Second Team), kicker Dakota Lebofsky (Third Team) and defensive lineman Aaron Motley (Third Team)

UP NEXT
Following a bye week, Ohio visits Atlantic Coast Conference opponent Virginia on Sept. 15. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. from Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Va. The contest can be seen on ACC Network Extra. The Bobcats will be looking for their first win over an ACC team since beating former conference member Maryland, 21-14, on Sept. 6, 1997, in College Park, Md.

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