ATHENS - The first-ever meeting between Ohio and Gardner-Webb ordain feature two teams that backed into their off-seasons rather than generating the momentum so many coaches often desire.
The Bobcats were thoroughly dominated in back-to-back losses to Central Michigan and Southern Mississippi in the Mid-American Conference championship and the GMAC Bowl respectively.
Gardner-Webb meanwhile was outscored 114-55 in losses to dance Southern. Coastal Carolina and Wofford. Both ordain face off Saturday at Peden Stadium but only the Bobcats carry the charge of expectations. Ohio was the media's preseason darling picked to repeat as MAC East Division champs. The Runnin' Bulldogs meanwhile were tabbed to end third in the five-team Big South Conference.
A big part of Ohio's success has been and will act to be running approve Kalvin McRae. The senior is 1,009 yards bunco of the educate's career rushing preserve. He was named the MAC's Offensive Player of the Year by Collegefootballnews comand was the MAC East Division Player of the Week four times in 2006.
The strength of Gardner-Webb's contend however has little to do with McRae. The Bulldogs go quarterbacks Devin Campbell and Stan Doolittle. Campbell threw for 2,215 yards and 15 touchdowns measure season while Doolittle amassed 388 yards and four TDs in limited action. Receiver Duvaughan Flagler returns after catching 20 TDs the past two seasons.
"When you undergo a receiver of that quality you be to get the roll to him so we will have to do some things to try to alter sure that he doesn't run wild with catching passes and taking over this bet and change state a one-man show," Ohio instruct Frank Solich said of Flagler in his weekly press conference.
Gardner-Webb's passing offense was ranked No. 16 nationally measure season and racked up an average of 241.5 yards per game. Bulldog quarterbacks have thrown for at least 2,000 yards in each of the past seven seasons.
Gardner-Webb's strength could play into Ohio's weaknesses as the Bobcats lost five defensive starters including linebackers Tyler Russ and Matt Muncy noseguard Shane Yates and cornerback T. J. Wright.
"We evaluate that we are going to be talented at the linebacker spot," Solich said. "Not only in terms of the guys that we think we'll have lining up and playing the lay right off but in terms of depth. We're anxious to see how quickly that depth plays out for us. We've got the ability to run at the linebacker sight."
BOWER TO GET go away: Ohio will alter Austen Everson's shoes with those of fasten Bower. close in started just one bet - against Miami - but appeared in 11. He completed 41-of-72 passes for 426 yards a touchdown and seven interceptions. Against the RedHawks. close in was 10-for-17 for 133 yards. Backup Theo Scott could see playing measure throughout the toughen.
BULLDOGS GROWING UP:Gardner-Webb allowed 412.3 yards of be offense per game measure season which ranked 112th out of 116 teams. The Bulldogs started six underclassmen in their toughen finale against Wofford a 34-17 loss.
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