Defenses in the MAC should have reason to worry this fall.
That’s because the best offense from last season is returning nine of its starters. The only starters that won’t be returning for Ohio are WR James Bostic and OL Hagen Meservy. Most of the production from an offense that averaged 31.8 PPG and 421.4 YPG will be back.
This includes MAC Offensive Player of the Year Kurtis Rourke, who is recovering from a torn right ACL he suffered against Ball State on Nov. 15. He was, however, in full pads at Ohio’s Spring Game last month:
Prior to his injury, Rourke amassed 3,256 passing yards while tossing 25 touchdowns to four picks. Even after missing the final two conference games of the season, those numbers paced the league. His 296 passing yards per game ranked 10th in the country. The redshirt senior also added 249 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
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Obviously the Bobcats offense took a step back when Rourke suffered his injury — no disrespect to backup QB CJ Harris — but it still had plenty of firepower.
Sieh Bangura was one of the top RBs in the league and rushed for 1,078 yards and 13 scores on 222 carries. His 89.8 YPG were fourth in the MAC and he also added 226 receiving yards and two receiving TDs. Backup Nolan McCormick will also be back after logging 83 totes for 289 yards and one TD last year.
Along with that returning backfield production, there are plenty of weapons on the outside that Rourke is familiar with. First Team All-MAC selection Sam Wiglusz finished with 11 touchdowns in 2022 which was tied for the most in the league. His 73 receptions were tied for second in the MAC and his 877 yards were third.
There should be a lot more of this in 2023:
Also returning are wideouts Jacoby Jones and Miles Cross. Jones hauled in 45 catches for 776 yards and six scores and averaged 17.2 YPR, which was second in the conference behind Bostic. Cross’ 47 receptions were second on the roster while his 560 yards and three TDs were fourth.
Tight ends Will Kacmarek and Tyler Foster will also be wearing the green and white for another season. Kacmarek caught 20 passes for 264 yards, and Foster was a redzone threat, chipping in with 13 receptions for 185 yards and four touchdowns.
Not only will most of the skill guys be back, but so will most of the big guys that do damage up front and make things happen. Rourke will keep the same outside protection in Jay Amburgey and Shedrick Rhodes Jr. Amburgey started 10 games at left tackle last season while Rhodes started 11 games at right tackle. Kurt Danneker also started 11 games at left guard and Parker Titsworth was steady at center, starting in each game.
There’s not a ton that beats familiarity and consistency, especially when there’s this much.
Coach Tim Albin and Ohio completely flipped things around in 2022, going 10-4 and picking up a win over Wyoming in the Arizona Bowl following a 3-9 2021 campaign. This was in large part because of the breakout of this offense and the play across the board.
The Bobcats were well on their way to possibly winning their first MAC title since 1968 prior to Nov. 15. With what they’re bringing back, this team is among the favorites to win that title and should continue to be the best offense in the conference, and one of the best in the Group of Five.
