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A smack in the face by FCS opponent Duquesne, a last-minute loss on homecoming and the departure of its head coach right before the start of the season highlighted the ugly for Ohio. However, it is now ready to turn the page and start anew.
Here’s what to know about the Bobcats for 2022:
Coaching staff
Head coach Tim Albin is entering his second season at the helm, but his staff looks a little different this time around.
The Bobcats lost their quarterbacks coach, Tyler Tettleton, before the spring started. The former Ohio standout-turned-coach went pro and became the assistant running backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars March 5. Tettleton helped navigate Ohio’s dual quarterback system last season.
But, Ohio had already made moves before then. Jan. 20, Ohio introduced Spence Nowinsky as its new defensive coordinator. Nowinsky had spent the past four seasons as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Miami.
The Bobcats also added John Hauser to their staff in the offseason. Hauser spent the past eight years with Miami as the cornerbacks coach before coming to Ohio. Hauser joined the staff as the new safeties coach.
Ohio seemed to be acclimating well to the new coaching staff during spring practice, but only time will tell if the changes will prove to be fruitful.
Roster additions
The Bobcats added a handful of new members to the pack, but two additions stand out above the rest.
May 7, Ohio received a quarterback transfer from Central Florida, Parker Navarro. While Navarro was not Central Florida’s number one guy, he did take a handful of snaps last season. Navarro marks the fourth quarterback on Ohio’s roster and the third to be a redshirt sophomore.
During the spring, it looked like the Bobcats were ready to shed the dual quarterback system, but the addition of Navarro may change that — especially if Kurtis Rourke does not prove to be well rounded.
The second addition was Sam Wiglusz, a graduate transfer wide receiver from Ohio State. Wiglusz was a second-string at Ohio State; however, he was a member of a talented crop.
Wiglusz was with the Buckeyes for four seasons where he played in four career games. It doesn’t sound like much, but the experience of playing for a high-caliber team may bring some leadership to the Bobcats.
Schedule
Ohio is going to travel a hard road in 2022. Its second game of the season is in an unkind environment at Penn State. However, Ohio does have experience at Beaver Stadium. Ohio upset Penn State 24-14 in 2012. But, things are not the same now as they were then.
The Bobcats also have to begin Mid-American Conference play on the road. Ohio will play its first conference game at Kent State Oct. 1. Last season, the Golden Flashes snapped the Bobcats’ six-year winning streak against them. It will be interesting to see how the Bobcats fare when they travel to Kent.
Several factors are going to make this Ohio season different from the last, but that doesn’t guarantee a better performance by the team.