Bio Blast: Ohio Bobcats

Kentucky showed off their strong football culture with a resilient performance in Week 3, but that does not change the fact that the Wildcats are still behind the eight ball. Mark Stoops and his football program need wins after a 1-2 start. A great opportunity will arrive on Saturday afternoon.

Ohio has won two consecutive home games since a season-opening three-possession loss to Syracuse in Week 1. The Bobcats are consistently one of the best programs in the Group of Five and should contend for another MAC championship this season.

KSR is shifting the attention to Week 4. Can the Wildcats stack back-to-back good performances together? We will find out soon.

Star tailback

Head coach Tim Albin and offensive coordinator Brian Smith had much to replace off the 2023 roster. The Bobcats returned only two starters losing every notable skill talent player. There were many unknowns about this offense entering 2024.

We now know that this attack is centered around tailback Anthony Tyus III.

The Northwestern transfer rushed for 238 yards last season in the Big Ten but has quickly made an impact in Athens. Tyus ranks No. 8 nationally in rushing yards per game (122.3) having rolled up 367 yards on 7.5 yards per rush. The senior has been efficient (51% success rate) and explosive (28.6% explosive run rate). Ohio’s offensive attack starts with No. 2.

According to PFF data, Tyus has forced 26 missed tackles on 49 rush attempts and is averaging over five yards after contact. The former top-500 recruit had four rush attempts go for over 15 yards against Syracuse in Week 1 at 226 pounds.

Ohio will want to give their best player touches on offense in a run game that will use both gap and zone schemes. Kentucky must slow down Tyus to slow down Ohio.

Stout run defense, leaky pass defense

Through three weeks, we know that Kentucky has a good rushing attack and a passing game that needs much work. That could make the matchup with Ohio difficult for the three-possession favorite.

The Bobcats lost defensive coordinator Spence Nowinsky to Memphis but promoted safeties coach John Hauser. The 44-year-old is entering his 11th consecutive season in the MAC and first as a defensive play-caller. So far, this unit has a clear identity.

Ohio’s 4-2-5 attack is stout against the run but leaky against the pass.

The Bobcats currently rank No. 25 in rushing success rate allowed (31.4%). A defensive front with a bunch of new starters held their own against Syracuse and South Alabama. The same cannot be said for the pass defense.

Ohio State transfer Kyle McCord threw for 354 yards on 9.1 yards per attempt in Week 1. South Alabama backup quarterback Bishop Davenport threw for 228 yards with a 62.2 percent completion rate in Week 2. The Bobcats put the clamps on Morgan State, but this unit ranks No. 112 in passing success rate allowed (46.7%) and No. 119 in passing EPA/play allowed (0.22).

The pass rush has been effective with EDGE Bradley Weaver recording 18 pressures in three games and Nevada transfer Marcel Walker-Burgess making a big early impact (seven tackles, interception, forced fumble) opposite Weaver on the defensive line through 12 quarters. But there have been holes in coverage when clean pockets are created.

Could this be the matchup where Kentucky’s passing game gets ramped up? It seems advantageous on paper, but Ohio’s run fits might cause some issues for UK’s traditional run game.

QB controversy?

Parker Navarro began his collegiate career at UCF and spent two seasons with the Knights before transferring to Ohio. After backing up Kurtis Rourke for two seasons, Navarro is finally getting his shot as a redshirt senior.

After leading the Bobcats to a win in the Myrtle Beach Bowl, the start to the 2024 season has been up-and-down for a fifth-year quarterback who will make his fifth career start against Kentucky on Saturday.

Navarro was benched in the Week 3 win against Morgan State after throwing three interceptions. Backup Nick Poulos only completed 2-of-4 passes off the pine. Could Kentucky see multiple quarterbacks on Saturday at Kroger Field? That seems possible.

Navarro has completed 68.5 percent of his passes this season but has thrown two touchdowns and four interceptions. The Bobcats are staying ahead of the chains (No. 43 in passing success rate) but have not been great at finding chunk gains (17.8% explosive pass rate) with the veteran behind center. The former three-star recruit posted over 50 non-sack rushing yards in the first two games but had two fumbles. Ball security has been an issue.

Do not be surprised if a quarterback change is made if there is an early turnover. Regardless of who is at quarterback, Northern Arizona transfer Coleman Owen is quickly emerging as a top target at wideout. The slot receiver has gone over 100 yards receiving twice in three games and has a target share of 37.8 percent. The Bobcats are force-feeding the veteran with 198 career receptions.