Instead of searching for a No. 1 behind center, the Bobcats have settled on playing two.
Boo Jackson has shared the quarterback duties with Phil Bates as the Ohio Bobcats have won two of their first three conference games.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- At the start of the season, Ohio University football coach Frank Solich said he would use a two-quarterback system until either Boo Jackson or Phil Bates emerged as the No. 1 guy.
It's now midseason, the Bobcats are 3-3 overall, 2-1 in the Mid-American Conference, and instead of searching for a No. 1 behind center the Bobcats have settled on playing two.
This decision comes on the heels of OU's 49-25 victory over Bowling Green. The win keeps the Bobcats within reach of successfully defending its MAC East Division title. They are one game behind Miami, with a game against the RedHawks (3-3, 2-0) coming after Ohio hosts winless Akron (0-6, 0-2) this week.
"We used two QBs throughout the course of the game, and that seemed to work out well for us," Solich said Monday on the MAC's weekly teleconference. "I think we know what we want to be about in terms of those two quarterbacks.
"They both have a lot they bring to the table. Phil is an excellent runner, and he can throw the ball. Boo is a guy who can run our complete offense. But there are ways to have Phil's strong arm and ability to run the ball come into play also. He's able to make the truly big play, the 50-, 60- 70-yard run."
While the Miami game looms, the first challenge will be the Zips, and Solich does not discount Akron's ability to pull an upset.
"As you watch them on tape, they do good things," he said. "I like the effort they give, in terms of their toughness. I think they're getting better week by week."
He's the man: Find the quarterback currently playing the best in the MAC, and you will find the team playing the best.
Northern Illinois quarterback Chandler Harnish continued his stellar play in a 31-17 win over Temple. Harnish was 20-of-25 passing for 211 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 71 yards, helping the Huskies move to 4-2, 2-0.
NIU coach Jerry Kill told the media after the Temple victory: "It's unbelievable what the kid is doing."
On the season, Harnish is 80-of-112 passing for 927 yards and eight TDs. He has also rushed for 382 yards and two TDs. Northern is tied with Toledo (3-3, 2-0) atop the West standings and is one of only two conference teams (Temple, 4-2, 1-1) with a winning record.
Safety switch: The latest ray of hope for Akron to get a victory shines on receiver/wildcat Jalil Carter. The 6-0, 200-pound senior and former All-MAC safety was converted to a wide receiver this season in a move that raised the eyebrows of many Akron fans.
His production through six games -- 10 receptions for 90 yards -- has been minimal, but Carter was used in the wildcat formation against Kent State, which led to a 34-yard run. Watch for him to have his hands on the ball more.
Power outage? Temple was predicted to be the MAC powerhouse this season. Yet they seem to go as tailback Bernard Pierce goes.
Evidence? In the Owls' loss to NIU, the sophomore ran three times for six yards. He has gained just 349 yards this season, far off his 1,361-yard pace set as a freshman.