Ohio Bobcats Dispatch of Gardner-Webb 36-14: The Good and the Bad

Ohio 36 Gardner-Webb 14

Overall, I would give the Bobcats a solid B rating in this game. They did some things remarkably well(special teams), and some things remarkably bad(offensive line), and some things in-between the two extremes(passing offense). Let's get down to the nitty gritty shall we!

The game ball goes to: backup running back Josh Abrams: Rarely in my 23 years of existence have I seen a player change the complexion of a game on special teams like Josh Abrams did on Saturday night against Gardner-Webb. The punt blocking assassin blocked three punts against the Runnin' Bulldogs, giving the Bobcats a much shorter field on two occasions and recording a safety on the other. Without his three blocks, a very scrappy Gardner-Webb team likely would've made this game much more interesting than it was down the stretch. Abrams' three blocked punts were one shy of an NCAA and MAC record. His impressive performance was enough to earn him MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

I simply couldn't be happier for the senior, because Abrams had been one of the Bobcats' best practice players for the past two years, it is just nobody outside the program ever heard about it. He's a special teams' demon and had three blocked punts in 2006. He currently has six blocked punts for his career, moving him even closer to the NCAA record of 10. The NCAA single-season record for punt blocks is seven and I would look for Abrams to break both records as the season progresses for the Green and White.

Teams will likely scheme against him starting next week with Louisiana-Lafayette, but I'm not sure if there is any way you can stop him. His blazing 4.30 speed makes him a nightmare to block coming off the edge and I feel sorry for any special teams' coach that tries to stop him.