Ohio.com - UA's Brookhart warns Ohio better than record

''They have been close in every game except the last one,'' Brookhart said. ''They had Ohio State on the ropes. They have had a lot of close football games. The record doesn't indicate how good they are.''

The second number is ''3,'' which is the ranking in total defense for coach Frank Solich's Bobcats in the Mid-American Conference.

''Their defense has always been a strong suit,'' Brookhart said. ''What you see from them is what you always see from Frank's defense. They play fast, they play hard, they play downhill.''

The Bobcats (2-8, 1-5) had a demanding early schedule and were 0-4 by mid-September. Ohio was competitive in all four games, losing on the road to Wyoming (21-20), Ohio State (26-14), and Northwestern (16-8) and at home to Central Michigan (31-28).

But injuries and turnover problems turned a more winnable stretch of games after that into just two victories and four losses.

From start to finish, though, Ohio has relied on its defense. The 344.3 average in total yards allowed has Ohio ranked behind only Northern Illinois and Ball State in the MAC. Breaking it down further, Ohio is No. 1 in pass defense (178.3 yard average), No. 4 in sacks (17) and No. 6 in least points allowed (25.9).

The Zips, meanwhile, will counter with an offense that is highly ranked in the MAC as well. UA is No. 5 in total offense (405.5 yard average) and No. 2 in scoring (31.2).

Senior tailback Dennis Kennedy has been the offensive mainstay. He has rushed for 754 yards in his last four games to give him 1,045 on the season, which has him No. 4 in the MAC.

The Zips also have been able to advance the ball through the air. Quarterback Chris Jacquemain is fourth in the MAC in passing yardage (234.7), behind only the more celebrated Tim Hiller (Orrville) of Western Michigan, Nate Davis of Ball State and Dan LeFevour of Central Michigan.

His favorite targets have been Andre Jones and Deryn Bowser, who are fifth and 10th in receiving yards, respectively, in the MAC.

Solich knows that his highly ranked defense will be tested Saturday by UA's highly ranked — and balanced — offense.

''They have an excellent group of receivers and the big running back to go with it,'' Solich said. ''That's a tough combination to stop.''

The Zips' offense, in general, and Jacquemain, in particular, would be even more productive on the field and statistically if it weren't for the drops that have stopped drives and ruined scoring chances.

''A lot of dropped balls didn't help him,'' said Brookhart, referring to the flubs last week in a 43-40 lost to the University at Buffalo in the Rubber Bowl finale. ''It's a focus every week. It's frustrating, obviously, and we will continue to work on it.''

The Zips still have an outside chance to win the East Division title in the MAC, but that could change today. If Buffalo defeats host Bowling Green, the race is over.

If Bowling Green wins and the Zips win, the championship will not be decided until Nov. 28.

Brookhart said the myriad of title possibilities doesn't concern him as much as going 7-5 and being in position for a bowl bid.

''We realize there is still an opportunity out there and that is to be bowl-eligible,'' he said. ''All we control is one piece of that and that is winning this week. That will be our focus.''

The Zips' final regular-season game is Nov. 28 in Philadelphia against Temple.

Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.