The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1133482
THE WOLVERINE 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 139 BY ANDREW HUSSEY Ohio State football enters a new era in 2019. Gone from its sidelines is Urban Meyer, who coached for seven seasons in Columbus, lost only four conference games and never finished below tied for first in the division. Taking his place is 40-year-old former of- fensive coordinator Ryan Day, who went 3-0 while serving as the interim head coach last year. At quarterback, Ohio State is replacing Heisman finalist Dwayne Haskins with highly touted transfer Justin Fields. The for- mer Georgia signal-caller has large shoes to fill because Haskins helped Ohio State rank second in the country in passing offense (364.3 yards per game) last year. Although the Buckeyes lost wide receiv- ers Parris Campbell, Terry McLaurin and Johnnie Dixon — who combined for 2,649 receiving yards in 2018 — they return a tal- ented group of pass catchers, led by seniors K.J. Hill and Austin Mack. Hill's 144 career receptions rank sixth all time at Ohio State, and he needs only 48 catches this season to become the program leader in the cat- egory. Mack has produced 52 receptions for 689 yards and three scores while making 21 starts during his career. At tight end, Ohio State returns redshirt junior Luke Farrell and fifth-year senior Rashod Berry, who combined to start 14 games last season. Ohio State's 23,261 rushing yards since the start of the 2012 season rank second among Power Five teams and its 5.7 yards per rush is first. The Buckeyes should continue to have a successful ground attack in 2019 behind junior running back J.K. Dobbins, who is the first Ohio State player to rush for at least 1,000 yards in his freshman and sophomore seasons. However, the Buckeyes must replace a combined 116 starts along the offensive line after losing right tackle Isaiah Prince and center Michael Jordan, who both had 41 career starts. Junior left tackle Thayer Mun- ford is now the leader up front with 13 career starts. While Ohio State's offense was explosive in 2018, its defense surrendered 25.5 points per game — the most in program history, topping the previous worst of 24.7 in 1989. Ohio State hadn't allowed more than 23 points per game since 1999. OSU brings back junior defensive end Chase Young, senior defensive end Jonathon Cooper and senior defensive tackle Robert Landers up front. That trio combined for 27 tackles for loss in 2018. At linebacker, Ohio State returns 100 per- cent of its tackle production from 2018, led by senior Malik Harrison (81 stops) and red- shirt junior Tuf Borland (67). Borland was just one of seven sophomore captains in the country last season. At the other two spots, OSU has two strong options in junior Pete Werner (58 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles last year) and Brendon White (46 tackles and four tackles for loss). In the secondary, all four of the likely 2019 starters are upperclassmen. Senior safety Jordan Fuller will lead the way after tying Harrison for the team lead with 81 stops last season. Redshirt junior punter Drue Chrisman helped the Buckeyes lead the Big Ten in net punting (and rank sixth nationally at 41.76 yards per attempt) in 2018 while dropping 27 kicks inside the 20 and 17 inside the 10. Junior kicker Blake Haubeil made 10 of 13 field goals last season and all 37 extra point attempts. Ohio State has a lot of questions to answer heading into the season, but once again the Buckeyes have the talent to compete for a Big Ten championship. Notes Athlon Sports listed junior defensive lineman Chase Young, senior safety Jordan Fuller, running J.K. Dobbins, offensive lineman Thayer Munford and punter Drue Chrisman as first-team All-Big Ten performers … Quarterback Justin Fields, wide receiver K.J. Hill, linebacker Malik Harrison and cornerback Jeffrey Okudah were all second-team all-league selections … Fields was No. 9 on Athlon's Heisman watch list … Ohio State's 535.6 yards per game last year ranked first in the Big Ten and second in the country. ❑ Ohio State Begins Life Without Urban Meyer 2019 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2018 Result Aug. 31 Florida Atlantic — Sept. 7 Cincinnati — Sept. 14 at Indiana W, 49-26 Sept. 21 Miami (Ohio) — Sept. 28 at Nebraska W, 36-31 Oct. 5 Michigan State W, 26-6 Oct. 18 at Northwestern W, 45-24 Oct. 26 Wisconsin — Nov. 9 Maryland W, 52-51 (OT) Nov. 16 at Rutgers W, 52-3 Nov. 23 Penn State W, 27-26 Nov. 30 at Michigan W, 62-39 PLAYERS TO WATCH Offense: J.K. Dobbins, Jr., RB — Named second-team All-Big Ten in 2018 by the coaches … Has 2,456 career rushing yards … Rushed for 1,053 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2018 … Has nine 100-yard rushing games in his career and the Buck - eyes are 9-0 in those games. Defense: Chase Young, Jr., DL — Had 10.5 sacks in 2018… His 0.75 sacks per game last season were second most in the Big Ten … His 15.5 tackles for loss last season led the Buckeyes and were the fifth most in the Big Ten … Also posted a team-high nine QB hurries to go along with five passes broken up and two forced fumbles. Former five-star recruit Justin Fields is ex- pected to be Ohio State's starting quarter- back this fall after transferring from Georgia. PHOTO COURTESY OHIO STATE GAME 12 • OHIO STATE BUCKEYES • NOV. 30 QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: U-M leads 58-51-6 First Meeting U-M 34, OSU 0 (Oct. 16, 1987, at Ann Arbor) Last Meeting: OSU 62, U-M 39 (Nov. 24, 2018, at Columbus) Head Coach: Ryan Day, 3-0 at Ohio State as interim coach in 2018 (1st year) 2018 In Review: 13-1 overall, 8-1 Big Ten (1st East) Final 2018 Ranking: No. 3 in Associated Press and coaches' polls Returning Starters: 15 (4 offense, 9 defense, 2 specialists) Last Bowl Appearance: 2018 (Rose Bowl vs. Wash - ington, W 28-23) Big Ten Championships (last): 37 (2018) RETURNING LEADERS Passing: Justin Fields (328 yards, 4 TD)* Rushing: J.K Dobbins (1,053 yards, 10 TD) Receiving: K.J. Hill (885 yards, 6 TD) Tackles: Jordan Fuller and Malik Harrison (81) Sacks: Chase Young (10.5) Interceptions: Shaun Wade (3) * at Georgia