Ohio uses balanced attack, shut-down 'D' in victory

Execute a game plan with a surgeon's precision? Check. Simplifying the game while also providing challenging plays to help the quarterback progress in his first start? Check. Establish a tempo and exact a will on an opponent early and often, maintaining that tempo and pressure until the game is firmly secured? Check.

The Ohio Bobcats delivered an impressive performance in Las Cruces, N.M., on Saturday, dominating New Mexico State 44-24.

First impressions might be overrated, but for a team that has been a perennially slow starter, an opening performance with significantly more exciting plays than mistakes was a welcome sight. Both the offensive and defensive units looked completely in sync, each setting a high standard of performance from the game's first snap.

The team's readiness is a testament to the work head coach Frank Solich and his staff did preparing the team. (This was Solich's 99^th career victory, making his record in his seventh season at Ohio, 41-36.)

Unlike in previous years, the team looked like it could run some plays in their sleep. The blitz packages stymied New Mexico State quarterback Andrew Manley, who gained the majority of his 362 yards passing after Ohio had taken a 34-point lead in the fourth quarter. The offense made it look easy at times, with the big guys up front consistently getting a push that allowed runners to get to the second level with ease.

But most importantly, Solich proved that redshirt sophomore Tyler Tettleton was the right choice for starting quarterback. Tettleton played with the savvy and control of a fifth-year senior. He threw for 153 yards and two touchdowns while adding 40 yards rushing and two more scores in an offense that mirrored last season's version.

Tettleton proved to be a much more accurate passer than he was during his brief time on the field during his freshman season. He made the difficult throws that good quarterbacks make, including his beautiful 44-yard strike to LaVon Brazill, dropping the ball over the speedy receiver's right shoulder and setting up the team's second touchdown. Or like his back-shoulder touchdown throw to Donte Foster, a difficult timing pattern in which Tettleton released the ball before Foster broke to the sideline.

Eliminate an interception on his first drive in which he stared down the receiver, making him blind to the safety lurking between the hash marks, and Tettleton did exactly what the coaches looked for. He led the team and executed the offense with confidence. This Ohio offense, in particular the running game, is predicated on the quarterback making smart decisions. With Tettleton at the helm, the team ran for 241 yards and averaged a whopping 5.1 yards per carry. Five players rushed for at least 30 yards.

The defense also excelled, holding New Mexico State to 6 yards rushing in the victory. Yes, 6 yards. That performance was enough to make the Bobcats the No. 2 rushing defense in the nation after the first weekend of play, trailing only Alabama (as Twittered by Ohio Athletics Monday morning).

Be aware, though, this game was mainly a good tune-up. No one confused the Aggies, a team that finished last season with just two wins, with Oklahoma or LSU. But New Mexico State was an FBS-level team, and Ohio's game against lesser-conference (FCS) opponent Gardner Webb this Saturday at home (7 p.m., Peden Stadium) should be nothing more than a glorified scrimmage if the team performs anywhere close to the level it showed yesterday. The 'Cats took a risk in scheduling an opponent in the far West to start the year and now get to return home with their spirits high.

Maybe it was just a win against a bad team, but it looked like something more. This squad had a cohesiveness and style that usually takes weeks for Ohio to establish. The excitement is there. The execution is there.

Establishing high expectations for the upcoming season? Big check.