Game Notes
2016 Media Guide
Coach Doup Radio Show - Week 1

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein University football team launches its 2016 season with a challenging non-conference road game Saturday afternoon, traveling to SUNY Buffalo State for the second installment of a home-and-home series. Kickoff from Coyer Field is set for noon.

Fifth-year head coach Tim Doup, holding a 22-18 record at his alma mater, looks to combine returning talent with some very impressive newcomers as the Cards seek a revenge victory. The Bengals won 29-0 last year in Westerville, busting an 81-yard touchdown run on the second play from scrimmage and ultimately finishing with a 501-114 advantage in total yards.

"Big and athletic," Doup said when asked to describe his season-opening opponent. "A very big, physical and good football team."

Taking the reins of the Cardinal offense will be junior Logan Stepp, who won the starting quarterback job in preseason camp after switching from wide receiver in the offseason. A natural athlete and All-Ohio quarterback in high school, Stepp tallied 55 receptions for 664 yards and four touchdowns during his two years out wide.

"Logan still has a lot to learn, but he is very versatile and starting to see things from the quarterback perspective again," Doup explained. "We haven't had that dual-threat type of guy the past couple years and he can certainly do some things with his feet. Hopefully he gives us a nice dimension and makes plays."

Stepp will have plenty of weapons at his disposal across the field, headlined by returning first team All-Ohio Athletic Conference wide receiver Julian Lowe. Joining in will be a list that includes Ohio Dominican transfers Hunter Joseph and Prince Franklin II, freshman Fred Hardgrove and returning lettermen Payton Vanderkooi and Tyler Sorg.

"Our new guys bring a lot of athleticism and will help us play a bit faster this year," Doup said. "When you're maybe not as big at any one position, it helps to be quicker and faster on both sides of the ball."

Sophomore running back Christian Johnson appears primed to take the next step in his young career while other ball carriers are also in the mix, including 225-pound rumbler Isaiah Richmond, a junior who transferred in from Eastern Kentucky. The key to offensive success, however, may come up front as the Cardinals will be breaking in three new starters on the offensive line.

Otterbein looks to be much improved on defense with 10 upperclassmen scheduled to start on Saturday, including at least two seniors at each level. Defensive ends Dalton Jarvis and Kyle Blust, a two-time All-OAC selection, will help anchor a front-seven that hopes to slow down a solid Buffalo State ground game. The Bengals racked up 339 yards rushing during last year's showdown.

"You aren't going to win any football game allowing more than 300 yards rushing," Doup stressed. "We obviously have to stop the run this time but also can't get lulled to sleep, because then they hit you with a big pass over top. It's about being smart and doing your one job out of 11 on the field."

Jerry Boyes enters the eighth season of his second stint at the helm of Buffalo State, which went 7-4 last season and has not finished under .500 since the 2010 campaign. The Bengals graduated a ton, but seem ready to reload and build off a perfect 5-0 home record from last fall.

Junior quarterback Kyle Hoppy leads the offense, which features upperclassmen Dale Stewart at running back, Nick Jones at tight end and Madison Wesolowski at wide receiver. Hoppy was 8 of 15 for 88 yards against Otterbein last season, before exiting with an injury, while Stewart carried eight times for 78 yards and a score.

The Bengals will have a revamped defense after losing its top-seven tacklers from a year ago.  Defensive lineman Khalil Sommerville is now assuming a starting role up front while starters Ish Height and Will Cheshire return to anchor the secondary.

Senior Marc Montana is back as the team's placekicker and junior Ryan Mutterer is expected to handle the punting duties once again.

"Our guys have created a good atmosphere through focus and accountability," Doup added. "It doesn't matter where you go, if you treat things as a business trip and have the right mentality then it's easier to achieve your mission."

Fans can follow Saturday's action through live stats, live audio (Otterbein WOBN 97.5) and live video stream.