Noffsinger holds ODU records

Mike Noffsinger didn’t become the greatest running back in Ohio Dominican history by knocking down would-be tacklers or speeding around them.

He has become a star in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference because he has got a good head on his shoulders in more ways than one.

Noffsinger, who is 5 feet 8, 165 pounds, is smart enough to know where to run, but also smart enough to keep his blockers happy.

“I know enough to always credit the offensive line,” he said. “Without them doing the dirty work I wouldn’t be able to do anything. They get everything started. I let them know how much I appreciate them all the time. I came in with a lot of those guys and they are my friends. You can have superstar athletes, but they don’t do anything without linemen.”

Noffsinger has done plenty. He is Ohio Dominican’s career leader in rushing attempts (423), rushing touchdowns (23), and rushing yardage (2,380), and needs 92 yards in the final three games to become the team’s first running back to reach 1,000 yards.

The most important goal, though, is to finish his college career having helped deliver the Panthers’ first winning season in NCAA Division II. With three games remaining, they are 4-4 after a 62-7 victory over Tiffin.

“We just got done saying we aren’t going to dwell on what we did against Tiffin,” said Noffsinger, a senior from West Branch, Mich. “We’re sitting at 4-4. We’d like to be better, but we’ve only been in Division II for two years. We’ve come a long way, but we are still pushing.’’

The transition from Ohio Dominican being a national power in NAIA under coach Dale Carlson to a fledgling Division II team under Bill Conley has been impressive.

Noffsinger can attest that it has been a lot of hard work.

“I came in the year after the undefeated regular season in NAIA,” he said. “I felt that the NAIA wasn’t much different from the upper level of high school. Then the new coaches coming in said Division II would be so much better and very different. They were right. We went 2-8 last year.

“In NAIA, I could take a wrong step or move and still gets some yards because of my quickness and agility. In Division II, I have to focus on my assignment and keep my feet moving because the defenses are bigger, faster and stronger.”

He has been good enough to be selected to play in the Senior Bowl in Middletown, N.Y., after the season. The game pits Division II players against those from NAIA.

Toledo deadly in air, on ground

Toledo is proving that there doesn’t have to be controversy playing two quarterbacks and three running backs. The Rockets defeated Miami University 49-28 behind quarterbacks Terrance Owens and Austin Dantin and a gang of runners led by Adonis Thomas.

The team converted 7 of 14 third downs and scored all six times in the red zone.

“We’re going to be in red-zone and third-down situations every day to be prepared for it on Saturday,” coach Tim Beckman said. “The offensive line has been healthy and we’ve been able to do a lot of things. We’ve got three great running backs and our quarterbacks have been able to get the job done.”

At this point, the only thing Beckman is upset about is the schedule. Toledo (5-3, 4-0) plays only six games on Saturdays this year; the remaining four are on weekdays.

“It’s a little different,” he said. “I told the seniors that this was their last Saturday football game. That’s kind of amazing. College football was meant to be played on Saturday.”

Bobcats control their destiny

One week ago, Ohio University’s chances of winning the Mid-American Conference looked bleak after consecutive losses to Buffalo and Ball State.

Now, the Bobcats are in excellent shape after a 37-20 victory at Akron and four extra days to prepare for a nationally televised home game against Temple on Nov. 3.

Ohio (5-3, 2-2) is tied for first place in the East Division with Temple, Miami University and Bowling Green. It plays each team.

“We’re going to give our players a well-deserved rest,” coach Frank Solich said. “We’re going back to practice on Wednesday and treat that like a Monday. Our players need to get away. It has been a physical season. We need to get some guys healed up. Sometimes you worry about an off week and the disruption of your schedule, but not this week.”

The extra time between games should enable injured defensive tackle Carl Jones and cornerback Omar Leftwich to return for Temple.

Solich thinks Ohio has to win the rest of its games to win the division and reach the conference championship game.

“Our players know the importance of every single ballgame from here on out,” he said. “It is a very tough conference. I’ve always felt that any team could win the MAC, but it is particularly true this season.’’

— Mark Znidar

mznidar@dispatch.com