Ohio head coach Frank Solich has another quarterback battle on his hands. The difference is, this time he doesn't mind.

The Bobcats wrapped up another spring season with lingering issues at quarterback. But unlike a year ago -- when no one played well enough to earn the position outright -- this time Ohio seemingly has several candidates performing at a high level.

Juniors Theo Scott and Boo Jackson are the leaders after Ohio's spring game on April 26. Scott, a part-time starter last fall, has good athletic ability and is a mobile threat in Ohio's multiple-look offense. Jackson, who arrived on campus just a month ago, proved to be a quick study. More of a pocket passer, Jackson has settled in and aims to push Jackson for the starting role.

"I've really liked the play of all our quarterbacks," Solich said.

"If we can get more consistent in our approach, I think we have a real chance to be a real good offensive football team."

The Bobcats will have to be. The defense, torched for better than 30 points a game last season, didn't appear to take many steps forward. Nearly half of Ohio's projected starting 11 on that side of the ball missed the entirety of spring drills with injury.

Key for the defense is the reconstruction of the middle. Ohio lost its top two defensive tackles, starting middle linebacker and strong safety to graduation. Senior linebacker Michael Brown, who moved to the middle this spring, will provide some stability, but the 'Cats were unable to get good looks at several of the other replacements.

Solich, as he usually does, said nothing was settled as far as individual position battles were concerned. Continuous improvement, and open competition, will be the themes when the Bobcats reconvene in August.

"We got some things done, but we've got a lot of work ahead of us," he said.

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