Ohio QB Theo Scott questionable for MAC Championship

The Ohio Bobcats saw their quarterback deliver last week against Temple when the season was on the line to earn the team a trip to the Mid-American Conference Championship.

Senior Theo Scott played his best game all season statistically, but it might have come at an extreme cost. Ohio coach Frank Solich deemed Scott “questionable” for the game against CMU at 8 p.m. Friday at Ford Field in Detroit during the MAC Teleconference on Monday.

Along with Scott, freshman wide receiver LaVon Brazil, second on the team in receiving yards (670) and receiving touchdowns (6), also is questionable for the championship.

“I think the status is questionable at this point. Neither one was able to practice (Sunday),” Solich said. “And I won’t go into it much further than that. We’re hoping that both are going to be available and able to play, but it’s a little bit of a wait-and-see game.”

Last week against Temple, Scott completed 17-of-21 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns. He also led his team in rushing, carrying the ball six times for 69 yards and adding two more touchdowns.

Scott sprained his left ankle when getting sacked in the third quarter last Friday against Temple. He was seen using crutches on the sideline Friday and when speaking to the local media Saturday.

Scott, who would be replaced by freshman Tyler Tettleton if he cannot go, told local reporters he will play.

In limited action this season, Tettleton has completed 9-of-20 passes for 128 yards and two interceptions.

Brazil injured his knee in the first half, and senior strong safety Patrick Tafua injured his shoulder during the game.

Tafua has shown his versatility; his 61 tackles are third on the team, and he also has 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions.

CMU coach Butch Jones said he believes all three players will be active for Ohio.

“There team, just like our team, has persevered all season,” he said. “And you have to have resiliency to get to this championship game. We expect those three individuals to play. We’ve prepared for them.”

Injuries are not new to Ohio this year, however. The Bobcats lost senior quarterback Boo Jackson, who was in a time-share with Scott, when he further damaged a torn labrum in his right throwing shoulder just two weeks into the season.

“Even though we’ve had a number of injuries this year, we’ve been able to plug in players that have done a very good job and have enabled us to continue to win,” Solich said.

CMU pipeline

Former CMU offensive tackle Andrew Hartline was promoted from the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad Saturday. He replaced former Iowa outside linebacker/defensive end Matt Roth on the roster, who the Dolphins cut.

Hartline, who played during CMU’s 2006 and 2007 MAC Championship runs and graduated last year, was signed to Miami’s practice squad Sept. 15, and he was called up because of a left ankle sprain to starting center Jake Grove.

Hartline was signed by Green Bay as an undrafted free agent after the 2009 NFL Draft, but the team did not assign him to its active roster or practice squad.