The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Keystone grad Conrad ready to help Bobcats
Coming off redshirt year, he looks to get playing time on special teams
For two straight games, it was one of the hardest things he had to do, yet one of the greatest learning experiences he has had in his short college career.
On Dec. 2, Ohio University played Western Michigan at Ford Field in the Mid-American Conference championship, a 2923 loss.
On Dec. 23, the Bobcats played Troy at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala,. in the Dollar General Bowl, a 28-23 loss.
Then a freshman, all tight end Austin Conrad could do was watch at the end of a redshirt year.
“It was tough,” Conrad said. “I wanted to be out there and help, but that wasn’t a possibility. But on the other hand, getting to travel to those games and experience that atmosphere, I think it has me more prepared for this year. I think just being there caused me to learn a lot.”
It was a pattern for the Keystone grad that described being redshirted perfectly: frustrating, but beyond beneficial.
“I guess I didn’t really know what all came with redshirting,” Conrad said. “I mean, I knew I wouldn’t be playing, but I didn’t know if I would be dressing. I didn’t know if I would travel with the team. It was a weird year.
“I’m so glad I got to go to the MAC Championship and Bowl game. I didn’t get to travel for the other games, but being at those and knowing what it felt like to be so close, it’s great motivation for this year.”
And Conrad made it clear. His
goal for this year is to take the field for the Bobcats.
“I haven’t played in a while, and that’s not a great feeling,” Conrad said. “The only way to change that is get on the field, so that’s definitely my goal this year. I’d love to get in at tight end, but I know we have some real depth there, so I’m going to do whatever I can to get in the game. I’m thinking special teams might be a great entry point for me.”
It’s not inconceivable that Conrad could be a standout special teams player for Ohio this year. His time at Keystone set him up well for that.
“When you think about where I was at Keystone, I was all over the place,” Conrad said. “I played defense in a lot of different positions. On offense, I was a running back, a tight end, a halfback. Playing at Keystone really made me a well-rounded player, and that’s the kind of player you need to be on special teams.”
Also, Conrad said that his redshirt year helped him be in a much better position to contribute to the Bobcats’ goals this year.
“I watched some great players and learned from them,” Conrad said.
“I got to analyze how they did things. See how they moved and the technique they used. It’s made me a better player. As frustrating as it was not playing, I know I’m better because of it.”
And he’s hoping to make the Bobcats better.
After going 8-6 overall and becoming co-champion of the MAC East division at 6-2 — their first MAC division title since 2011 — Ohio wants to build on its best season since going 9-4 (4-4 MAC) in 2012.
“We have big goals,” Conrad said. “We want a MAC title, not just a division title. And we want to get back to a bowl game.”
The Bobcats have won five MAC titles, but have not won one since 1968. Since the division split in 1997 created a championship game, they have played for the title four times, but lost to Central Michigan in 2006 and 2009 and to Western Michigan in 2011 and 2016.
Ohio has also not won a bowl game since 2012, when it defeated Louisiana-Monroe, 45-14, in the Independence Bowl.
The Bobcats have since played in three bowls, dropping the Beef O’Brady’s Bowl, 37-20, to East Carolina in 2013, the Camellia Bowl, 31-29, to Appalachian State in 2015 and the Dollar General Bowl last year.
In other words, Conrad and the Bobcats are looking to make history this year.
“We know it’s going to be a tough fight, but we are ready,” Conrad said. “We made history by qualifying for the playoff when I was at Keystone. I’d love to help make history at Ohio, too.”