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ATHENS, Ohio— Parker Titsworth is entering his redshirt senior year with the Bobcats. He started all 14 games last season and helped the offense average 31.79 points and 421.4 yards per game, with 54 touchdowns on the season. The Wexford, Pennsylvania, native is one of Ohio's most experienced offensive linemen.
What's it like being one of the older guys on the team?
Titsworth: It feels really weird. I feel like time flies, you know? They say time flies when you're having fun, but I remember my first day here as a freshman. I remember my first padded practice as a freshman, being 252 pounds soaking wet, and now I'm 290. So, it's different. I've got a lot of snaps under my belt. Now I can relax a little bit when I'm practicing and have a good time with the fellas and really focus on the little parts of my game to help improve as a player.
Do you ever get those freshman jitters still?
Titsworth: I still get nervous. I'm a firm believer that if you're not nervous, you're not in the right spot. After that first snap, that first hit, the first collision with the helmet, all those go away and it's all good.
What's life as a lineman like?
Titsworth: The easiest way to put it is first in last out. I'd say that's probably our mantra. We do the most meetings. Personally, I'd say we work the hardest. We do the most stuff and we don't get a lot of credit. You've got the really good skill guys who deserve it, they've earned it, but when you think about it, linemen don't have statistics. When you hear about the offensive line, it's usually bad. It's usually a sack or a bad snap, something like that. Everyone comes in every day with their head up and ready to learn, ready to work, and they do it with a smile on their face. It's a very selfless job and we've got the right group for it.
What goes into being a lineman?
Titsworth: You've got to have an edge, too. You've got to want to hit people and you've got to love to hit people because if you don't, then you're just going to be pushed around, and obviously you don't want that. I'd say you've got to be tough and be nasty in that sense of playing relentlessly and playing with an edge.
What are some of your favorite memories from your time at Ohio so far?
Titsworth: One that pops in my head immediately is earning my scholarship. I came in as a preferred walk-on, coach (Tim) Albin actually recruited me. I got my scholarship Aug. 24, 2021. It was right after the end of camp, starting against Syracuse. That first week of practice, they did a scholarship surprise for me and
Jake Neatherton. When I heard Jake's name called, I kind of saw it coming, but it made me like — I don't even know how to put it into words how I felt — but it meant the most to me and my parents.
Does that first week kind of bring that nostalgia?
Titsworth: A little bit. That day, it will always hold a special place in my heart, Aug. 24. If you know me, I'm super superstitious. If I have a bad rep or whatever, and I'm wearing a bit of gear, I'd never wear it again. I got it from my mom.
What would you say your biggest pregame superstition is?
Titsworth: It's the same thing every time… I've got my noise canceling headphones on playing some heavy music. I've got the eye black on and I just get into my zone. I just want to run through a wall. That's my little thing.
What are you most excited for this season?
Titsworth: The whole thing. Taking it one game at a time and just enjoying the ride. We've got a lot of good players on this team and a lot of players from last year are here so I want to enjoy it. This team definitely has the potential to bring back a MAC Championship for the first time since 1968. It's looking good, especially in our conference. We've just got to control our own destiny and take it one game and one rep at a time.
#OUohyeah
