You would think after going 5-6 and having five coaching changes, adjustments would be made.

However, the Panther’s offense is running on the policy similar to same routine, different day.

“It’s the same system that we had last year and so I’ve been able to grasp it pretty well,” sophomore quarterback Mike Donato said. “The signals and terminology are the same so it’s not like we are back to square one.”

Donato will be one of two non-returning starters on the offensive side of the ball but will be protected by a pair of all-Ohio Valley Conference lineman (center Pascal Matla and guard Steve Sobolewski), throwing to the conference’s best receiver (Ohio Valley Conference first team WR Ryan Voss) and handing off to the OVC’s best runner (tailback Vincent Webb).

“In our team, we have a balanced attack,” Donato said.

“My keys are going to be not to force things when I get into trouble and realize that the team is behind me.”

Offensive coordinator Mark Hutson was promoted from offensive line coach this season after Jon Carr left Eastern to be the receivers’ coach at Toledo. Hutson has kept Carr’s pro-style system that will try to exploit the athleticism of Donato while creating mismatches with its skill position players.

“We want to move the pocket so that defenses can’t tee off on Mike,” Hutson said. “There’s not that many unknowns out of this veteran group, so Mike feeling comfortable is the biggest thing.”

New quarterback coach Steve Brickey has been a major influence in Donato’s comfort level as the key extension of the offensive philosophy.

“What interesting is watching him react and perform as the main guy,” Brickey said.

Donato has high hopes that his new position coach can advance his career like Brickey did with Seneca Wallace, a former Iowa State signal caller.

“He’s been around the game so long that I have learned so much from him,” Donato said. “I have so much respect with guys that have worked with high quality players in Division I programs.”

The major concern with the offense is how to limit turnovers and not putting the defense in tough situations. The Panthers first and second-string offenses combined for four turnovers and several procedure penalties in Saturday’s scrimmage.

“Those types of mistakes are inexcusable,” Brickey said. “The defense causes their own problems. We don’t need to compound that with self afflicted wounds.”

After having a sophomore season that included 1106 yards and 12 touchdowns, Vincent Webb was forced to compete for his starting job.

Webb battled red-shirt freshman Norris Smith and sophomore Travorus Bess for his spot as the feature back but won the position in the summer workouts and fall scrimmages.

Ryan Voss will be the feature receiver and most likely the one offensive option that could see a double team by a defending secondary. The sophomore from Punta Gorda, Fla. racked up 784 receiving yards with seven touchdowns including a breakout performance against I-A Eastern Michigan.

The big guys on the offensive line will average 292 pounds and will be asked to move laterally to accommodate Donato’s athletic ability to roll out and move while in the pocket. However, the player who is counting on their ability to keep him upright is excited about the opportunity to take snaps from this veteran unit.

“This line is the best in the conference,” Donato said.

After having first hand knowledge of this group, Hutson identified clearly what the goal is in that regard.” They must keep the quarterbacks uniform clean unless we are running a draw,” Hutson said.