Sports
Instant Reaction: Bobcats Crush Eastern Michigan, Move into Tie for 2nd in MAC East
By: Marlowe Alter
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Coming off a heartbreaking loss to Miami (OH) and on a short week, the Ohio Bobcats rolled over an inferior Eastern Michigan squad in route to a 45-14 victory.
The Bobcats rolled up 559 yards of offense while holding the Eagles to 305 total yards as they ran away from the visitors in the second half, outscoring them 21-0.
Opening Drive: The Bobcats capitalized on an Eastern Michigan missed field goal and drove 78 yards in six plays on their first possession, ending with a Beau Blankenship rugged 2-yard touchdown run to draw first blood.
Drive of the Game: Ohio put together a clock eating 18-play, 64-yard drive that lasted 7:17, but had to settle for a Matt Weller 25-yard field goal and a 10-7 lead. They converted four third downs to keep the drive alive.
Plays of the Game: Midway through the second quarter, Ryan Boykin trucked two would-be tacklers on his way to a 57-yard scamper to the Eagles 7-yard line, setting up a Chase Cochran 7-yard touchdown reception.
Donte Foster broke the game open with a highlight reel 79-yard touchdown late in third quarter to give the Bobcats a 31-14 lead. The junior wideout slipped a couple tackles, cut back to the middle of the field and out-ran the defense for his 13th career touchdown reception, good for fifth in program history. Foster led the way with seven catches for a career-high 164 yards and two scores.
Key Statistic: Ohio rushed for a season-high 304 yards and saw three running backs find the end zone. Boykin led the way with a career high 131 yards, while Blankenship added 73 yards on a season-low 11 carries. Freshman Daz’mond Patterson scored his first career rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Quotable: Tyler Tettleton on bouncing back from the Miami loss: "We just wanted to get back in the win column and we did… I'm the type to move on and look ahead."
Injury Report: Sophomore wide receiver Landon Smith suffered a severe leg injury on a 14-yard catch in the first half and had to be helped off the field by trainers. Head Coach Frank Solich announced after the game he will undergo surgery and is likely out for the season.
Next up: The Bobcats welcome Bowling Green (6-3, 4-1 in MAC play) to Peden Stadium next Wednesday night. The Falcons are on a five-game win streak. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN2.