Sports
Instant Reaction: Ohio Downs ULM 45-14
By: Owen Gramoy
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After dropping 4 of its last 5 games during the regular season, Ohio Football felt it had something to prove in the Independence Bowl. The Bobcats’ dominating victory against Louisiana-Monroe was Ohio’s second consecutive bowl victory and a successful end to an up-and-down season.
Hot Start:
Ohio’s offense set the pace early for the Bobcats, scoring on their first two drives of the game. They did it quickly and efficiently. The first drive lasted only 1:10 seconds, and it covered 80 yards of ground. Tyler Tettleton, Ohio’s offensive leader, accounted for all of the yards by attempting only 3 passes and completing all 3 of them.
Ohio’s second drive of the game was just as impressive. Following a Gerald Moore interception, Tettleton led the Bobcats down the field effortlessly again. On only the fourth play of the drive, Tettleton connected with Chase Cochran on a 68-yard touchdown. The drive lasted a mere 1:40 seconds. After only two drives Tettleton was 5-5 with 2 touchdowns and 165 yards through the air.
Defense:
Coming into the game, one of Ohio’s main emphasis areas was containing dual-threat quarterback Kolton Browning. The junior came into the game with over 2,800 passing yards and 27 touchdowns. He also had over 400 rushing yards on the season to go along with 7 rushing TD’s. Ohio’s defensive effort was incredible, forcing the experienced QB and potent offense into mistakes they rarely made throughout the year.
Ohio was able to create 3 turnovers along with a blocked field goal while allowing only seven points in the first half. The defense also helped Ohio head into the locker room at half with all of the momentum. With a first and goal on the Ohio one-yard line, Tremayne Scott came up with a huge sack. ULM elected to go for it on fourth down from the 11-yard line, and the Bobcats forced an incompletion to finish off the goaline stand.
Scott, who missed much of the season due to injury, recorded 5 tackles, 2 sacks, and an interception. For his efforts, he was named the Player of the Game.
Cruising to Victory:
Ohio opened the second half with the ball, and did well to match its first half performance. The Bobcats drove straight down the field, and Beau Blankenship was able to power in from 2 yards out to finish the possession with a touchdown. The drive covered 75 yards in less than 3 minutes, and Ohio mixed the run and pass perfectly to matriculate the ball down field. The second drive of the half was eerily similar, as Blankenship took it in from a yard out. Ohio raced 70 yards again under 3 minutes.
Records Fall:
The senior class' 39 career victories account for the most in program history.
The senior class is the first ever to win two bowl games, and back-to-back bowl games.
Beau Blankenship’s four rushing touchdowns are the most ever in an Independence Bowl.
Ohio’s 551 yards of total offense are the most ever in an Independence Bowl.