Sports
Ohio Football Dominates Miami in Homecoming Game
By: Sean Neidig
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In the annual Battle of the Bricks, Miami came to Athens hoping to steal a win from Ohio on Homecoming Weekend. However, the RedHawks (1-5, 0-2) were sent home with their largest margin of defeat in the series’ history.
In front of the fifth-largest crowd in Peden Stadium history, the Bobcats (5-1, 2-0) did not allow a touchdown for the second straight week and rolled to a 34-3 win.
“There is a rivalry against Miami that’s historic in terms of the number of years that rivalry’s been in existence and so it means an awful lot to a lot of people and us as a football team and us as a football program,” Ohio coach Frank Solich said.
Not only did the Bobcats hold the RedHawks to three points, but whenever Miami gained momentum, Ohio stole it right back.
As has been the case all season, the Ohio defense paced the team once again. Four interceptions stopped any Miami drive that got off to a good start.
On the first play of the second half, sophomore linebacker Quentin Poling picked off freshman Miami quarterback Billy Bahl and returned the pick 25 yards for a touchdown that put the Bobcats up 24-3. Redshirt senior linebacker Jovon Johnson intercepted Bahl on the next RedHawk drive. Johnson had not played since the season opener against Idaho.
“It felt good, especially since it was on homecoming when you get all the alumni back to see the game,” Johnson said. “We got to beat (Miami) up pretty bad. I think it felt really good for us.”
Early in the fourth quarter when the RedHawks drove into the red zone, Langston Provitt made a career play and picked off Bahl in the end zone to evaporate any final hope of a comeback for Miami.
Ohio eliminated every opportunity for the RedHawks to bounce back. With 11 interceptions before Saturday’s game, the Bobcats knew they would be able to take the ball back if they played like they did all season.
The Bobcats also allowed only nine RedHawk rushing yards in the first half.
With a stone-cold defense on display, things were allowed to be simpler on offense, and the ‘Cats spread the wealth.
A season high 10 Ohio receivers caught passes on the day, led by Sebastian Smith with nine catches for a career-high 91 yards.
Senior quarterback Derrius Vick started the game but was pulled in the fourth quarter in favor of Greg Windham, after the outcome was already decided.
Vick finished his afternoon with 243 yards on 21-33 passing with one touchdown and one interception.
The Bobcats are back in Peden Stadium next week against Western Michigan on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.