Sports
The Ohio Bobcats Are MAC East Champions
By: Sean NeidigBy: Mike Rizzo
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The Ohio Bobcats are the Mid-American East Conference Champions and will be going to Detroit to play in the MAC title game for the first time since 2011 after defeating Akron 9-3 at Peden Stadium on Tuesday.
Even though it is a night for celebration on Court Street, this was a sloppy game for the Ohio offense. They failed to score a touchdown tonight for the first time since 2014 when Ohio played Kentucky and had some controversial play calls.
With about seven minutes left, Ohio was leading 6-3 in the fourth quarter and the Bobcats had the ball on Akron’s seven yard-line. Ohio was faced with a fourth and four and the Bobcats went for it on fourth down and failed after they opted not to take the points.
The Ohio defense was stellar all game and up to this point, a lot of people were scratching their heads why Ohio went for it.
This however did not matter because Ohio would get the ball back and put up three more points on their next drive. After that, Ohio’s defense was able to hold off an Akron offense that was threating with time expiring.
Okay enough of the bad stuff; let’s get back to the party.
Not only did Ohio make history by clinching a trip to the MAC Championship in the 313, the Bobcat defense broke their all-time single season sack record. The previous sack record for the school was 38 and the Bobcats got number 39 at a crucial point in the game when Akron was driving.
The defense was lights out, but they’re not the only ones who deserve to celebrate. Ohio kicker Louis Zervos recorded his 25th field goal of the season, tying the most by a freshman kicker in college football history. During the beginning of the season, Zervos was Ohio’s best option on offense.
It is ironic how on Tuesday, in the biggest game of the season, he was Ohio’s security blanket and was responsible for all of the Bobcats points. He certainly did not look like a freshman tonight, or during the entire season.
The Bobcats have booked their ticket to the big game in the Detroit and will have to wait and see who they will square off with. On Friday, Western Michigan will play Toledo and the winner of this game will play Ohio in Detroit. Regardless who the Bobcats play, they will have their hands full.
Western Michigan is undefeated on the season and is ranked 19th in the College Football Playoff Top 25. If Western wins, the Broncos will be playing for the undefeated season and try to be a long shot in a big bowl game.
As for Toledo, they are 9-2 and their only lose in the MAC this year came to the Bobcats a few weeks back. The Rockets will certainly have vengeance on their mind and will give Ohio everything they have.
The Bobcats have a historic season going and will try to make more history in Detroit at Ford Field December 2nd.