Sports
Ohio Football: Bobcats Have Their Get Right Game
By: Tee Willis
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With a dominant offensive performance, the Ohio Bobcats (4-3, 2-1) secured their second MAC East victory this season and remain undefeated at Peden Stadium. Led by quarterback Nathan Rourke, Ohio defeated conference foe Bowling Green (1-7, 0-4) in a 49-14 victory at Peden Stadium on Homecoming day.
Ohio relied heavily on the run game early on. Junior running back A.J. Ouellette had six carries on the opening drive and totaled 14 carries for 81 yards. With a big addition from Rourke and Maleek Irons on the ground, Ohio rushed for 392 yards.
“We kind of went into this game knowing we needed to establish the run early,” Rourke said.
Papi White gave Ohio its first touchdown on a 17-yard reverse play. It was the first of White’s three touchdowns in the game which included a 76-yard bomb from Nathan Rourke. Though he only had two receptions, the wideout scored on both of them and finished with 92 receiving yards.
Rourke had a career-high four touchdown passes. Air Canada completed 8 of his 12 passes for 193 passing yards before being subbed out in the fourth quarter for Quinton Maxwell. Maxwell scored Ohio’s last touchdown with 9:20 left in the game.
A big worry in the first quarter was Ohio’s defense. Bowling Green scored on its first possession — Jarret Doege aired out a 57-yard pass to Scott Miller for an easy catch and score.
It seemed as if it would be another long day for the Ohio secondary, but the defense was able to stay sound and put on a solid performance at home. The Bobcats allowed only two touchdowns, and left Bowling Green scoreless in the second half.
The win against Bowling Green gave Ohio their biggest margin of victory this season and a sigh of relief after a tough loss against Northern Illinois last week.
Ohio returns to Peden Stadium next Thursday in a cross-division Mid-American Conference matchup against the Ball State Cardinals (3-4). Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.