Sports
Ohio Football Stunned By Duquesne, 28-26
By: Bryan Kurp
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Ohio (0-2) dropped a game to a Football Championship Subdivision opponent for the first time since 2002 Saturday as it was upset by Duquesne (1-1) at Peden Stadium, 28-26. The Bobcats’ 16-game win streak against FCS opponents came to an end.
“Everything we did well last week — zero penalties, ran the ball against an ACC team — we did not do this week. That’s my responsibility,” Ohio head coach Tim Albin said. “We had some things happen here that haven’t’ happened here and we have got to get it corrected in a hurry.”
The Bobcats dug themselves into a hole, specifically on the defensive side in the second half, with penalties. In total, the Bobcats had 12 penalties that totaled over 100 yards.
“We just need to be more disciplined as a defense,” Ohio defensive back Kai Caesar said. “We had penalties in the back, we had penalties in the front. Those are things we do work on in practice and we just have to stay true to our technique and our game.”
Things looked promising for Ohio early.
De’Montre Tuggle took the opening kickoff 83 yards to the end zone to give the Bobcats an early 6-0 lead. Tuggle scored his second touchdown of the day just a few minutes later to give Ohio a 13-3 lead.
Ohio found itself in a hole heading into the fourth quarter, but Kurtis Rourke and the Ohio offense began to rally.
“I got a lot of confidence in Kurtis and the offense,” Albin said. “We played a lot of receivers today. Offensively, the execution was good and we were executing as a unit. That’s what we’re going to have to do.”
Rourke ran three yards for a touchdown, bringing the score within five points.
Defensive penalties assisted Duquesne in melting the clock — which eventually led to another field goal.
Ohio added six more points with nine seconds left to bring the score to 28-26 thanks to a Rourke pass to Ty Walton.
The ensuing two-point conversion failed though, handing Ohio a disappointing loss.
“It just seemed like we couldn’t get out of our own way at times,” Albin said. “That is not Bobcat football and our guys know it.”
It is a short week of preparation for the Bobcats.
Ohio will head to Louisiana and face the Ragin’ Cajuns on Thursday night.
“One thing I always say is we have to learn how to turn the page when stuff goes good and when stuff goes wrong,” Ohio wide receiver Cam Odom said. “Whether that’s on the field or off the field, whether we have a good play, you got to turn the page and go back and make sure you’re ready for the next play. The same goes for a win or loss. Now we’re gonna turn the page and get ready for the next day.”
Kickoff between the Bobcats and Ragin’ Cajuns is scheduled for 8 p.m. Thursday night.