Sports
Late Touchdown, Mistakes Spoil Ohio Football’s Homecoming Game
By: Bryan Kurp
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The Bobcats were four minutes away from its second-straight win over a MAC opponent — and a festive homecoming victory in front of a large crowd at Peden Stadium.
Central Michigan’s star wide receiver Kalil Pimpleton had a different plan in mind though.
Pimpleton made an impressive catch off a Daniel Richardson for a 28-yard touchdown. The Richardson-to-Pimpleton connection put the Chippewas ahead, 30-27.
“[Pimpleton’s] their best player and we were manned up on him. We couldn’t cover the guy any better and he made a play on that touchdown drive,” Ohio head coach Tim Albin said.
Ohio had a couple chances late to tie or take the lead but were unable to capitalize.
For the second-straight season, Central Michigan (3-3, 1-1 MAC) takes down Ohio (1-5, 1-1 MAC) with a 30-27 victory.
“I told the team after the game that this wasn’t our best four quarters,” Albin said. “I know the ending and the outcome, I get it. We got to find ways to make the plays but I couldn’t be prouder of our game.”
Armani Rogers had a solid game last week in Akron — guiding the Bobcats to their first victory of the season.
Rogers trotted out as starting quarterback and took every snap in the game.
Rogers shined in the passing game — throwing for 190 yards while completing 13 of his 18 pass attempts. He also rushed for 37 yards and a touchdown.
“There are some good things,” Albin said. “With the things he got done today, I’m encouraged.”
“I feel like I was out there to find a rhythm,” Rogers said. ” I just kept trying to keep things moving.”
The Bobcats held a fourth-quarter lead thanks to a 40-yard rushing touchdown from freshman Sieh Bangura. It was Bangura’s first career touchdown on his first career carry.
“To be honest with you, I’m really excited,” Albin said. “There’s some really young, talented players that are getting a lot of playing time at this point. It was fourth down and [Sieh] had the first down, did a little spin move and popped it through there.”
Ohio’s defense once again struggled against the run. Lew Nichols ran for 189 yards and a touchdown. The Chippewas ran for over 204 yards as a unit.
Daniel Richardson went 16-for-30 for 257 yards passing and that touchdown throw to Pimpleton, who had five receptions for 78 yards in the ballgame.
“At the end of the day, those dudes are on scholarship too. Those dudes are athletes as well,” Ohio linebacker Bryce Houston said. “You got to respect what they have but we just have to look at ourselves and see what we could do to be able to not have those plays happen.”
The Bobcats will hit the road for the fourth time in five weeks.
Ohio travels to Buffalo on Saturday, Oct. 16, for a battle with the Buffalo Bulls (2-4, 0-2 MAC). Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. from UB Stadium.