Sports

Ohio earns back-to-back 10 win seasons for the first time in program history with 41-21 win in the Myrtle Beach Bowl

By: Maria Monesi
Posted on: Saturday, December 16, 2023

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MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WOUB) – Ohio (10-3, 6-2 MAC) earned its fifth straight bowl game victory with a 41-21 win against Georgia Southern (6-7, 3-5 SBC) in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. 

The victory also gives the Bobcats back-to-back 10 win seasons for the first time in program history. 

“I couldn’t be prouder of a bunch of young men and staff to come here and get this done with where we are in college football today,” head coach Tim Albin said. “I am just overwhelmed with this week.”

After losing 10 players to the transfer portal, including eight from the offense, Ohio looked different on Saturday afternoon. The biggest piece missing on offense was quarterback Kurtis Rourke which allowed Parker Navarro to get his first career start. 

Navarro didn’t seem phased by the moment as he went 11-16 with 69 yards and a touchdown. 

Also without the Bobcats top running backs in Sieh Bangura and O’Shaan Allison that meant it was up to freshman Rickey Hunt to shoulder the load. Hunt answered with five touchdowns which is the most in Ohio bowl game history. It also marked the most scores by a non-quarterback at Ohio in a single game. 

“The o-line was clicking,” Hunt said. “None of this would happen without the o-line. They played their butts off, gave me the holes to hit.”

As for the defense, it continued to do what it does best by making Georgia Southern uncomfortable early. Jeremiah Wood had his first career interception which marked the first of five takeaways from Ohio.

“I’m not gonna lie that might’ve been one of the best defensive games we’ve played in my time here,” Wood said.

The victory gives the Bobcats much needed momentum going into the offseason. 

“There’s more guys on this football team that you know of that are coming back,” Albin said. “They’re coming back for a reason so we’re going to keep building.”