Sports

Ohio Football defeats Akron 30-10, starts MAC play 1-0

By: Grant Kiefer
Posted on: Saturday, September 28, 2024

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Coming off a loss last week to the Kentucky Wildcats (3-2, 1-2 SEC), the Ohio Bobcats (3-2, 1-0 MAC) desperately needed a bounce-back win against the Akron Zips (1-4, 0-1 MAC) to start MAC play and head into its bye week above .500. The Bobcats did just that, as they shut out the Zips in the second half and fought behind Coleman Owen and Parker Navarro to win 30-10 on Homecoming.

Injuries have plagued the Bobcats all season long, and Saturday’s game was no different. Anthony Tyus III, Adonis Williams Jr., Dustin Johnson, Nick Poulos, Nolan McCormick, and Bralen Henderson were questionable, among others, while Miles Fleming and Eamonn Dennis were unexpected scratches from the game entirely. Although, Navarro returned from a throwing arm injury to make his first start since Morgan State on Sept. 14.

Despite Ohio’s star running back Tyus showing up on the injury report, he started the game. However, his explosiveness wasn’t quite there early on as Ohio couldn’t move the ball downfield at all in the first quarter, with just two first downs. Akron put together a successful drive through the air behind quarterback Ben Finley, giving the Zips a 3-0 lead at the end of the first.

Ohio moved the ball downfield well on its first drive of the second, but had multiple big plays called back due to penalties. Kicker Gianni Spetic ended up with a rare field goal miss to cap off the drive, but the defense had his back. Edge Marcel Walker-Burgess forced Finley to scramble and throw a poor ball, ending up in safety DJ Walker’s hands. Walker has been one of the Bobcats’ breakout freshmen stars due in part to the numerous injuries that have piled up in the secondary. “As a secondary, we know no one can get behind us,” Walker said.

Ohio took advantage of the starting field position, getting into the red zone thanks in part to receiver Max Rodarte coming up with a 23-yard catch. Tyus fumbled on his way into the end zone on the very next play, but tight end Mason Williams recovered in the end zone to give Ohio the lead, 7-3.

The Bobcats couldn’t hold onto that lead for long, though, as Akron returned a short punt down to Ohio’s 32 yard line heading into the two-minute warning. The Zips capitalized, as Finley found tight end Jake Newell wide open in the end zone on a wheel route to go up 10-7.

Ohio has struggled running the two-minute drill itself so far in 2024, but the Bobcats ran it to perfection to close out the first half. Navarro used his legs to make plays outside the pocket and rush for 27 yards himself, finding Owen for his first touchdown of the season. Considering the first half struggles, a 14-10 lead entering half was a success.

Both offenses were stagnant coming out of halftime, but Ohio’s defense shot some life into the crowd after Walker-Burgess got the Bobcats’ first safety of the 2024 season. Finley never quite felt the pressure, as he collapsed in the pocket to put the Zips behind 16-10.

Coming into Saturday, Owen was Ohio’s leading receiver in terms of yardage, but didn’t have a touchdown to his name. His second of the day was a 75-yard track sprint that saw him break a tackle and put pressure on Akron to wake its offense up, as the Bobcats got out to its first two-score lead of the game, 23-10.

Owen was understandably excited about finally getting into the end zone, but credits his defense for setting him up with opportunities. “It was obviously a blessing to get in the end zone today, but it was a lot of fun,” Owen said. “The defense played crazy good. I’ve never heard of 0-11 on third down…these guys stepped up and gave us opportunities all day.”

Ohio put on the finishing touches with a late fourth quarter touchdown from Navarro on the ground, setting a new career-high in rushing yards with 113. Navarro was Ohio’s leading rusher en route to the Bobcats’ 30-10 victory of Akron.

Ohio will have next week off and will be back in action Oct. 12 at Central Michigan. Kickoff time and network is TBA.