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[Josh Hoerner | WOUB]

Ohio Football completely dominates Kent State, becomes bowl eligible

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KENT, Ohio (WOUB) — The Ohio Bobcats’ (6-3, 4-1 MAC) November slate began with a game with high stakes–a win would give the Bobcats bowl eligibility for the third-straight season and third time in Tim Albin’s four-year tenure as head coach of the program. Ohio got that, and more, Wednesday night–completely dominating Kent State (0-9, 0-5 MAC) by a final score of 41-0.

Most sportsbooks had the Bobcats favored by over 20 points before kickoff, and they lived up to that expectation. Coming off a 41-16 drubbing of Buffalo and a mini-bye week, it could’ve been easy for Ohio to have a letdown performance. The Bobcats stayed focused and never let Kent State have a chance at the lead. To add insult to injury, Kent State has not led in a game this season.

Ohio WR Chase Hendricks (#7) celebrates after a catch vs Kent State on Nov. 6. [Conor Mallon | WOUB Public Media]
Ohio’s offensive explosion was partly thanks to the return of graduate running back Anthony Tyus III. Tyus injured his left foot late in the second half versus Miami (OH) on Oct. 19 and was expected to miss multiple weeks per Albin. However, he only missed the team’s game against Buffalo. Tyus got the scoring started for Ohio with a 19-yard touchdown on the team’s second drive. He finished with 84 yards on 14 attempts.

The Bobcats, up 20-0 coming out of halftime, did something they hadn’t done all year–run a kick back for a touchdown. Graduate wide receiver Eamonn Dennis found open field and didn’t look back, setting the tone early in the second half and not looking back.

Dennis wasn’t the only participant scoring on special teams, though. Also in the third quarter, star Coleman Owen ran a punt return 61 yards to make Ohio’s lead 34-0. Both scores were Ohio’s first two special teams touchdowns of the year. The pair of touchdowns was also the first time Ohio has scored two special teams touchdowns in a single game since Nov. 22, 2008. It’s also the fifth time any FBS program has accomplished the feat in the 2024 season.

The biggest story within the game itself is what this means for Ohio the rest of the season. Ohio’s next two games are against teams above .500 overall, playing a pivotal role in the Bobcats’ ability to qualify for the MAC Championship Game. With the east and west divisions eliminated this season, the top two teams in terms of conference records make the title game. With Western Michigan’s loss to Northern Illinois, Ohio is now tied for the top spot in the conference.

Ohio will be back in action next week vs Eastern Michigan on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m., continuing its push to Detroit for the MAC Championship Game. The network is still to be decided.