Sports
PREVIEW: Ohio Football opens home schedule against Jacksonville State in 2024 Cure Bowl rematch
By: Ty Carpenter
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — After losing the season opener to Nebraska last week, Ohio (0-1) returns to Peden Stadium Saturday night for its home opener against Jacksonville State (1-1).
Despite Jacksonville State boasting the better record, Ohio does open as 2.5-point favorites at home.
The Bobcats look to bounce back from a 49-21 loss against the Cornhuskers with a 13-game home winning streak on the line, the second longest mark in the country. The matchup also marks the first meeting between Ohio and Jacksonville State since the two teams met in the 2024 StaffDNA Cure Bowl, when the Bobcats defeated the Gamecocks 30-27.
A chance to reset at home
Ohio’s season opener in Lincoln provided plenty of challenges, with head coach John Hauser saying the Bobcats are focused on correcting the fundamental mistakes that contributed to the loss.
“Our philosophy is don’t lose games,” said Hauser. “Don’t do things to lose games. Ohio doesn’t beat Ohio.”
For Hauser, that starts with execution.
“Seeing guys improve on the field with execution and cutting down on some of the missed assignments. Cutting down on the missed tackles,” said Hauser. “When the moments are the moments, … we got to have our best players playing our best football.”
Hauser emphasized costly missed tackles which led to explosive plays for a Nebraska rushing attack that averaged 5.9 yards per carry. Their lead back, Jamal Rule, rushed for 122 yards himself with 8.1 yards per carry.
Jacksonville State’s Firepower
Cleaning up that defense will be an important task against a Jacksonville State offense that exploded last week. The Gamecocks put up 526 total yards in their home opener, with quarterback Caden Creel throwing for five touchdowns and running back Jalen Likely rushing for 73 yards in just five attempts.
“The QB is a really good player. I mean, he makes things go,” said Hauser. “He can run. He can throw. He’s competitive. He had a big game last week.”
Hauser continued to praise the offense that Jacksonville State brings to the table.
“There’s the way they run the ball and the way they’re balanced,” said Hauser. “It’s hard to say. You can’t just say we’re going to put two guys on the 6’8” guy [Deondre Johnson] the whole game. I think we got to disrupt them with reroutes and timing.”
That said, Ohio certainly has the players on defense to shut down this offense. JT Haskins and Jack Fries led the team in tackles against Nebraska with eight total each. Not to mention Ike Ackerman, who dropped an impressive two sacks against a mobile quarterback last week. So, while 49 points allowed last week may look like a lot, there is certainly a lot to build off of.
Bobcat Offense keeps it up
But while the Bobcat defense showed flashes last week, this offense may have shown even more. Quarterback Nick Poulos led the Bobcats in both passing and rushing with 164 yards and a touchdown through the air, while adding 70 yards and another score on 10 carries.
Poulos also wasn’t sacked against the Cornhuskers.
“Zero sacks,” said Hauser. “I think Nick fell once. … but we said, the O-line, no sacks against Nebraska. Which is really good.”
The passing game also provided a clear bright spot, as sophomore wide receiver Riley Neer caught six passes for 104 yards and a touchdown. He notably opened the game up with a 68-yard reception that led to an early Bobcats lead.
Hauser also said Poulos’ ability as a runner adds a dimension to the Bobcats offense. He mentioned establishing the run as a key point come Saturday, as lead running back Duncan Brune managed just nine carries last week.
“We didn’t have many opportunities last week. We had a couple missed assignments that we thought could have led to some bigger runs.”
This Ohio offense faces a Jacksonville State defense that has had two polar opposite performances this season. They allowed 33 points in week zero against North Dakota State but just seven points last week against Eastern Kentucky. Headlining the Gamecock defense is safety Caleb Nix (yes, brother of Bo Nix), who posted a 43-yard pick six interception last week, alongside Walker O’Steen and JQ Brooks who each lead the team with 11 tackles.
Packing Peden
Saturday will be Ohio’s first home game of the 2026 season. A 13-game home winning streak sits on the line. Hauser spoke highly of the home-field advantage and the culture brewing for the Bobcats’ faithful.
“Come support us, man,” said Hauser. “We’re very grateful for the town of Athens, the students of Ohio U. Everybody that comes to pack Peden and gives our guys an advantage.”
Ohio and Jacksonville State kick off at 6 p.m. Saturday.