Sports
PREVIEW: Ohio football travels out west to take on Sacramento State
By: Evan Johnson
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – Ohio Football (4-2) will travel to California to take on the newest addition to the Mid-American Conference, the Sacramento State Hornets (1-5). It will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
Playing out west is a rare experience for the Bobcats, as it will be their fifth-ever game competing in Pacific Standard Time; they are 1-3 in the previous four games. It will also be a night game, with kickoff set for 10 p.m. EST.
Ohio has been gaining momentum, winning their last three games, including two conference victories. They are currently one of four schools in the MAC that are still undefeated in conference play. The Bobcats had their best start to a game yet, beating Central Michigan 31-14, with all 31 points coming in the first half.
The offensive success was led by Quarterback Nick Poulos, who returned to the field after getting knocked out of the game in week two against Jacksonville State. Poulos spread the ball around, throwing for three touchdowns in the first half to three different receivers.
Preston Bowman was on the receiving end of one of those touchdowns, making it his first in his collegiate career. Tight End Jake Furtney also got involved early, passing his season total in yards through four weeks in just the first 18 minutes of game time. Duncan Brune also has missed some time this season but found the end zone for the first time this season.
The offense will be going against a Sacramento State team that is still searching for their first FBS win and has given up 28 or more points in every game against FBS opponents. The Hornets have been good at limiting the pass game, as they rank second in the conference, allowing teams just 186.5 passing yards per game.
The Bobcats’ focus will be on establishing the run again; they are averaging nearly 200 rushing yards per game. A lot of different guys contribute to the rushing attack. Brune leads the charge, with Victor Rosa getting a good chunk of snaps as well. Despite just coming back from concussion protocol, Poulos scrambled several times, picking up 52 yards with his legs.
Sacramento State runs a different style of offense from what they’ve seen through six weeks. The Hornets have a true pocket passer in Jackson Sharman; he was thrown for over 1,000 yards and six touchdowns and has only rushed four times.
Sharman has struggled with turnovers, throwing five interceptions. The turnover battle will be another emphasis for Ohio, as the Hornets ranked second-to-last in the entire country with a -9 turnover margin.
The current line is heavily in favor of Ohio as the Bobcats are -15.5-point favorites. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. PST and 10 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on ESPN +.