Sports

Ohio offense stalls in historic game against Miami

By: Maddie Kiefer
Posted on: Saturday, October 19, 2024

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OXFORD, Ohio (WOUB)– It was the 100th meeting between the Ohio Bobcats and the Miami Redhawks in a much-anticipated battle of the bricks matchup. Miami led the all-time series, 55-42-2 through 99 games between the two. Miami came away victorious by a final score of 30-20 controlling the game throughout.

The game started slow, with both team’s first possessions ending in punts. It was not until the Redhawks second possession that the offense started rolling. Brett Gabbert threw deep to Cade McDonald for a gain of 38, getting Miami down to the Ohio 30. The Bobcats defense looked sluggish throughout the drive but ramped into gear in the red zone. Forcing the 28-yard field goal from Dom Dzioban, the Redhawks led 3-0.  

Defense then played a major factor in the remainder of the first quarter, as no other points were scored. 

Miami then started stringing together a drive when Gabbert threw deep to Kam Perry for 18 yards, bringing them to the Ohio 28. After a personal foul, the Redhawks found themselves at the 14-yard line and had no problem cashing in a touchdown, this time Gabbert to Reggie Virgil. After the extra point, Miami led 10-0.  

The Bobcats were still struggling on offense, but they finally got a first down with 7:30 remaining in the second when quarterback Parker Navarro threw a pass to Chase Hendricks for 11 yards. After that, the first downs kept coming, but Navarro ended up throwing an interception right into the hands of Raion Strader who ran it to the Ohio 43-yard line.  

With a short field, the Redhawks looked to make it a three-possession game. After picking up chunks of yardage, Gabbert threw a dart to Javon Tracy in the left side of the endzone. The extra point was no good and Miami went into the half up 16-0.

After the half, the Bobcats knew they needed to get something going after a rough two quarters on offense. Ohio methodically got down to the Redhawks 29, Navarro took the game into his own hands, rushing three times in a row to get to the 14. Anthony Tyus would then pound a one-yard touchdown up the middle for six. The two point try was no good and Ohio was back in the game, trailing 16-6.  

It only took Miami one play for a touchdown after back-to-back punts between the offenses. Running back Keyon Mozee ran 58 yards to the house and the Redhawks led 23-6.  

On the Bobcats ensuing drive, it took two plays for Navarro to be picked for the second time, Matt Salopek had the grab and got down to the Ohio 28-yard line. 

Miami then cashed in for their second one-play drive of the day, Gabbert threw a short pass to Cade McDonald who ran it for a 28-yard touchdown. The Redhawks extended their lead, 30-6. 

“Obviously you don’t want that,” head coach Tim Albin said when asked about the one-play drives. “We’ve been a defense that throughout the course of this season, that hasn’t given up a lot of big plays.” 

Nick Poulos came in for Parker Navarro, but the offensive struggles would continue for the Bobcats, as they would again, punt it away. 

That being said, in their next opportunity, Ohio slowly made their way down the field. After an 18-yard pass to Chase Hendricks, Nolan McCormick ran it in from the one for the touchdown. The two-point conversion was good, 30-14 Miami still holding the lead.  

With less than two minutes remaining, the Bobcats did not give up. They made their way to the 11 yard line and Poulos used his legs to score. The two point conversion was no good and the Bobcats ended up dropping the game 30-20. 

“I am proud of how the guys finished the game, they fought for four quarters,” Albin said.  

Ohio will need to work out their offensive struggles before their matchup with another MAC foe, the Buffalo Bulls, next week.