Sports

Ohio Football returns home in search of a bounce-back vs Buffalo

By: Andrew Woods
Posted on: Friday, October 25, 2024

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — After a tough loss in the Battle of the Bricks, the Ohio Bobcats (4-3, 2-1 MAC) will play at home for the first time in a month as they look to get back on their feet against the Buffalo Bulls (4-3, 2-1 MAC).  

After only allowing three points in the first quarter, Miami got ahead quick, making the score 16-0 at halftime and 30-7 after the third quarter thanks to the performances of Keyon Mozee, who rushed for 111 yards, and Brett Gabbert, who passed for three touchdowns. Ohio began to catch up in the fourth quarter, but by then, their efforts were too little, too late, as Miami won the 100th Battle of the Bricks 30-20. 

On his team’s performance, Tim Albin said, “In all three phases, they [Miami (OH)] outexecuted us, made some big plays, had a couple one play drives. We had to basically play error-free football, and we didn’t do that.” 

The Ohio offense struggled throughout the game. Anthony Tyus III, the Bobcats’ leading rusher, rushed for only 15 yards before leaving the game in the third quarter with an injury. In total, Ohio rushed for 110 yards, their worst total this season. Parker Navarro struggled, throwing two interceptions and passing for only 88 yards, before being replaced by Nick Poulos. Poulos did not fare much better, passing for only 93 yards.  

When asked about the quarterback situation, Albin said, “He [Navarro]’s our starter, but we also have a capable guy in Nick who can come in and get things done.” He said later that Navarro will start the game against Buffalo, but that if needed, Poulos can come off the bench to provide a spark for the Ohio offense if needed. 

The Ohio run game will need to step up, as Tyus III will be out for “an extended period of time”, according to Albin. Albin said it was “next man up” for the Bobcats’ run game. Those next men up will likely include Rickey Hunt Jr., Nolan McCormick, and Duncan Brune, who have all seen some action this year.  

The Buffalo Bulls come to Athens off a 41-48 loss to Western Michigan. However, Buffalo has defeated two of the best teams in the MAC in Northern Illinois and Toledo. The Bulls use a strong run game to power their offense. This run game relies on a stable of backs led by Al-Jay Henderson. Henderson ran for 142 yards against Toledo and scored a 68-yard rushing touchdown against Western Michigan. However, the Buffalo offense is not one-dimensional. Quarterback CJ Ogbonna passed for 309 yards against Western Michigan, his best performance of the season.  

Defensively, the Bulls are led by a dynamic duo of linebackers in graduate student Shaun Dolac and sophomore Red Murdock. Dolac and Murdock are first and third in the FBS in tackles and first and second in the MAC in tackles for loss, respectively. Coach Albin said on Dolac and Murdock, “I just know that those two at Buffalo are talented, they play well together.” Despite their talent and exceptional play, the Buffalo defense has allowed more than 400 yards in each of its last two games. 

An Ohio win would mark their third straight victory over Buffalo and mean the Bobcats would still be in the hunt for a trip to the MAC championship game.  

With Senior Day festivities on the docket and legendary Bobcats coach Frank Solich coming back to Athens, a win in this game, the final Saturday game for Ohio, would be incredibly meaningful to the Bobcats and their fans.