Ohio keeps East hopes alive in win over UB

Ohio Bobcats 2009 ... Head Coach: Frank Solich

2009 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 5-7
2009 Record: 7-3

9/5 Connecticut L 23-16
9/12 at N Texas W 31-30 2OT
9/19 Cal Poly W 28-10
9/26 at Tennessee L 34-23
10/3 at BGSU W 44-37
10/10 at Akron W 19-7
10/17 Miami Univ. W 28-7
10/24 Kent St L 20-11
10/31 at Ball St W 20-17
11/10 at Buffalo W 27-24
11/14 OPEN DATE
11/21 Northern Illinois
11/27 Temple

2008 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 5-7
2008 Record: 4-8

Aug. 30 at Wyoming L 21-20
Sept. 6 at Ohio State L 26-14
Sept. 13 Central Mich L 31-28
Sept. 20 at Northwestern L 16-8
Sept. 27 VMI W 51-31
Oct. 4 at Western Mich L 41-20
Oct. 11 at Kent State W 26-19
Oct. 21 at Temple L 14-10
Oct. 28 Buffalo L 32-19
Nov. 1 OPEN DATE
Nov. 8 Bowling Green L 28-3
Nov. 15 OPEN DATE
Nov. 22 Akron W 49-42
Nov. 28 at Miami Univ. W 41-26

Ohio Bobcats

Nov. 10
Ohio 27 … at Buffalo 24
Matt Weller nailed a 47-yard field goal with 1:25 to play to break the tie and keep Ohio in the MAC East title race. The Bobcats got out to a 24-14 lead helped by fumble recovery in the end zone and touchdown runs from Tyler Tettleton and Vince Davidson, but Buffalo was able to get back into the game in the second half with a 22-yard Naaman Roosevelt touchdown catch and a 26-yard A.J. Principle field goal, but Ohio answered with a 5:33 drive to get the final points. Roosevelt also scored from 76 yards out in the first quarter and on a 21-yarder with three seconds to play in the first half.
Player of the Game: In a losing cause, Buffalo WR Naaman Roosevelt caught eight passes for 165 yards and three scores.
Buffalo : Passing: Zach Maynard, 17-36, 230 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Mario Henry, 5-43, Receiving: Naaman Roosevelt, 8-165, 3 TD
Ohio: Passing: Theo Scott, 22-28, 221 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Chris Garrett, 17-68, Receiving: LaVon Brazill, 10-99 
What It All Means: The Bobcats are still alive for the MAC Eat title needing to beat Northern Illinois in a few weeks to set up a showdown against Temple. The running game was disappointing, but Theo Scott was accurate and careful throwing the ball to keep the chains moving, and he helped engineer the game-winning drive. Matt Weller saved the day with two huge kicks, nailing blasts from 46 to 47 yards out, and he’s going to be a factor over the final few games. The punting has to be better; Peter Fardon has struggled this year and averaged just 37.8 yards per boot against the Bulls.

Oct. 31
Ohio 20 … at Ball State 17
Matt Weller hit four field goals and Terrence McCray caught a seven yard touchdown pass and a two-point conversion to give Ohio the win over the Cardinals. The McCray score came with 3:11 to play, and the defense held. Ball State got a one-yard Eric Williams touchdown run and a 35-yard Jeremy Hill touchdown catch, but the defense couldn’t hang on late.
Player of the Game: Ohio S Gerald Moore made ten tackles and picked off a pass
Ball State: Passing: Tanner Justice, 6-9, 78 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Eric Williams, 5-59, 1 TD, Receiving: MiQuale Lewis, 2-22
Ohio: Passing: Theo Scott, 17-27, 161 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Chris Garrett, 18-48, Receiving: LaVon Brazill, 6-82
What It All Means: Ohio kept its MAC East title hopes alive, but it was shaky. The defense did its job of stuffing a Ball State running game that went crazy on Eastern Michigan the week before, while QB Theo Scott came through with a nice final drive after struggling for most of the game. The offense isn’t explosive and too many drives finished with field goals instead of touchdowns, but at 4-1 with a trip to Buffalo up next, the Bobcats are still alive. 

Oct. 24
Kent State 20 … at Ohio 11
Kent State’s defense held Ohio to 164 yards of total offense, including -9 rushing yards, while the offense got Tyshon Goode touchdown catches from three and 15 yards out for a 20-3 lead. Just when it seemed like the Golden Flashes had things well in hand, LaVon Brazill took a punt 87 yards for a touchdown, but that was as close as Ohio would come. KSU came up with seven sacks with Kevin Hogan making 2.5 of them.
Player of the Game: Kent State RB Jacquise Terry ran 31 times for 110 yards and caught four passes for 68 yards
Ohio: Passing: Tyler Tettleton, 7-15, 111 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Theo Scott, 6-17, Receiving: Taylor Price, 6-51
Kent State: Passing: Spencer Keith, 23-38, 273 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Jacquise Terry, 31-110, Receiving: Tyshon Goode, 9-105, 2 TD 
What It All Means: The Ohio offensive line went kaput for a week giving up five sacks and ten tackles for loss as the running game netted -9 yards. This was the team’s best shot to all but end the MAC East debate, but the lack of offensive punch proved too costly. The defense did a nice job, but the three interceptions were bad and the inability to keep the chains moving was a death blow. Fortunately, the road games up next against Ball State and Buffalo are winnable to get back on track in the MAC race or for a possible at-large bowl bid. This isn’t over; Kent State has a loss in conference play and has to face Temple and Western Michigan.

Oct. 17
at Ohio 28 … Miami University 7
Miami scored first on a one-yard Zac Dysert run in the first five minutes, and then it was all Ohio as Theo Scott hit Terrence McCrae on two second quarter touchdown passes and Donte Harden scored twice from one yard out. Miami managed just 52 rushing yards and turned it over four times.
Player of the Game: Ohio RB Donte Harden ran 15 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns, and he caught two passes for 20 yards
Miami: Passing: Zac Dysert, 19-30, 166 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Thomas Merriweather, 17-40, Receiving: Andrew Cruse, 5-48
Ohio: Passing: Theo Scott, 15-28, 163 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Donte Harden, 15-121, 2 TD, Receiving: LaVon Brazill, 6-74 
What It All Means: It took a little bit, and then the Bobcats turn on the defense and shut down the horrible MU running game while the Ohio offense was balanced and consistent. Donte Harden ripped off some nice runs and Theo Scott only gave up one turnover, and as long as the Bobcats are ahead in the turnover margin and the offense gets good work out of Harden, the march to the MAC title game will continue with layups against Kent State and Ball State up next. However, before dealing with the finishing kick against Buffalo, NIU and Temple, the O has to be better on converting third down chances.

Oct. 10
at Ohio 19 … Akron 7
Melvin Payne blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone, Matt Weller hit two field goals, and Terrence McCrae caught a seven-yard touchdown pass as Ohio had few problems with Akron. The Zips pulled within three in the third quarter on a Joe Tuzze run, but turned the ball over five times and struggled after losing starting quarterback Matt Rodgers to injury.
Player of the Game: Ohio DB Lee Renfro made nine tackles with a sack and a broken up pass.
Akron: Passing: Patrick Nicely, 9-23, 98 yds
Rushing: Matt Rodgers, 11-80, Receiving: Jeremy LaFrance, 5-65
Ohio: Passing: Theo Scott, 11-21, 132 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Vince Davidson, 12-69, Receiving: Riley Dunlop, 3-29
What It All Means: It might not have been pretty, and there wasn’t any consistency offensively, but Ohio beat Akron rather easily, is on a nice run with a 2-0 MAC record with both wins coming on the road, and should keep the momentum going with Miami, Kent State, and Ball State up next. The defense and special teams are paying well enough to carry the way if the offense isn’t up to snuff.

Oct. 3
Ohio 44 … at Bowling Green 37
Theo Scott threw two touchdown passes and ran for a 68-yard touchdown as Ohio outlasted Bowling Green in a shootout. Falcon QB Tyler Sheehan kept up the pressure with 390 passing yards and two touchdown passes along with a five-yard run, but Ohio was able to get up early and stayed ahead starting with a 72-yard punt return for a score from LaVon Brazill. Down seven late, BGSU got down to the Ohio 14 late but stalled.
Player of the Game: Ohio QB Theo Scott completed 11-of-19 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns, and he ran four times for 82 yards and a score.
Bowling Green: Passing: Tyler Sheehan, 38-52, 390 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Willie Geter, 19-70, Receiving: Freddie Barnes, 7-84
Ohio: Passing: Theo Scott, 11-19, 203 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Chris Garrett, 16-120, 2 TD, Receiving: LaVon Brazell, 4-93, 1 TD
What It All Means: It wasn’t the tightest of performances by the Bobcats, with ten penalties and converting 4-of-12 third down chances, but Theo Scott was fantastic, the offense was balanced, and the defense that was bombed on all game along came up clutch when it absolutely had to late. Very quietly, the Bobcats are in the mix for the MAC title after showing what it could do on the road in a tough game. Ohio should be favored in every game the rest of the way except for the home date in late November against NIU. 

Sept. 26
at Tennessee 34 … Ohio 23
The Tennessee ground game took over when needed, and the defense held firm late in a tougher-than-expected win. Monatario Hardesty started off the scoring with an 11-yard touchdown run, and Jonathan Crompton threw two touchdown passes connecting with Brandon Warren from three yards out and hit Bryce Brown for a 26-yarder. But Ohio stayed in the game through the air with Theo Scott throwing for 319 yards with a two-yard touchdown pass to LaVon Brazill, but the Vol defense held tough late to secure the win and came up with an interception for a score in the second. Ohio got a kickoff return from Chris Garrett for a score after the Hardesty run.
Player of the Game: Tennessee RB Montario Hardesty ran 20 times for 140 yards and a touchdown, and he caught two passes for 29 yards.
Ohio: Passing: Theo Scott, 30-52, 319 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Donte Harden, 7-19, Receiving: LaVon Brazill, 8-92, 1 TD
Tennessee: Passing: Jonathan Crompton, 17-34, 222 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Montario Hardesty, 20-140, 1 TD, Receiving: Denarius Moore, 4-47 
What It All Means: Without Boo Jackson, and without a running game to speak off, Theo Scott showed that the Ohio offense can still move the chains and it can still produce, keeping the head on Tennessee all game long. In the loss, the Bobcats showed they can play , but now they’ll be tested by a good Bowling Green passing game that should push the secondary more than anyone in the first four games. At some point, the Bobcats have to run the ball to crank out an offense more to Frank Solich’s liking.

Sept. 19
at Ohio 28 … Cal Poly 10
The Ohio defense started out well with a 23-yard Errik Ejike interception return for a touchdown, while the rest of the D held Cal Poly to 12 yards passing. Theo Scott threw three touchdowns passes including 42-yarder to Taylor Price and a 63-yarder to Terrence McCrae. Cal Poly only got in the end zone late in the fourth on a 60-yard interception return for a score from Greg Francis.
Player of the Game: Ohio LB Noah Keller made 16 tackles with three tackles for loss
Ohio: Passing: Theo Scott, 14-27, 236 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Chris Garrett, 17-91, Receiving: Taylor Price, 9-135, 1 TD
Cal Poly: Passing: Tony Smith, 1-11, 12 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Jordan Yocum, 27-130, Receiving: Dominique Johnson, 1-12
What It All Means: Cal Poly isn’t a bad FCS team and should be a player in the national title race as the season goes on. The Ohio defense stepped up and shut down the Mustang offense without a problem, and now it has to do the same against a pathetic Tennessee offense that’s all too happy to give the ball away. Offensively, without Boo Jackson under center, Theo Scott had a nice game, but not a superior one, while Chris Garrett ran well. All the parts have to be working to product against the Vol defense, and the O will have to take advantage of every opportunity.

Sept. 12
Ohio 31 ... at North Texas 30 2OT
In the second overtime, Ohio got a 15-yard touchdown catch from Taylor Price and the two point conversion after a roughing the passer penalty put the ball on the two. Ohio only managed 232 yards of offense, but it took advantage of several North Texas mistakes with Kenny Jackson returning an interception 69 yards for a fourth quarter touchdown, but UNT was able to send it into overtime with 46 seconds to play on the second of three Jeremy Knott field goals. The two teams traded field goals in the first overtime, and the Mean Green's Cam Montgomery ran for his second score of the game in the second OT.
Player of the Game: Ohio LB Noah Keller made 13 tackles with a tackle for loss.
North Texas: Passing: Riley Dodge, 12-20, 117 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Cam Montgomery, 22-88, 2 TD, Receiving: Alex Lott, 7-61
Ohio: Passing: Theo Scott, 7-17, 92 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Chris Garrett, 17-61, Receiving: Taylor Price, 7-68
What It All Means: Ohio has to get out of this game ecstatic. The offense didn't work, cranking out 232 yards, there were three turnovers and 14 penalties for 138 yards, and the defense struggled a bit too much in key spots. Even so, it was a road win that set the table for a potentially nice start to the year with Cal Poly coming up next. However, very soon, Boo Jackson has to be a better playmaker, Theo Scott has to throw better, and there needs to be more from the ground game.

Sept. 5
Connecticut 23 ... at Ohio 16
In a dogfight, Connecticut took a 23-7 lead early in the fourth quarter on a five-yard Jordan Todman run, but Ohio fought back with an 11-yard Riley Dunlop catch and a 50-yard Matt Weller field goal. The Bobcats didn't get the ball back until there were eight seconds to play, with Theo Scott's pass intercepted by Robert Vaughn to end the battle.
Player of the Game: Connecticut RBs Jordan Todman and Andre Davis combined to run for 257 yards and a carry on 44 carries.
Connecticut: Passing: Zach Frazer, 11-24, 127 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Jordan Todman, 25-157, 1 TD, Receiving: Ryan Griffin, 2-26
Ohio: Passing: Boo Jackson, 8-16, 117 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Boo Jackson, 7-20, Receiving: Riley Dunlop, 3-36, 1 TD
What It All Means: Ohio played well, but it had to rally to come back and got out of its game. Boo Jackson had some nice moments, highlighted by a good 44-yard pass play to Taylor Price for an early touchdown, but Theo Scott also played well bringing the team back late. Frank Solich would like to run the ball more and would like to come up with more of a balance, but the running backs were stuffed by the strong Connecticut run defense. Chris Garrett and Donte Harden each only gained 17 yards with Jackson the team's leading rusher. As nice as the Bobcat passing game might be, it's not good enough to beat the better teams.