2006 Ohio Bobcats Season, Game Recaps, Scores and Reviews
Jan. 7
GMAC Bowl
Southern Miss 28 ... Ohio 7
Southern Miss got out to a 21-0 halftime lead thanks to a
stifling defense, a 43-yard touchdown run from Tory Harrison, a two-yard
run from Damion Fletcher, and with just over a minute to play, an
18-yard James Denley interception return for a score. The rout was on
late in the third quarter as Fletcher closed off a 17-play, 80-yard
drive that took up almost ten minutes with a nine-yard touchdown run.
Ohio only managed 47 rushing yards with Kalvin McRae being held to 37
yards on ten carries. The Bobcats finally got on the board in the fourth
on a 13-yard Thomas Christy catch. Player of the
game ... Southern
Miss LB Gerald McRath made 13 tackles and three tackles for loss Stat Leaders: Ohio - Passing: Austen Everson, 14-34, 175
yds, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing: Kalvin McRae, 10-37 Receiving: Scott Mayle, 4-56 Southern Miss - Passing: Jeremy Young, 14-22, 160 yds, 1
INT
Rushing: Tory Harrison, 9-68, 1 TD Receiving: Josh Barnes, 4-59 Notes & Thoughts ... Ohio got down early, and it was
over. Despite not having any semblance of a passing game, the Bobcats
had to throw and throw and throw in the second half in comeback mode,
and it didn't work. Without Kalvin McRae and the running attack, this
game was over in the first half. ... Southern Miss didn't generate much
offense, but it did what it had to do. Ohio did a great job of holding
Damion Fletcher in check and forcing Jeremy Young to try to win the
game, but Young came through with an efficient, mistake-free game. ...
Helped by a huge drive to start the second half, Southern Miss held the
ball for 35:05. Ohio needed to win the time of possession by a huge
margin.
Nov. 30
MAC Championship
Central Michigan 31 .... Ohio 10
Central Michigan held Ohio State 224 yards and forced three
key turnovers on the way to the MAC Championship. Damien Linson set a
MAC title game record with 191 yards helped by a 71-yard touchdown,
helping get the Chippewas off to a 17-7 halftime lead. Ohio stayed in
the hunt by starting off the second half with a 16 play, 76-yard drive
culminating in a 33-yard Matt Lasher field goal to pull within seven,
but Central Michigan controlled the rest of the game with Ontario Sneed
catching a four-yard touchdown pass and ending the game with a 96-yard
scoring dash.
Player of the game ... Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour completed 22
of 30 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns with an interception Stat Leaders: Central Michigan- Passing:
Dan LeFevour, 22-30, 314 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT Rushing: Ontario Sneed, 9-130, 1 TD. Receiving:
Damien Linson, 7-191, 1 TD Ohio - Passing: Brad Bower, 13-19, 122
yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Kalvin McRae, 20-76, 1 TD. Receiving: Rudy
Sylvan, 4-11 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Kalvin
McRae never got going against Central Michigan with a relatively
ineffective 76 yards, but the big problem was the defense. Ohio isn't
built for comebacks, and once the Chippewas got down early Brad Bower
and the passing game couldn't come back. The opening of the second half
was strong, but the offense couldn't build on the momentum of long
scoring drive. This wasn't the way Ohio played all year and didn't look
at all like the team that dominated over the last few weeks; it'll kick
itself for the way it played.
Nov. 24
Ohio 34 ... Miami University 24
Ohio ran for 304 yards led by a season-high 180 yards from RB
Kalvin McRae with touchdown runs from 48 and 66 yards. Miami stayed in
the game thanks to QB Mike Kokal, who threw for two touchdowns and ran
for a score that tied it at 24 in the fourth, but the Bobcats pulled
away with a one-yard Josh Febus scoring run and a 27-yard Matt Lasher
field goal. The Ohio defense did the rest helped by three sacks to snuff
out the second-to-last drive. Player of the game
... Ohio
RB Kalvin McRae ran 22 times for 180 yards and two touchdowns Stat Leaders: Ohio- Passing: Brad Bower, 10-17,
133 yds Rushing: Kalvin McRae, 22-180, 2 TD Receiving:
Scott Mayle, 3-88 Miami Univ. - Passing: Mike Kokal, 20-36, 180 yds,
2 TD, 1 INT Rushing: Mike Kokal, 13-95, 1 TD Receiving: Ryne Robinson, 8-91, 1
TD Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... So much
for packing it in for a meaningless game before the MAC title game. Ohio
got the best game of the year out of Kalvn McRae, who ran well with
starting QB Austen Everson sitting out. Brad Bower ran and threw
efficiently, while the defense, despite the overall problems stopping
the MU offense, got wonderful performances out of LB Matt Muncy and DB
T.J. Wright, who if they didn't have All-MAC spots before, sealed them
against the RedHawks.
Nov. 16
Ohio 17 ... Akron 7
Ohio clinched the MAC East title with a big defensive
performance only allowing a 19-yard touchdown catch from Jabari Arthur
late in the fourth quarter, while the Bobcat offense got a workmanlike
day from RB Kalvin McRae, who ran for 136 yards and a three-yard
touchdown. Matt Muncy, recovered a fumbled punt attempt for a score to
give Ohio 14-0 first half lead. Mark Parson broke up six passes
for the Bobcats. Player of the game
... Ohio
RB Kalvin McRae ran 31 times for 136 yards and a touchdown and caught
two passes for nine yards Stat Leaders: Ohio- Passing: Austen Everson, 6-15,
49 yds Rushing: Kalvin McRae, 31-136, 1 TD Receiving:
William Norwood, 2-25 Akron - Passing: Luke Getsy, 21-46, 227 yds, 1 TD,
2 INT Rushing: Dennis Kennedy, 15-34 Receiving: Jabari
Arthur, 7-95, 1 TD Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... The
formula keeps on working: run Kalvin McRae, get clutch defense, and
don't screw up. The run defense was tremendous against Akron never
letting Dennis Kennedy get going, while the secondary was all over the
Zip receivers led by a brilliant day from Mark Parson. Now the Bobcats
are off to the MAC title as the winners of the East, but they can't let
down next week at Miami with the possibility of an 11-win season out
there.
Nov. 4
Ohio 16 ... Eastern Michigan 10
After getting stuffed in the first half, Kalvin McRae ran wild
in the second finishing with 141 yards and a touchdown rumbling in
from 11 yards out in the third quarter for the final score of the
game. Eastern Michigan took a 10-9 lead on a one-yard Tyler Jones
touchdown run, but the Eagle offense could get going in the second
half while McRae helped the Bobcats hold on to the ball for over 20
minutes. The Bobcats finished with 278 rushing yards. Player of the game
... Ohio
RB Kalvin McRae ran 23 times for 141 yards and a touchdown and
caught four passes for 17 yards
Stat Leaders: Ohio- Passing: Austen Everson, 7-12,
46 yds, Rushing: Kalvin McRae, 23-141, 1 TD Receiving:
Kalvin McRae, 4-17 Eastern Michigan - Passing: Tyler Jones, 13-25,
107 yds, 1 INT Rushing: Tyler Jones, 17-52, 1 TD Receiving: Trumaine Riley, 6-35 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... The
Bobcats just need to win one of its final two games against Akron or
Miami and it's in the MAC title game, and with a five-game winning
streak, it's on a fantastic roll and in range for a a double-digit
win season. Considering the problems on offense over the first half
of the season, the turnaround is nothing short of amazing. This
isn't a dominant team by any means, but Kalvin McRae has turned into
the MAC player of the year while the defense, led by LB Matt Muncy's
consistent play, has been unbelievable over the several weeks.
Oct. 28
Ohio 17 ... Kent State 7
In a defensive battle played in lousy weather conditions, all
the scoring was done in the first half with Voncarie Owens tearing
off a 17-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and Kalvin McRae
bouncing in a three-yard run in the second quarter. Julian Edelman,
who did most of his damage on the ground with 121 yards, threw an
eight-yard touchdown pass to Tom Sitko, but the Matt Lasher put it
away with a 30-yard field goal. The two teams combined to
convert just five of 24 third down chances. Player of the
game ... Ohio DE Ernie
Hodge had eight tackles, four tackles for loss and 1½ sacks. Stat Leaders: Ohio- Passing: Austen Everson,
7-15, 52 yds, 1 INT Rushing: Kalvin McRae, 24-103, 1 TD Receiving: Kalvin
McRae, 2-23 Kent State - Passing: Julian Edelman, 7-20, 79
yds, 1 TD Rushing: Julian Edelman, 23-121 Receiving: Brian
Bell, 2-40 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... The win
over Kent State was hardly a thing of beauty, but Ohio hardly cares
as it takes total control over the MAC East race. The defense has
been tremendous over the last few weeks and the running of both
Kalvin McRae and Austen Everson has been a big plus. Eastern
Michigan, Akron and Miami University, the teams Ohio plays in the
final three games, have been awful, so as long as there aren't many
turnovers, and as long as the penalties slow down after committing
11 against Kent State, it'll be on to the title game.
Oct. 21
Ohio 42 ... Buffalo 7
Ohio had no problems with Buffalo getting out to a 28-0
halftime lead on two Kalvin McRae touchdown runs, the first of two
William Norwood scoring grabs, and a one-yard run from Voncarie
Owens. Buffalo finally got on the board in the third quarter on ta
four-yard James Starks run, but couldn't get anything else going
offensively. The Bobcats outgained UB 223 rushing yards to 39.
Player of the game
... Ohio RB Kalvin McRae ran 17 times for 109 yards and two
touchdowns and caught one pass for 25 yards Stat Leaders: Buffalo - Passing: Drew Willy, 14-25,
129 yds Rushing: Drew Willy, 8-15 Receiving: James Starks,
6-55 Ohio - Passing: Austen Everson, 11-17, 112 yds,
1 TD
Rushing: Kalvin McRae, 17-109, 2 TD Receiving: Chido
Nwokcha, 4-23 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Ohio has won three straight and remains
in a position to take over the East next week at Kent State. Kalvin
McRae and the running game are rolling, while Austen Everson came up
with a nice performance against Buffalo. As long as the offense is
moving the chains and converting on third down chances, there's a
chance to get through the final four games unscathed, even though
three are on the road. Getting the same pass rush it got against UB
would be nice.
Oct. 14
Ohio 20 ... Illinois 17
After recovering a fumble in the final minute, Ohio's Matt
Lasher hit a 32-yard field goal with five seconds to play to stun the
Illini. Kalvin McRae ran for two second quarter touchdowns and Lasher
hit a 32-yard field goal in the third, while the defense forced five
turnovers. Illinois got two touchdown passes from Juice Williams and
racked up 397 yards of total offense, but the turnovers proved to be too
costly. Player of the game ... Ohio RB Kalvin McRae ran 25
times for 108 yards and two touchdowns and led the Bobcats with three
catches for 17 yards Stat Leaders: Ohio- Passing: Austen
Everson, 7-15, 106 yds, 1 INT Rushing: Kalvin McRae, 25-108, 2 TD. Receiving:
Kalvin McRae, 3-17 Illinois - Passing: Isaiah Williams,
16-34, 186 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Isaiah Williams, 17-96. Receiving: DeJuan
Warren, 4-20 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Give credit to Ohio for taking advantage of
every opportunity it had against Illinois. The offense didn't get the
passing game going, and the defense gave up too many yards, but Kalvin
McRae had one of his best games of the year, considering the opponent,
and the defense made the big plays needed to slow down the Illini. Now
the Bobcats have to use this momentum to beat Buffalo next week before a
showdown at Kent State. The MAC East is still there to be won.
Oct. 7
Ohio 27 ... Western Michigan 20
Ohio turned turnovers to points jumping out to a 17-0 lead
highlighted by an 88-yard Chris Garrett punt return for a touchdown
and a two-yard Kalvin McRae score. Western Michigan's offense
finally got going, but it was too late with two late Ryan Cubit
touchdown passes. The Broncos first got on the board on a 66-yard
C.J. Wilson interception for a score midway through the third, but
Ohio answered twice with a 38-yard Matt Lasher field goal and a
three-yard McRae touchdown run. Player of the game ... Ohio RB Kalvin McRae ran 19
times for 120 yards and two touchdowns Stat Leaders: Western Michigan- Passing: Ryan
Cubit, 24-40, 243 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing: Mark Bonds, 15-64 Receiving: Brandon West,
6-53 Ohio - Passing: Austen Everson, 8-16, 79 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Kalvin McRae, 19-120, 2 TD Receiving: Chido
Nwokocha, 2-38 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... All of a
sudden, Ohio is back in the MAC race. The defense did a fantastic
job led by Tyler Russ, while the running game got back to being the
Ohio running game with Kalvin McRae regaining the form that made him
a preseason All-MAC candidate. Austin Everson's passing might not be
anything to get excited about, but he ran as well as he had all
season long. The key will be to maintain focus at Illinois next week
and not slip against Buffalo the week after.
Sept. 30
Bowling Green 21 ... Ohio 9
Freddie Barnes scored two touchdowns on a four-yard run in the
first quarter and a one-yard run in the second, but it was the Bowling
Green defense that dominated keeping Ohio to only 54 rushing yards and
forcing three takeaways. Ohio got a 32-yard Matt Lasher field goal and a
23-yard Rudy Sylvan touchdown catch but Bowling Green was always able to
stay one step ahead offensively, and couldn't handle the Falcon pass
rush. Stat Leaders: Bowling Green- Passing: Anthony
Turner, 9-18, 77 yds Rushing: Chris Bullock, 21-114, 1 TD Receiving: Freddie
Barnes, 4-68 Ohio - Passing: Austen Everson, 19-32, 165 yds, 2
INTs
Rushing: Kalvin McRae, 16-55 Receiving: Rudy Sylvan, 7-79, 1
TD Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... For the
third straight week, the offense couldn't get anything going. Kalvin
McRae needs room to run. Not getting any against Missouri is one thing,
but the line didn't get much of a push against a struggling Bowling
Green front line. The defense wasn't bad, but it couldn't make the game
changing play needed. Now the Bobcats have to find a way to come up with
a home win against Western Michigan next week or risk being knocked out
of the MAC race before mid-October.
Sept. 23
Missouri 31 ... Ohio 6
Missouri's defense only allowed
188 yards and six points coming on an eight-yard touchdown catch from
Thomas Christy. Chase Daniel connected with William Franklin for
touchdowns from 68 and nine yards out, and he ran for a five-yard score.
Jimmy Jackson ran for a two-yard touchdown in the final minutes. Only
turnovers could keep it close with Mizzou giving it away three times. Player of the game ... Missouri WR Will Franklin caught
four passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns Stat Leaders: Ohio- Passing: Austen
Everson, 13-23, 110 yds, 1 TD Rushing: Kalvin McRae, 10-25. Receiving:
Kalvin McRae, 6-43 Missouri - Passing:
Chase Daniel, 18-34, 258 yds, 2
TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Tony Temple 15-60. Receiving: Will
Franklin, 4-99, 2 TD Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Ohio couldn't get the running game going
against Missouri, and it didn't have a chance to get anything else going
with no passing game to count on. Austen Everson wasn't able to connect
on any deep plays to loosen things up for Kalvin McRae and the ground
attack. While the defense came up with a few big plays to keep it from
being a blowout, it didn't do nearly enough to slow down the Mizzou
offensive balance. There won't be the same concern next week against a
Bowling Green team that can only run.
Sept. 16
Rutgers 24 ... Ohio 7
Rutgers held Ohio to 119 yards of total offense and -6 yards
rushing, while the points came from two four-yard touchdowns from Ray
Rice and a fumble recovery in the end zone by Brandon Renkart in the
final minute of the first half. The Bobcats only had to go 17 yards in
six plays to strike first on a one-yard Austen Everson touchdown pass to
Thomas Christy, but that would be their only high point of the day.
Player of the game ...
Rutgers RB Ray Rice ran for 190 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries.
Stat Leaders: Ohio- Passing: Austen Everson, 11-21,
77 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing: Kalvin McRae, 12-28 Receiving: Chido Nwokocha,
4-45 Rutgers - Passing: Mike Teel, 6-16, 83 yds, 3 INTs Rushing: Ray Rice, 29-190, 2 TDs Receiving: Brian
Leonard, 4-64 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Ohio couldn't carry the momentum from its
terrific win over Northern Illinois. That game appeared to mark a
watershed moment for QB Austen Everson, but he reverted back to his
mediocre self against Rutgers with nothing coming from the passing game
and even more problems with the ground attack. Kalvin McRae is way too
good a back to only gain 28 yards. Things aren't likely to get too much
better against a hot Missouri team next week, so the key will be for
Everson to try to be more efficient and get more big passes downfield.
Sept. 9
Ohio 35 ... Northern Illinois 23
Ohio cranked out 509 yards of total offense and overcame a
17-7 deficit to go on a 28-6 run over the final 31 minutes of the game
for the stunning win. Austen Everson threw three touchdown passes and
Kalvin McRae score three times in the second half including a 58-yard
scoring play in the third for the game-winner. NIU pulled within five in
the fourth on a 14-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Perez, but McRae put it
away on a 24-yard dash with 2:31 to play. Player of the game ... Ohio QB Austen Everson completed
23 of 31 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns and ran eight times
for 41 yards Stat Leaders: Northern Illinois- Passing:
Phil Horvath, 19-41, 261 yds, 1 TD Rushing: Garrett Wolfe, 24-196, 2 TD. Receiving:
Britt Davis, 5-53 Ohio - Passing: Austen Everson, 23-31,
322 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Kalvin McRae, 17-106, 2 TD. Receiving:
Kalvin McRae, 5-98, 1 TD Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Where did
that come from? Austen Everson was Troy Smith part two with a
brilliant performance both running and passing against Northern Illinois
on the way to over 500 yards of total Bobcat offense. Kalvin McRae might
not have had the rushing numbers of Garrett Wolfe, but he had the better
all-around game and established himself as a major candidate for MAC
Player of the Year. Now the team has to handle two tough road games at
Rutgers and Missouri before diving back into MAC play, but if the
offense plays like this, there might be an upset or two.
Sept. 2
Ohio 29 ... UT Martin 3
Ohio's defense and special teams bailed out its inept offense
with a safety, a 35-yard fumble recovery, and a forced turnover that led
to a three-yard Kalvin McRae touchdown run. Matt Lasher added two field
goals and Austen Everson ran for a one yard score. UTM, which only
gained 123 yards of total offense, only managed an 18-yard Taylor Brown
field goal. Ohio only gained 144 yards. Player of the game ... Ohio LB Matt Muncy led the
Bobcat D with eight tackles and broke up one pass Stat Leaders: UT Martin- Passing: Dexter
Anoka, 11-18, 72 yds Rushing: Don Chapman, 23-56. Receiving:
Jamaal Akbar, 3-48 Ohio - Passing: Austen Everson, 8-17, 49
yds
Rushing: Kalvin McRae, 10-28, 1 TD. Receiving:
Scott Mayle, 5-38 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
The defense was fantastic against UT Martin,
but the offense was stunningly non-existent with no push up front for RB
Kalvin McRae and even less production from the passing game. It'll be a
simple formula for the Bobcats over the next several weeks: stop the
run, force turnovers, and capitalize on all mistakes. If any of those
three don't happen, the road trips to Northern Illinois, Rutgers and
Missouri will be brutal.
Ohio was looking to get on the national map when it hired Frank Solich to be the head coach, and for good and bad, it worked.
There was Solich's DUI that brought the wrong kind of
attention to Athens, and there was the nationally televised, very
bizarre overtime win over Pitt that had everyone talking. Now the program is looking to be
known for doing more on the field after a lousy final nine games of
the 2005 season. There are improvements The running game was better, the
offensive line was far better in pass protection, and several young
players showed enough promise to suggest that 2006 could be the year
Ohio flirts with its first winning record since 2000. However,
there's still a lot of work to be done. A lot.
The passing attack was
abysmal forcing an open audition for the starting job this year even
though Austen Everson started every game last season. There was no pass
rush from the defensive line, and the secondary was horrible despite
getting decent years from the safeties and having two good corners in
Dion Byrum and T.J. Wright. Worse yet, there appears to still be a long
way to go with all seven of last year's losses coming by nine points or
more. In other words, outside of the tremendous upset over Pitt and the
wins over the dregs like Kent State, Ball State and Buffalo, Ohio wasn't
even close.
This isn't a good enough team to challenge for the MAC East title, but
there should be plenty of improvement with 20 returning starters, a
great running game led by all-star back Kalvin McRae, and one of the
MAC's better linebacking corps.
A winning record would be a great second season for Solich to show that
things are pointed in the right direction with an eye one big 2007 when
the team will be even more loaded with experience.
The
Schedule:
It's harsh early on with three straight road games
including the MAC opener against Northern Illinois. Three of the four
conference home dates aren't going to be walks in the park with Buffalo
the only win the team can probably count on. The Bobcats probably don't
have the firepower to hang with Bowling Green, Western Michigan or
Akron, so there will have to be some road upsets along the way. That
could be tough with three road games in the final four dates.
Best
Offensive Player:
Junior RB Kalvin McRae. He isn't going to make many highlight reels, but
he's a hard-nosed back who always gets the tough yards and is the
workhorse for the attack. If the passing game improves to take some of
the pressure off him, he has the potential to be a 1,500-yard back.
Best
Defensive Player: Senior LB Matt Muncy. He's not going to win MAC
Defensive Player of the Year honors in a league with Central Michigan DE
Dan Bazuin, but he should be the best linebacker in the conference. He
can do everything from stop the run to rush the passer to make plays in
pass coverage.
Key player
to a successful season: Senior QB Austen Everson. Or junior Brad
Bower, or sophomore Brandon Jones, or redshirt freshman Josh Febus. Ohio
doesn't have to challenge Hawaii and Texas Tech for the national passing
crown, but it does have to complete more passes and has to be far more
efficient.
The season
will be a success if ... The Bobcats win six games. That's a much, much bigger goal
than it might seem with a team that returns so much experience after a
four-win campaign. The overall talent level still isn't there compared
to the better MAC teams, and the schedule is a bear for a program trying
to quickly rise up.
Key game:
Sept. 30 vs. Bowling Green. It'll be the first home game after three
straight road dates and the first game of the year against a MAC East
team. Ohio has to take advantage of every home game it has, especially
against division foes.
2005 Fun
Stats:
- Average yards per pass: Opponents 8.1 - Ohio 4.9
- Fourth down conversions: Opponents 53% (10-19) - Ohio 0% (0-5)
- Second half scoring: Opponents 167 - Ohio 59
The Last Time Ohio…
…played in a bowl game…1968 (Tangerine Bowl vs. Richmond)
…missed a bowl game…2005
…pitched a shutout…2004 (Buffalo)
…was shutout…2005 (Virginia Tech)
…scored 50 points…2002 (Kent)
…went undefeated…1960
…won a conference title…1968 (MAC)
…had a 3,000-yard passer…Never
…had a 1,000-yard rusher…2005 (Kalvin McRae)
…had a 1,000-yard receiver…Never
…had a first-round draft choice…1936 (T Art Lewis)
