Ohio stumbling at halfway mark
Bobcats tied for last in the MAC East
By Nick Piotrowicz, Staff Writer
October 6, 2008 | 6 a.m.
Midway through the 2008 season, things have not gone exactly the way the Ohio Bobcats had planned. Although they have not played as poorly as their record indicates, the Bobcats have sunk to 1-5 overall and 0-2 in MAC play.
Ohio opened the 2008 season with a 21-20 loss at Wyoming, a team who now sits at the bottom of the Mountain West Conference. The Bobcats had a 17-14 lead at halftime, but ultimately became their own worst enemy, committing 12 penalties for 115 yards, as well as two untimely personal fouls during the winning drive. Despite an efficient performance from junior quarterback Theo Scott (26-35, one touchdown), the ‘Cats offense managed merely three second half points and 13 total. A one-point loss was all too familiar for Ohio as the Cowboys left Athens with a one-point, come-from-behind victory last year.
The road did not get any easier for Ohio. Met with the challenge of taking on the No.3-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes on the road, the Bobcats rose to the occasion and nearly accomplished the unthinkable. A 33 point underdog, the ‘Cats took a 14-6 lead in the third quarter off a Curtis Meyers fumble recovery for a touchdown as a stunned Ohio Stadium crowd looked on. Once again, the Bobcats were responsible for their own demise. The team turned the ball over five times in the game and gave up three touchdowns in the last 18 minutes, including a 69-yard punt return for a touchdown to speedy Buckeye return man Ray Small. To compound the 26-14 loss, starting quarterback Scott left the game in the first quarter and has not played another down since. Scott’s replacement, junior transfer Boo Jackson, was thrust into the limelight for his first career Division I start, Ohio’s home opener against Mid-American Conference opponent Central Michigan.
Jackson was more than capable in his debut, completing 17 of 31 passes, throwing three touchdowns and setting an Ohio record with 513 yards of total offense. Even with the lights-out play of their new signal caller, the Bobcats struggled to stop the high-power air attack of Central Michigan and fell 31-28 following two fumbles by Jackson in the last five minutes of the game, dropping the team to 0-3 on the season.
Game four was no better for the Bobcats, who for the third time lost by one possession, this time in a 16-8 defeat at the hands of Northwestern. Yet again, Ohio did little to help their cause. Despite five Wildcats turnovers, the Bobcats returned the favor with four turnovers of their own and poor special teams play. Kicker Barrett Way missed a 42-yard field goal and had two others blocked. The Bobcats headed back to Athens with their fourth loss in as many games.
The Ohio homecoming crowd saw its’ Bobcats finally pick up their first win in a 51-31 shootout victory against FCS Subdivision opponent VMI Sept. 27. After giving up 300 first-half yards, the Ohio defense yielded only seven second-half points. Boo Jackson (16-23, 287 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and 47 yards rushing) turned in another impressive performance at Peden Stadium.
The Bobcats’ lone victory was short-lived. As MAC play resumed, the Ohio defense continued to struggle in a 41-20 drubbing at Western Michigan. Bronco quarterback Tim Hiller scorched Ohio, connecting on 24 of 37 passes for 347 yards and four touchdowns. After taking a 7-6 lead late in the second quarter, Ohio was outscored 36-13 in the game’s final 30:04 by Western Michigan, who remains tied with Ball State for the MAC West lead. The season is certainly far from over, but the Bobcats have left themselves little room for error. Although Ohio is now 0-5 against Division I opponents, they remain only one game out of the MAC East lead with six games remaining. The Green and White will travel to Kent State Saturday in attempt to exact a measure of revenge for the Golden Flashes’ 2007 win at Peden Stadium, one of the two Bobcats losses in Athens a year ago.
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