BOWLING GREEN – Ohio’s defense scored a pair of touchdowns, and the Bobcats ran out to a big lead early while thumping Bowling Green 38-7 to begin Mid-American Conference play Saturday at Doyt Perry Stadium.

Keye Thompson and Roman Parodie both returned fumbles for touchdowns in the first half, and Kurtis Rourke was efficient with three touchdown passes and only two incompletions.

Once again, an opposing offense was overwhelmed by Ohio’s defense, which allowed just 206 yards and forced four touchdowns.

Thompson also had an interception on the game’s first possession to set up a quick score for the Bobcats. Rourke threw to Sieh Bangura for a 29-yard touchdown pass and a 7-0 lead.

Jacoby Jones made a 42-yard catch on the next possession, Sam Wiglusz had a 20-yard catch, and Will Kacmarek caught a deflected third-down pass for a 10-yyard touchdown with 8:38 left in the first quarter.

Then came Thompson’s 71-yard fumble return after a fumble forced by Torrie Cox, and the Bobcats were up 21-0 less than 10 minutes into the game.

After Gianni Spetic missed on a 50-yard field goal try in the first quarter, he hit from 27 yards out with 8:43 left in the first half. On the first play from scrimmage after the field goal, a Bryce Houston hit forced a fumble recovered by Parodie, who ran it back 28 yards to make it 31-0.

Ohio had a mistake of its own on its next possession, with punter Jared Wheatley fumbling a snap and getting tackled at the Bobcats 20-yard line before he could get off a kick. But Bowling Green had wound up with nothing to show for it, turning the ball over on downs.

Walter Reynolds intercepted Bowling Green’s Connor Bazelak early in the third quarter, but a Rourke fumbled gave it back to the Falcons. After they punted, the Bobcats scored their final points on a Rourke 19-yard touchdown pass to Miles Cross near the end of the third quarter.

Bowling Green’s only points came early in the fourth quarter on a Terion Stewart 4-yard touchdown run one play after he broke free for a 46-yard gain.

Jacoby Jones had four catches for 85 yards in the first half before leaving with an injury. The Bobcats were somewhat limited in their running game, getting 42 yards from O’Shaan Allison on 13 carries.

Bowling Green’s Bazelak was 17-of-32 passing for 104 yards. Stewart had 107 yards rushing on 12 carries.

The Bobcats have a bye week before hosting Kent State at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Peden Stadium.