MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Ohio used a huge first half from quarterback Parker Navarro to build a lead and then held off Central Michigan late 27-25 for its first win at Kelly/Shorts Stadium since 2011.

Navarro and the Bobcats (4-2, 2-0 Mid-American Conference) held a 332-63 advantage in yards in the first half that resulted in a 24-0 lead. The Chippewas were nearly as dominant in the second half with a 25-3 scoring advantage, but the Bobcats were able to run out the clock late.

Most of Navarro’s 176 yards rushing came before halftime. He also finished the game 13-of-22 passing for 147 yards with one touchdown both passing and rushing.

Central Michigan (3-3, 1-1 MAC) chipped away in the second half and made it a 24-18 game with Marion Lukes’... <Read More>

ATHENS – Quarterback Parker Navarro returned from an injury to spark the offense, and the defense was stout as Ohio celebrated homecoming with a 30-10 victory against Akron on Saturday at Peden Stadium.

Navarro, who sat out a loss to Kentucky last week, went 12-of-18 passing for 204 yards and two touchdowns and ran 13 times for 113 yards and a score. Meanwhile, the defense held the Zips to jut 178 yards of total offense, including minus 18 on the ground, the first time since 2006, also against Akron, that Ohio has limited an opponent to less than 0 yards rushing.

"The guys are bought in,” Ohio coach Tim Albin said. “They want to be great. They take the coaching, and sometimes it's really hard coaching, especially after some of the penalty... <Read More>

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Ohio hung tough for a while before Kentucky eventually overwhelmed the Bobcats 41-6 to wrap up nonconference play Saturday at Kroger Stadium.

Kentucky led just 3-0 after one quarter, and Ohio was in position to cut its deficit again to three in the middle of the third quarter, but a fumble eventually turned into a 14-point swing, and the Wildcats rolled from there.

With backup quarterback Nick Paulos starting, the Bobcats (2-2) were able to put up just 223 yards of offense, while the Wildcats (2-2) rolled to 488 yards.

Defense kept Ohio in it early. Kentucky’s first two drives resulted in a three-and-out and a 30-yard Alex Raynor field goal. The Wildcats finally broke through with the game’s first touchdown on the second... <Read More>

ATHENS – With the offense struggling, defense carried Ohio to a 21-6 victory against FCS Morgan State on Saturday at Peden Stadium.

Quarterback Parker Navarro was benched after throwing three first-half interceptions, but the Bobcats (2-1) were able to prevail by allowing only a pair of field goals and only 211 yards on the day to the Bears (1-2).

“We had some big stops,” Ohio coach Tim Albin said. “I just thought that going in the game we had an advantage with our with our defensive line versus their offensive line. I thought we had an advantage in the special teams, and that that's how it played out.”

Things started well enough for Ohio. Navarro led a touchdown drive on the Bobcats’ opening possession, throwing a 19-yard scoring pass to... <Read More>