ATHENS – Even a Big 12 offense was no match for Ohio’s defense.

Iowa State was shut out until less than five minutes remained as Ohio took a 10-7 victory Saturday at Peden Stadium.

The Bobcats (3-1) struggled offensively, but turned an interception into their only touchdown and then got another pick to seal the game late. Ohio has given up just 47 points this year and allowed just 38 net rushing yards to the Cyclones (1-2).

"We asked them to raise the bar, and in a tie game when it's on the line, who's going to be the smartest? Who's going to have the most discipline and do the things?" Ohio coach Tim Albin said. "We've got expectations and goals for the season and a plan on how to get those. Turnovers, field position and Ohio doesn't beat... <Read More>

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Ohio got its key offensive playmakers back but still relied on its defense to take a 17-10 victory against Florida Atlantic on Saturday evening at FAU Stadium.

The Bobcats (2-1) held the Owls (1-1) to just 185 yards of offense, including only 5 net rushing yards, and made a trio of stops in the final five and a half minutes to preserve the victory.

After missing the last game and three quarters, Kurtus Rourke started slow, with an interception on his first pass attempt, but he eventually made enough plays for the Bobcats. He was 18-of-29 passing for 203 yards and a touchdown and ran for another 26 yards. His top targets from a year ago, Sam Wiglusz (four catches for 22 yards) and Jacoby Jones (two catches for 20 yards)... <Read More>

ATHENS – With Kurtis Rourke sitting out after a first-quarter injury last week, Ohio turned to its defense to lead the way in a 27-10 victory against FCS opponent Long Island in its home opener Saturday at Peden Stadium.

The Bobcats (1-1) allowed just 206 yards of offense and did not allow the Sharks (0-1) to reach the end zone until the final quarter.

CJ Harris started in place of Rourke, and Parker Navarro, who suffered an injury last season also played, even though Ohio coach Tim Albin said this week that he expected Rourke to play. The Bobcats did not need him in this one.

Offensively, though, it was Sieh Bangura who carried the load with 19 carries for 107 yards. O’Shaan Allison carried 13 times, though he managed only 27 yards, and... <Read More>

SAN DIEGO – Ohio fell short, but if Kurtis Rourke is OK, it probably could be considered a win.

Rourke, who underwent ACL injury after an injury late last season, left a 20-13 loss to San Diego State in the first quarter Saturday evening at Snapdragon Stadium.

Ohio’s offense struggled without him, and the status of the reining Mid-American Conference player of the year was unclear. Rourke stayed down on the field following a sack on the final play of the first quarter, but eventually jumped up and ran off the field. However, he reportedly was not on the sideline later in the game.

Perhaps Rourke’s absence was precautionary, but the Bobcats sputtered on offense without him. CJ Harris completed just 18-of-42 passes for 203 yards with three... <Read More>

TUSCON, Ariz. – Nathanial Vakos kicked a 46-yard field goal to force overtime, and Tyler Foster pulled down the game-winning touchdown from CJ Harris as Ohio topped Wyoming 30-27 in the Arizona Bowl on Friday afternoon at Arizona Stadium.

Foster held onto a contested catch over the Cowboys’ Derron Harrell on a third-down play to give the Bobcats (10-4) their fourth 10-win season in school history while pushing their bowl game winning streak to four.

“Emotions were high, and I was feeling pretty confident,” said Harris, who threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-33 passing. “It was a one-on-one matchup and I thought I’ve got to get it to my guy, and Tyler came down with the ball and we celebrated in the end zone.”

With Harris... <Read More>

DETROIT – The Mid-American Conference football title drought continues.

Ohio could not catch a break and could not get its offense in gear, falling 17-7 to Toledo in the MAC Championship game Saturday afternoon at Ford Field.

The loss snapped the Bobcats’ seven-game winning streak and extends their consecutive seasons without a MAC championship to 54.

While third-string quarterback CJ Harris came up big in his first career start in a win against Bowling Green last week to get the Bobcats (9-4) to the title game, offense was hard to come by against the Rockets (8-5). Ohio was held to 262 yards.

Toledo quarter Dequan Finn, who has dealt with a couple different injuries that have slowed him late in the season, was named the game’s offensive... <Read More>

ATHENS – Once CJ Harris and Ohio got going, they could not be stopped on their way to Detroit.

With starting quarterback Kurtis Rourke sidelined for the season by a knee injury, Harris did his part in leading the Bobcats to a 38-14 blowout of Bowling Green on Tuesday night at Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium to clinch a spot in the Mid-American Conference championship game.

Bowling Green scored the only points of the first quarter, but it was all Ohio after that. Harris was 10-of-21 passing for 196 yards and a touchdown and added 12 rushes for 65 yards and three scores in his first career start, helping the Bobcats to their fifth MAC championship game since 2006 and their first since 2016.

Ohio’s defense also played a big part in the... <Read More>

MUNCIE, Ind. – Ohio won its sixth straight game, but it came at a potentially big cost.

Kurtis Rourke left the game with a knee injury and did not return as the Bobcats beat Ball State 32-18 on Tuesday night at Scheumann Stadium.

With Ohio leading 17-3, the Mid-American Conference’s leading passer went down on a pass attempt late in the first half and was on the sideline in the second half with a brace and ice on his knee.

Ohio (8-3, 6-1 MAC) turned to C.J. Harris at quarterback but ultimately relied on Sieh Bangura and its defense to hold its lead. Bangura finished with 148 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries.

"This evening was a hard fought game by both sides," Ohio coach Tim Albin. "Our football team continues to find ways to win... <Read More>

OXFORD – Kurtis Rourke and Ohio continued to roll with a 37-21 victory against Miami on Tuesday night at Yager Stadium.

Rourke completed 25-of-35 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns, and Sieh Bangura returned to action with 20 carries for 145 yards and a touchdown as the Bobcats won their fifth straight game.

Miles Cross had a career game receiving with six receptions for 133 yards, and Jacoby Jones caught a pair of touchdown passes.

Ohio won the Battle of the Bricks for the second straight year and for the 13th time in the last 16 meetings.

"This was a great team win," Ohio coach Tim Albin. "This team has been really resilient all year. It's a challenge to go into the game and have great growth after spending the day in the hotel... <Read More>

ATHENS – Ohio moved atop the Mid-American Conference East standings with its fourth straight victory, a thorough 45-24 pounding of former MAC unbeaten Buffalo on Tuesday night at Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium.

The Bobcats (6-3, 4-1 MAC) scored the first 17 points of the game, and although the Bulls (5-4, 4-1 MAC) cut the deficit to seven on a couple of occasions, Ohio answered each time and pulled away.

Kurtis Rourke more than made up for a pick-six by throwing five touchdown passes. He was 20-of-29 passing for 317 yards and rushed for another 52 yards. Sam Wiglusz and Miles Cross each caught a pair of touchdowns, with Wiglusz finishing his night with 131 yards on six receptions.

Ohio set the tone in the first quarter, not allowing a... <Read More>

Lonnie McMillan Photo

Kurtis Rourke threw the go-ahead touchdown pass to Sam Wiglusz with seven minutes remaining, and Northern Illinois was unable to answer. Rourke finished 14-of-26 passing for 200 yards with a pair of passing touchdowns and another on the ground.

“We have a scrappy bunch, and we find a way to win, every week, every 60 minutes,” Ohio coach Tim Albin said. “It's a different identity every 60 minutes and our guys find a way. We knew it is going to be a challenge today with what we are facing, but we got it done. We're going to... <Read More>

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Ohio’s struggling defense came up forcing six turnovers, including five interceptions, in a dominant 33-14 victory against Western Michigan on Saturday at Waldo Stadium.

The Bobcats (4-3, 2-1 Mid-American Conference) sacked Broncos quarterback Jack Salopek five times and picked him off five times while also recovering a fumble in their first road victory of the season.

Zack Sanders and Torrie Cox Jr. each had two interceptions, with Bryce Dugan picking up the other on a deflected pass.

“An unbelievable performance by our defense,” Ohio coach Tim Albin. “The turnovers were the difference in the game. We challenged the team all week, and they responded.”

Offensively, Sieh Bangura scored a couple of touchdowns with 77... <Read More>

ATHENS – Ohio scored on the first play from scrimmage and led the entire way in a 55-34 homecoming victory against Akron on Saturday at Peden Stadium.

Kurtis Rourke connected on a 75-yard touchdown pass to Sam Wiglusz on the first play, and it was a sign of things to come as Rourke finished the day 24-of-27 passing for 427 yards and three touchdowns, with seven of those completions and 144 of those yards to Wiglusz, who later scored a second touchdown.

"The first play of the game was the best way to start the game," Wiglusz said. "We got a couple plays that we know we were going to get a chance to call out if we got the right look. It could not have played out much better and it really got us off to a hot start, so it felt great."

Akron... <Read More>

KENT – Marquez Cooper and Dante Cephas could not be stopped, and they willed mistake-filled Mid-American East Conference favorite Kent State over Ohio 31-24 in overtime on Saturday at Dix Stadium.

Cooper ran 40 times for 240 yards and two touchdowns, with Cephas making 13 catches for 246 yards and a score as the Golden Flashes racked up 736 yards of offense on 98 plays, eventually wearing out a Bobcats defense that stood tough until the fourth quarter.

Kurtis Rourke had another impressive game, completing 25 of 39 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns, but it was not enough for the Bobcats (2-3, 0-1 MAC). He was off the mark on his final three passes, including on a fourth-and-goal from the Kent State 5-yard line when Ohio needed a... <Read More>

ATHENS – Kurtis Rourke threw for a school-record 537 yards as Ohio racked up a program-best 692 yards of offense and needed every last one of them to rally past Fordham 59-52 on Saturday at Peden Stadium.

Unable to stop the Tim DeMorat-to-Fotis Kokosioulis connection of the Rams, the Bobcats fell behind 49-38 before the end of the third quarter. They scored the game-tying touchdown on a 5-yard pass from Rourke to Jacoby Jones with 52 seconds left, with a go-ahead Nathanial Vakos extra point following.

“I said last week, and I will say it again,” Ohio coach Tim Albin said. “One thing for certain is that this team has got fight. I challenged them at halftime. They took it well and our guys kept fighting. Unbelievable game at home with... <Read More>

AMES, Iowa – For the second straight week, Ohio was outmatched by a Power Five school, falling 43-10 to Iowa State on Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium.

The Cyclones (3-0) were up by 24 points only a few minutes into the second quarter and slowed down little from there.

Ohio was unable to establish its line play, finishing with just 24 yards rushing, and had to take it to the air to try to get some offense going, but there were mixed results there at best, with Kurtis Rourke throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble for the Bobcats’ first three turnovers of the season. Backup Parker Navarro also lost a fumble in the fourth quarter.

On the other hand, Iowa State had little trouble offensively, finishing with 463 yards of offense while... <Read More>

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State’s big play ability overwhelmed Ohio as the Nittany Lions rolled to a 46-10 victory Saturday at Beaver Stadium.

True freshman running back Nicholas Singleton scored on a pair of long runs and racked up 179 yards on just 10 carries to lead the way. Penn State finished with 572 yards while holding Ohio to just 264.

"We came in to win the football game and it didn't go our way," Ohio coach Tim Albin said. "As a staff, we need to take 24 hours and get a few guys' bumps and bruises cleaned up. Next week on the next stage we're going to look better."

Every time the Bobcats (1-1) seemed made a play to seemingly stay in the game, the Nittany Lions (2-0) responded with an even bigger moment and eventually ran away... <Read More>

Lonnie McMillan Photo

The Owls nearly rallied from a 17-point deficit in the final seven minutes, getting the ball back at its own 19-yard line down by three with one timeout and 1:36 remaining. FAU quarterback N’Kosi Perry completed first-down throws of 12 and 10 yards before firing incomplete on four straight passes to turn the ball over on downs.

Kurtis Rourke had a career day by completing 27 of 34 passes for 345 yards and four touchdowns to outduel Perry, who was 24 of 42 for 364 yards and five touchdowns.

"Great start at Peden stadium, the... <Read More>

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