KENT – Sean Leonard missed a 32-yard field goal attempt wide right to allow Ohio to hold on to a 13-10 victory against Kent State to begin Mid-American Conference play Saturday at Dix Stadium.

Leonard also had a 49-yard attempt blocked by Jack Fries early in the fourth quarter.

The Bobcats (3-2, 1-0 MAC) did not get much going offensively all day long, but the defense stood tough, holding the Golden Flashes (2-3, 1-1 MAC) to only 49 yards rushing and intercepting quarterback Dru Deshields twice.

"We were 0-2 (on the road) coming in here," Ohio coach John Hauser said. "We put an emphasis on it and found a way to win a game. I am proud of the guys, their effort, and just getting a win on the road."

Starting again for the injured Nick Poulos, Matt Vezza struggled and was replaced by freshman Levi Davis, but Ohio managed enough offense to get the job done.

Will Hryszko kicked a pair of field goals, including a 40-yarder for the game’s first points with 3:27 left in the first quarter, and a 44-yarder with 15 seconds left in the third quarter that ultimately served as the difference in the game.

Leonard’s 24-yard field goal tied the game at 3 early in the second quarter. One promising Ohio drive came to an end when Rily Palmeter fumbled after a catch, but Michael Molnar’s interception got the ball right back for the Bobcats, and this time they cashed in with their only touchdown of the day, a Vezza 35-yard run on third-and-13.

The Golden Flashes threatened to get points before the half, but after reaching the Bobcats 33-yard line, they false started and then Molnar came up with a sack.

Kendall Bannister intercepted DeShields to give Ohio possession at midfield to start the second half, but this time, Vezza fumbled, with Semaj Bridgeman recovering. That set up Kent State’s only touchdown, which was scored on the second fourth-down conversion of the drive, a fourth-and-goal 1-yard run by Mason King.

Davis entered and immediately led Ohio to the go-ahead field goal. After Leonard’s blocked field goal, the Bobcats punted after reaching midfield and then forced a quick punt by the Golden Flashes. Another good Ohio drive ended at the Kent State 39 when Duncan Brune was topped for no game on fourth-and-1, leaving the Golden Flashes 2:30 to try score the tying or winning points.

A pass interference call on fourth-and-5 kept Kent State’s chances alive, and a 16-yard completion to Da’Realyst Clark on third-and-8 moved the ball to Ohio’s 23. The Bobcats held after that, and Leonard missed from 32 yards out.

Vezza was just 4-of-9 passing for 38 yards and was sacked twice in his two and a half quarters. Davis went 4-for-5 passing for 34 yards and rushed five times for 42 yards. After missing two games, Bruen had 18 carries for 86 yards.

DeShields was 20-of-35 passing for 217 yards, completing six passes for 68 yards to Clark. Running backs Brandon White and Mason King combined for just 47 yards on 17 carries.

Isaac Ackerman had 1.5 sacks, giving him 3.5 in the first five games. Fries had 10 tackles, and Molnar had eight tackles and two pass breakups in addition to the interception.

"We're a three-phase team," Fries said. "We need offense, defense, and special teams. Special teams oftentimes go under the radar, but we had guys make a bunch of plays."

Ohio hosts Central Michigan for its homecoming game at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Peden Stadium.