This year at LGHL, the day before Ohio State games we are trying something a little different. “3 & Out” is going to inform you on the upcoming opponent for the Buckeyes. By the name, you probably could tell we are going to handle things in threes.
Along with highlighting three key players from Ohio State’s opponents, we will shed some light on three things the Buckeyes have to be wary of, and close things out by having a little fun by mentioning three notable alumni or facts from the school that’ll
be matching up with Ohio State.
Ohio State hosts Ohio on Saturday night under the lights at Ohio Stadium. Unlike last week when the only real exciting thing about Grambling State was their marching band, at least this week there are some bragging rights on the table.
Nevermind that Ohio State has never lost to Ohio, and the Buckeyes haven’t been defeated by a MAC school in over 100 years, the atmosphere in Columbus should be fun. If anything, enjoy Saturday night because it could be the only home night game on Ohio State’s regular season schedule this year.
1st down
Players to watch for Ohio
1) Parker Navarro
After taking over as the starter prior to the 2024 season, Navarro has provided stability at quarterback for the Bobcats. Navarro not only threw for over 2,400 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, he added 1,054 yards and 18 scores on the ground. His dual-threat ability is why the Bobcats were able to secure their first-ever 11-win season.
Despite Ohio losing in their opener, Navarro had Rutgers on their heels, throwing for three scores and adding another on the ground. For his performance against the Scarlet Knights, Navarro was named MAC Offensive Player of the Week, his fourth consecutive time earning the honor dating back to last season.
If there is a knock on Navarro, his decision making can be suspect at times. Last season Navarro was intercepted 11 times, and last week against West Virginia he tossed three picks. Against a talented Ohio State secondary, Navarro could be in line to commit a couple turnovers on Saturday night.
2) Sieh Bangura
After starting his career at Ohio, Bangura transferred to Minnesota prior to last season but only received four carries as a Golden Gopher. Bangura decided there is no place like home and returned to Athens for his senior season.
Back in 2022, Bangura exploded for nearly 1,100 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. Whole 2023 yards was quite as productive for Bangura, he still ran for over 800 yards and seven scores. So far this season, Bangura has posted 152 yards and a touchdown on 36 carries.
If Ohio State jumps out to an early lead they could quiet Bangura since Ohio will need to throw the football. Should the game be close, Bangura could churn yardage and limit the time the Buckeye offense is on the field.
3) Michael Molnar
The linebacker is Ohio’s second-leading tackler with 14 stops through two games. Molnar leads the team with 2.5 tackles for loss, as well as being the Bobcats who has put the most pressure on opposing quarterbacks with 1.5 sacks on the season.
For his efforts last week against West Virginia, the redshirt sophomore from Mason was named MAC Defensive Player of the Week. This is the first season where Molnar has seen consistent action, registering just 11 tackles in his first two seasons in Athens.
Molnar will have his hands full trying to decipher what the Buckeye offense will do on Saturday night. With his play so far this season, Molnar is looking like a bright young star for the Ohio defense, and he’ll get a chance to showcase his skills on the biggest stage in the battle with Ohio State.
2nd down
What Ohio State has to be wary of
1) Don’t get caught looking ahead
It would be easy for a bunch of college kids to be looking ahead to a week off, followed by their first road trip of the season, which also will be their Big Ten opener. We have seen it before. Uninspired efforts that make us want to pull out our hair (for those of us who still have some left).
Last week’s 70-0 victory can be dangerous. Hopefully the Buckeyes don’t think they can roll out of bed on Saturday and name their score. If they do they could be in for a rude awakening.
Ohio is no slouch. The Bobcats not only just beat West Virginia, and to open the season they went on the road and took Rutgers to the limit. That might not sound like much to Buckeye Nation, but Ohio will enter Saturday night’s contest brimming with confidence.
Luckily it feels like Ryan Day will have his team ready to go. If the fourth quarter last week is any indication, Day is even hungrier for another title now that he has won his first. Most coaches would be counting the seconds to the end of the game. Day was out there still teaching and coaching with fire even with his team up by a ridiculous amount.
2) Watch out for the giant killer
Even though West Virginia isn’t at Ohio State’s level, Ohio gained a ton of confidence last week by taking down the Mountaineers in one of the biggest wins in school history. The win comes just a week after the Bobcats only lost to Rutgers by a field goal in New Jersey.
As long as Ohio State plays their game they should be in good shape. What the Buckeyes can’t afford to do is make some early mistakes and put some wind in the sails of Ohio. The Bobcats are in the midst of their best stretch of football in the program’s history over the last few years, so they shouldn’t be taken lightly.
3) Brutus needs to have his head on a swivel
Back in 2010, Ohio mascot Rufus viciously attacked Brutus, taking down the Ohio State mascot. Even worse, Rufus came into where Brutus lives and put his shoes all over the couch. It was a dark day in Ohio State history.
With 15 years to think about the attack, hopefully Brutus has been working on his awareness because we can’t have a repeat of the horrifying event. Maybe Brutus will have some tricks up his sleeve to gain some revenge on Rufus. At least if Brutus decides to strike back, he needs to remember to not hit Rufus with the crown of his Buckeye.
We can’t have Brutus ejected for targeting.
3rd down
Famous Ohio alumni
1) Ed O’Neill
Even though Ed O’Neill didn’t graduated from Ohio University, he was awarded a football scholarship to the school and spent two years there before transferring to Youngstown State O’Neill left the program because he feuded with the coach.
The man who played Al Bundy is one of the most iconic actors of this generation. After his starring role on Married… With Children, O’Neill was able to tap in for his love for football when he starred in Little Giants as a Pop Warner football coach in Ohio. Most recently O’Neill had a starring role on Modern Family.
2) Nancy Cartwright
Just imagine legendary Ohio State radio announcer Paul Keels calling a game with Nancy Cartwright, who is most famous for her voice work on The Simpsons. It would be hilarious to hear Keels try and deal with Cartwright switching Simpsons characters during the broadcast, or possibly trying to imitate some other famous voices. In a game that has the makings of a blowout, it would certainly provide some comic relief.
Much like O’Neill, Cartwright started college at Ohio before leaving following her sophomore year. The Dayton native transferred to UCLA, and the rest is history. In 2012, Cartwright received an honorary doctorate from Ohio University.
3) Mike Schmidt
The most famous athlete to ever attend Ohio University is undoubtedly Mike Schmidt, Hall of Fame third baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies. Schmidt grew up in Dayton before taking his talents to OU. Following his playing career in Athens, Schmidt was drafted in the second round of the 1971 Major League Baseball Draft.
Schmidt would go on to be a 12-time All-Star for the Phillies, winning three MVP awards during his career. The crowning achievement of his time in the big leagues was winning the 1980 World Series, where he was named World Series MVP.
Not only was Schmidt elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995, his number 20 was retired by the Phillies. Schmidt was an eight-time National League home run champ, finishing his career with 548 taters.
& out
Prediction: Ohio State 45, Ohio 10
Go Bucks!
