Whew, exhilarating!
This is MACtion at its very best.
In a matchup with major MAC title implications to kick off weeknight #MACtion, the Ohio Bobcats (6-3, 4-1 MAC), behind a raucous home crowd shadowed
in black clothing, bested the Miami RedHawks (5-4, 4-1) by a final score of 24-20 in a tough, physical rivalry battle.
The game started as a defensive struggle, but evolved into a scoring bonanza in the second half.
Early in the first quarter, Miami likely looked to have something cooking when a punt pinned Ohio at their own one-yard line— but good blocking by the offensive line and hard running by halfback Sieh Bangura helped flip the field after picking up 33 yards. The drive ended in a punt, but the burst portended what was to come later on.
With one minute remaining in the first, it looked like Ohio had six points on a bomb from Parker Navarro to wideout Chase Hendricks, but Miami safety Eli Coppess, in single coverage, made an all-star caliber play to strip the ball away from Hendricks for the interception as they both tumbled into the end zone.
Miami was not able to capitalize on the momentum, as Ohio’s defense held the RedHawks offense to another three-and-out. By quarter’s end, the Ohio defense limited the RedHawks to just 40 total yards.
Defensive superiority was the name of the game going into the second quarter as well, with six punts on the first seven drives between both teams.
As the first half wound down however, with the score tied at zero, the best drive by Miami and an amazing goal line stand by the home team ensued.
It started when Miami finally found some offensive rhythm, with quarterback Dequan Finn finding wideout Cole Weaver for three receptions and run lanes starting to open up as a result. The RedHawk effort brought the ball to the Ohio two yard-line for a first-and-goal scenario.
Back against the wall, Ohio’s defense stonewalled Miami on three-straight runs, putting the visitors into a quandry. Miami opted to go for it on fourth-and-two— but a false start cost the visitors five yards. Dom Dzioban trotted out for a short 23-yard field goal to give Miami the first points of the contest.
However, with two minutes to go, the RedHawks sent the ensuing kickoff out of bounds, giving Ohio good starting field position at the 35-yard line. The ‘Cats capitalized in significant fashion, moving the ball quickly to attempt a field goal. Miami called a timeout in an attempt to freeze placekicker David Dellenbach, but the ice turned out to be in the Ohio kicker’s veins, as he calmly drilled a 35-yarder to tie the score at three at the half.
What had been a field position battle dictated by clutch defense in the first half changed completely in the second half, with both teams unleashing the scoring fireworks.
The RedHawks created the first big play of the third quarter when linebacker Corbin Hondru forced a fumble on a Navarro pass attempt, recovering the ball himself at the Ohio 29-yard line.
Yet, as they had done all night, the Bobcats’ defense stood tall, forcing Miami to settle once again for a Dzioban field goal— this time from 46 yards out— to take a 6-3 lead.
Despite the attacking defense by Hondru and the RedHawks, it felt like Ohio’s offense was close to a breakthrough— which happened on the next drive to take a 10-6 lead. The scoring drive was a good mix of run and pass, led by Sieh Bangura and the run blockers. Bangura finished off the 75-yard touchdown drive on a 22-yard jailbreak for six. Right tackle Jordon Jones was key on the drive at the point of attack, with a pull block on the first run followed by a wash-down of the defender to create the hole on the Bangura score.
The back-and-forth continued fast and furious after the Ohio touchdown, with Miami’s offense striking for six on a four-yard pass from Finn to Braylon Isom. Yet, in possibly the shortest-lived momentum bump in the history of college football, Miami surrendered the lead on the ensuing kickoff.
Sieh Bangura, on kickoff return team for perhaps the first time all year, fielded the kickoff, faked a reverse, then took the ball to the house for a 97-yard score and a 17-13 lead.
With teams scoring at will at this point, the RedHawks returned the favor. Perhaps sensing that Ohio was gaining offensive momentum, Miami went for it on fourth-and-nine at Ohio’s 27-yard line, instead of settling for a field goal, and reaped the rewards when Finn found wideout Kam Perry behind the coverage for a 27-yard touchdown.
The apex of the affair happened in part on a critical error by Miami. Trailing on the scoreboard and staring in the face of a third-and-long, Parker Navarro was on the scramble attempting to avoid a sack after facing pressure from several white jerseys. While the ‘Cats had used eight lives in the process of the play, they found a ninth life when a facemask call on Miami gave the home team a first down.
The Bobcats parlayed the good fortune into a backbreaking score, taking a 24-20 lead when a scrambling Navarro hit Rodney Harris II on a schoolyard 49-yard touchdown.
Down by four with two minutes remaining, the RedHawks got off to a solid start when Finn hit wideout Isom for a 27-yarder to push the ball near midfield. Miami would attempt to go to the flats once again for a quick pass play, but Ohio nickelback Jalen Thomeson was ready for the play, jumping the route and picking the pass off on a diving stab of an interception to seal the game for good.
The interception was reviewed but upheld and, fans exhausted, Ohio ran out the clock for the win.
NOTES
It is a shame someone had to lose this game, as it was so well contested by both teams.
The loss was Miami’s first regular season defeat in its last 12 MAC games.
RedHawks defense was highly effective in controlling Navarro at times in the run and pass game with timely pressure. Among others, linebacker Corbin Hondru played an excellent game with 17 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Ohio’s home win on the field known as “The Frank” was its 12th straight and they now move to 22-1 all time on the home field named in honor of the former head coach Frank Solich.
Ohio’s defense was truly masterful tonight with two major objectives achieved: limiting explosive damage by RedHawk wideout Kam Perry and containing Dequan Finn’s devastating scrambling ability. Ohio held Perry to one explosive on the 27-yard touchdown and Finn to a harmless 11 total yards rushing. We’ll leave it to the coaches to grade performance, but linebackers stood out for the Bobbies, including freshman linebacker Charlie Christopher and Jack Fries. The interior defensive line rose up at critical times with players like Pius Odjugo making critical contributions.
Offensively, Sieh Bangura was a catalyst to victory with his typical hard running style and explosive plays. The Bobcat back recorded his fourth 100-yard rushing effort in five games, while adding the kickoff return touchdown and three receptions.
Safe to say at this point that Ohio wideout Rodney Harris II has elevated his game this year and is a key piece in the Bobcats’ success. Harris II is just reliable in everything he does. He run blocks and rarely drops the ball.
Ohio’s home crowd was clutch in the victory. Not only did they wear black gear to mimic the home team’s uniforms, but they were loud in support of their Bobbies.
No rest for either team this week, as Ohio travels to Western Michigan next Tuesday for a game scheduled for kickoff at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, while Miami returns home to tangle with the always dangerous Toledo Rockets next Wednesday at 7 p.m. Eastern time.
