After managing just 243 yards rushing through the first three games, Ohio racked up 373 yards on the ground against Kent State.
Kalvin McRae, who came into Saturday's game with 100 yards rushing on 29 attempts, lit up the Golden Flashes' defense for 200 yards on 28 carries. His partner in the backfield, Voncarie Owens, added 139 of his own, including a 75-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
We came in the first three games playing some really tough defenses
McRae said. They were able to stop the run and we had to pass a little bit more. I think from the running back's perspective it's just good to know that we're capable of running the ball that many times on offense and getting the amount of yards that we got. It was a real confidence boost er for us.
I thought there were a combination of reasons we were able to run the ball well
coach Frank Solich said. You don't have a chance to run well if your up-front people aren't getting things done
and I thought they had a good day as far as blocking. The backs I thought ran hard and at times made big plays when they were given opportunities. We worked hard at trying to have a good running game this game and went into the game committing ourselves to it
and it played out pretty well for us.
Bobcats commit thievery
The Bobcat defense continued to harass opposing quarterbacks, with Kent State's Michael Machen and Jon Brown as the latest victims.
The two were intercepted six times, tying an Ohio record last achieved in 1982. Linebackers Matt Muncy and Tyler Russ and safeties Michael Brown and Tony Ward all had one pick each, and cornerback Dion Byrum added two. When you play against a team that throws the ball 50-plus times
you're going to have your opportunities
Byrum said. We expect to play that way. We practice like that all week. We preach turnovers.
It is an instinctive group
Solich said, and they do a very good job of breaking on the ball and being around the ball ... and I think we're doing that to the maximum. Those six turnovers ... were definitely needed.
MAC player of the week
Following his performance Saturday, Byrum was named the Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week for the second time this season. He now is tied for second in the nation with four interceptions and is the only player to have returned two interceptions for touchdowns.
Time for some R&R
The Bobcats get a break this weekend before heading to Bowling Green on Oct. 9. Solich said the team will appreciate the opportunity to recharge after a strenuous start to the season.
This is the fourth game in a row now that we've played hard
he said. I think the break is coming at a good time for us. We're wore down a little bit; we're going to give them some time off ... It's probably good for them to get away from me and the staff a little bit. We've been riding them pretty hard.
The players will get a hiatus from practice this weekend, and the coaching staff will split its downtime between recruiting and preparing for Bowling Green.
