When Ohio needs a win, it seems all they have to do is come home. That, and give the ball to running back Kalvin McRae.
The Bobcats finally were able to put all the pieces together - offense, defense, special teams - and extend their home winning streak to three with a 38-21 Homecoming victory over Ball State.
Running without his usual partner, Voncarie Owens, McRae thrived in the role of lone back. He came within 18 yards of breaking Ohio's single-game rushing record, carrying the ball 29 times for 264 yards, a career-high and the third-highest single-game total in Ohio history.
He did a lot of good things one-on-one
coach Frank Solich said. He made people miss. He ran hard after contact. He's got really good vision really good quickness and all of that comes into play.
My main goal is to go out and make plays for the offense and for this team
McRae said. I knew the yardage would come because our offensive line did a great job. The receivers did a good job on the edge as well ... I was just focused and making the best out of opportunities that I could.
Aided by McRae's career day, Ohio finished with 414 yards on the ground and four rushing touchdowns.
The defense came up big as well, recovering two fumbles and recording three sacks. Linebacker Matt Muncy continued to dominate the opposition, sacking Cardinal quarterback Joey Lynch twice and recovering a Lynch fumble in the second quarter.
Everyone just has to want to be that guy to make the play
Muncy said. You've got to do your job and make sure you're sound and everything. Once you can get to the ball that's a great feeling. It's just great as a whole team
we play well together and everyone is out there making plays.
Making plays and sustaining drives has been a problem for the Bobcats, but with the help of McRae's runs to pace the offense, the quarterback duo of Austen Everson and Brandon Jones was able to effectively navigate drives down the field.
On Ohio's third possession, the Bobcats went 77 yards - 68 of which came on runs by McRae including a 39-yard burst into Ball State territory - to the Cardinals' 21 yard-line. There, in what has been a rare occurrence for Ohio this season, punter-kicker Matthew Miller hit a 39-yard field goal, giving the Bobcats an early 3-0 lead.
Miller also converted every extra point attempt. After the game, Solich said that Miller's performance earned him the starting kicker position, and Miller is comfortable with his new role.
It's a lot of fun
Miller said. It feels good to put points on the board after a long drive like the one today. It feels good to knock it through.
For weeks, Solich has been emphasizing the need for his players to convert on big plays while containing the explosiveness of their opponents. The Bobcats made good use of the big play to score 28 points and increase their lead in the second quarter. After Ball State's Dante Love returned a kickoff for a touchdown, Ohio return man Scott Mayle responded with an 88-yard TD return of his own on the ensuing kickoff for the first kickoff return for a touchdown of his career.
It felt really good because we've been close a few times this year
Mayle said. I just set it up like coach told me. There was a big seam
and I ran through. It was just two guys to beat right there on the sideline
and I just outran them.
Never can I recall back-to-back kickoff returns
Solich said.
And the Bobcats were not done yet. The Cardinals were forced to punt on their next possession, and after a touchback Ohio had the ball on Ball State's 20. On the first play, wide receiver Justin Fitzgerald took an end-around handoff from quarterback Brandon Jones and blew past the Ball State defense, going 80 yards for a touchdown.
I think it's good that we can score points from anywhere
