For a half, it appeared that every offensive record in the Ohio books would be broken.
The Bobcats and Virginia Military Institute rolled up 683 yards of total offense and combined for 55 points in the first half. The teams also combined for 18 plays of 10 yards or more.
The Keydets racked up 203 yards on the ground and answered every Ohio scoring drive until their Wing-T offense slowed in the second half. The Bobcats were able to pull away for a 51-31 win.
In one 43-second stretch, Ohio scored two touchdowns and VMI scored one.
(The Wing-T offense) is an equalizer
coach Frank Solich said. It can be very effective. I didn't think it was going to be exactly easy but I didn't expect them to be running back and forth like that either.
It might have taken them longer than expected, but linebacker Noah Keller and the Bobcat defense were eventually able to contain the Keydets (2-2).
In the second half, the Bobcats (1-4) held VMI to 136 yards and just seven points.
The speed was a little faster than the scouts have been able to show us Keller said. We were being undisciplined on defense at the beginning. I think we got much better toward the end. All the big plays came on blown assignments.
But while the Ohio defense struggled, the offense exploded against the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) defense.
The 575 yards the Bobcats tallied in the game are the fifth most in Ohio history.
Donte Harden became the first Ohio running back to run for more than 100 yards this season when he gained 142 yards on just 20 carries.
Quarterback Boo Jackson threw for 287 yards and had no turnovers.
It's definitely a relief
Jackson said. The last couple of games we've been struggling
and our defense had to pick it up for us. Today we just got a big weight off our back.
Ohio's special teams unit had been a problem for the team throughout the year, but it performed well on Saturday.
Kicker Barrett Way was just 2-of-6 on field goal attempts on the year before the game, but he hit three of his four field goal attempts against VMI. His one miss was a 45- yard attempt.
L.J. Flintall also returned a kick 97 yards for a touchdown.
We thought going in that if we really played well we'd be able to win the special teams battle
Solich said. We needed to have everybody step up and make the special teams work.
The Homecoming win couldn't have come at a better time for the Bobcats.
Not only was it their first win of the year, but it comes before Ohio's three consecutive road games against conference opponents.
It was a boost of morale for us
Jackson said. Now that we got the win
we know how to feel
we don't want to lose again.
INJURIES A CONCERN
After the game Solich said that offensive lineman Gary Schussler and defensive tackle Ernie Hodge would be out for some time.
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