Following the public embarrassment surrounding Ohio University's mascot after a Sept. 8 incident in Columbus, the university decided to not bring the Rufus and the cheerleaders to last Saturday's game at Marshall.
Neither the cheerleading squad nor Rufus will travel to Saturday's game at Eastern Michigan either, said Jason Corriher, Director of Media Relations.
Their absence Saturday can be attributed largely to the department's effort in keeping the focus of the game on the field
Corriher said.
The cheerleaders and mascot might not have traveled for the Eastern Michigan game regardless of the situation. Corriher said in the statement that they do not attend every road game of the year.
Before the Bobcats contest against the Buckeyes Sept. 8, Brandon Hanning, dressed as Rufus, sprinted across the field and tackled Brutus, Ohio State's mascot.
Brutus slipped through the original tackle, but Hanning followed him into the end zone where he was able to take him down.
Hanning is currently a student at Hocking College. He was enrolled at Ohio last year when he tried out for the position but dropped out before the start of this quarter.
Both the cheerleaders and Rufus will be back Oct. 9 when the Bobcats take the field against Bowling Green on Parents' Weekend.
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Noah Meyers
