KENT-In a game in which Ohio needed a win to extend its season, it reverted back to an unsuccessful, early-season form.
The Bobcats never recovered from a poor start and lost their final regular season game to Kent State, 28-6, Friday at Dix Stadium in Kent.
They prepared better than we did
wide receiver Riley Dunlop said. They came out with more momentum and they showed that they deserved that win.
Ohio (8-4, 6-2 Mid-American Conference) never looked like the team that hadn't lost in two months and had won eight consecutive road MAC games. After a 13-play, 48-yard drive - their longest on the day - to begin the game, Matt Weller's 37-yard field goal was blocked. The Bobcats got the ball back after a punt, but Boo Jackson fumbled in the end zone and Kent State (5-7, 4-4 MAC) recovered it for an early 7-0 lead.
The Bobcats gained only 183 yards of total offense and averaged 2.9 yards per play. They were held without a touchdown for the first time all season, and quarterback Boo Jackson was sacked seven times.
It was just a frustrating day for us offensively coach Frank Solich said. They've got an excellent defensive front. They penetrate well and we weren't able to keep them from penetrating and that causes huge problems throughout the game.
Miscues weren't limited to offensive execution. The Bobcats had two failed fake punt attempts, four turnovers and dropped two would-be first down catches in Kent State territory.
Jackson fumbled three times, lost two of them and threw two interceptions. He refused to show up to the post-game news conference.
I wouldn't put any of (the offensive struggles) all on him
Dunlop said. We didn't execute in all areas. Up front
we struggled. On the perimeter we struggled just blocking anything. We gotta protect the ball better
that's what we do on offense.
I guess they just came out with more fire and we were playing flat, and it showed.
Ohio had a chance in the second half. After facing a 14-3 deficit going into the break
the Bobcats forced a punt on the opening drive of the third quarter and Travis Carrie returned it to the Kent State 19-yard line. The Bobcats drove to the 3-yard line but had to settle for a field goal. The score remained 14-6 until Kent State scored two touchdowns after two fourth-quarter turnovers to finish off Ohio.
That was disheartening, I'm sure, for our players to not be able to score, Solich said. We've been doing a great job down in the red zone by putting touchdowns on the board. When we got down there and weren't able to do that, that was kind of tough for us.
The loss ended Ohio's seven-game winning streak and cost the Bobcats the Mid-American East Division title. A win would have clinched the division for the Bobcats
but instead Miami (8-4
7-1 MAC) will represent the East in the conference championship against Northern Illinois Dec. 3 in Detroit.
In life there are certain setbacks you have, and you have to learn from it, said safety and senior captain Donovan Fletcher. To have that taken away from me, it just happened. I'm still in disbelief right now.
The Bobcats might have lost out on one of the MAC's three guaranteed postseason bowl games. Both division winners clinched a bowl game
and Toledo has one MAC loss and beat Ohio
20-13
