Ohio started Saturday’s game against Western Michigan doing everything it needed to finish with a victory.
The Bobcats forced a turnover in the first quarter when junior cornerback Brett Layton intercepted a pass and followed with a Daz Patterson touchdown rush on the next play to get on the scoreboard first.
That momentum went away quickly, however, and the Broncos controlled the pace for the remainder of the game on their way to a 42-21 victory Saturday in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Despite winning the turnover margin 3-2, Ohio was unable to capitalize on its next two recoveries or contain Western Michigan’s running back Jarvion Franklin, who finished with 344 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 35 attempts. He leads the NCAA with 19 rushing touchdowns this season.
While the defense was having troubles stopping Franklin’s rushing attack, the offense couldn’t establish a rhythm. Redshirt sophomore JD Sprague started his fifth-straight game but left in the second quarter with an injury after being sacked. Derrius Vick, who hadn’t played since Sept. 20, came into the game in relief but couldn’t provide enough of a spark for a comeback after Western Michigan led 28-7 at the half.
Vick completed 18 of 31 passes for 246 yards despite sitting out almost five total games, but suffered six sacks that halted drives. He also connected with wide receiver Chase Cochran for a 66-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, but without an established running game he couldn’t find success. Cochran was Ohio’s number one target, as he received 110 yards — more than double of any other individual Bobcats wide out,
Freshman running back A.J. Ouellette didn’t play because of a lingering ankle injury, so junior Daz Patterson was the lone rusher to gain more than 12 yards. He finished with 56 yards, plus his first-quarter touchdown.
Although the Bobcats couldn’t win their first meeting against the Broncos with 2008, they were able to limit their penalties after two weeks of committing double-digit penalties. Ohio was flagged just six times for 48 yards.
With the loss Ohio has fallen below .500 again and with three MAC losses it isn’t likely it will find itself in competing for a MAC Championship.
@chadlindskog
cl027410@ohio.edu
