Ohio (1-0) squeezed by Howard (0-1) on Saturday with a 38-32 win at Peden Stadium. Quinton Maxwell replaced Nathan Rourke as quarterback at the start of the second quarter, and the special team excelled.
Here’s a look at some of the notable performances from the game:
Stock Up
Quinton Maxwell
Maxwell entered the game at the start of the second quarter, coming in for Nathan Rourke after three series. Two straight series went three and out, but after that a rhythm was finally established in the Bobcats’ offense. Maxwell threw for 233 yards, was 17 of 25 passing and two touchdowns. He added two rushing scores, too. It was what Ohio needed to barely get past Football Championship Subdivision team Howard, 38-32.
Saturday’s play from Maxwell was the most impressive he’s looked since last year’s game against Hampton. It was the most playing time he’s seen since the 2016 season.
Papi White
White set his career-high in receiving yards Saturday with eight receptions for 154 yards and a touchdown catch. If there was a player on offense who needed to step up to help out, White provided that for the Bobcats.
Special Teams
DL Knock’s 99-yard kick return for a touchdown opened the second half with a bang for the Bobcats. It set the tone for the rest of the game. Aside from that, Michael Farkas had four punts for 168 yards, a 42-yard average. He’s been a weapon for Ohio for years now, and this season appears to be no different. Meanwhile, Louie Zervos was 4 for 4 on extra points. Zervos did have the one hiccup of the special teams, though. He clanked a 45-yard field goal off the right upright in the first quarter when the Bobcats were down.
Stock Down
Secondary
The stat sheet shows a pair of Ohio interceptions and a key stop in the closing Howard sequence. But early in the game, the Bobcats secondary was shaky, at best. Without star safety Javon Hagan and cornerback Jamal Hudson, both starters, the Bobcats gave up big plays to the Bison. On the game’s first play, Howard connected on a 59-yard pass that nearly ended in a touchdown but ultimately ended with a fumble recovery by safety Kylan Nelson. Howard quarterback Caylin Newton finished 26 of 52 for 439 yards through the air on the Bobcats defense.
Ohio’s run game
Maybe because of the absence of Nathan Rourke, maybe because Julian Ross was absent, but the Bobcats couldn't establish a rushing attack Saturday. They rushed for 146 yards, but nobody ran for more than 60 yards.
It definitely wasn’t the start coach Frank Solich, a coach who wants his offense to be centric around his running backs, was looking for. Without Rourke, the option wasn’t as effective; Maxwell doesn’t execute the option as well and isn’t as elusive.
“As far as explosive ones, I don't think we had one,” Solich said on explosive runs. “We did have a few eight, nine, or 10 yard runs that kept us going and move it for us a little bit. I think we have an explosive football team we just didn't see it today."
