On Thursday night, Ohio will play Western Michigan for the first time since the 2016 Mid-American Conference Championship Game. Ohio fell 29-23 to then-No. 17 WMU.
Quarterback Greg Windham came off the bench and went 14 of 30 for 214 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver and running back Papi White had two receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown. Ohio almost knocked off WMU but lost in the final minute when Windham was intercepted by Robert Spillane.
That was the last time the Bobcats reached Ford Field in Detroit.
P.J. Fleck won’t be found on the Broncos’ sidelines Thursday; he’s now the coach at Minnesota. Corey Davis, now a wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans, had eight receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown.
The only key player from that game who is still on the Broncos’ roster is Jamauri Bogan, who rushed for 86 yards on 26 carries in the game.
While Thursday won’t be for the MAC title — many of the key characters from that game have departed their respective schools — it will be a final chance at redemption for some Ohio players from two seasons ago.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., and the game can be watched on ESPNU.
I talked to several players and coach Frank Solich about the game and how they’re viewing it.
Safety Kylan Nelson, who had an interception in the game:
“Honestly that word (redemption) came up the other day. It may not even be redemption, but just finishing out the game. I think we played a heck of a game, offensively and defensively, to put us back in a position to come back and win the game. I would use the word finish.
“I’m like, man, we held the 17th-ranked team in the nation to 6 points in the second half. Their record-setting quarterback and wide receiver combo, we shut that down to virtually no touchdowns in the second half.
“I was crouched down on that sideline on the 35-yard line and watching Greg (Windham) throw that interception. I’m on the line of scrimmage. I can see the linebacker (Robert Spillane) just hanging out, just hanging out, then he breaks. He was just sitting there.
“I anticipate having a good, solid win. I anticipate playing a full four quarters of football, have a nice flight home.”
Safety Javon Hagan, who finished the game with a pass breakup:
“We discussed it as a defense, just talking about how we can win the game. I can definitely say it’s a similar offense to what we saw in 2016. It’s not a Corey Davis out there.
“That was one of my favorite games. Out there, playing on the field, in the MAC Championship Game, it was a blessing to be there. I remember most probably is just being there, being in the atmosphere, walking on to the field for the first time, walking down the tunnel. My favorite part was all of it.
“I want to get back and win it.
Solich on the loss, which was his fourth in the MAC Championship Game:
“This year is a year in itself, and that game was a really good football game, we had our chances. There were two really good football teams. That was really in the past.
“These guys have a tendency to look forward. That game was a heartbreaking loss against Cincinnati and we certainly had a huge chance there for a win, and those guys didn't hold onto that. They moved forward.
“There were a couple others, many games have been decided by really close margins. I don't think that has any impact on that football team at all."
Running back Maleek Irons, who finished that game with just eight rushing yards:
“Excited for what this game holds. Traveling up there with a two-game win streak. Starting to try and get on a roll here.
“The exact play I can think about from the MAC Championship (Game) is when Greg (Windham) threw the interception (on the final drive). I kind of went down in a squat position. Not a good feeling. I didn’t cry, but I was very, very disappointed. I have never won a championship. That would’ve been it. I would’ve gotten a big pinky ring. Hopefully we can get one this year.”
