Ohio did just enough to win its first Mid-American Conference game of the season against Buffalo last week.
The defense improved from its tackling issues that created big problems in nonconference play, and the offense pounded Buffalo’s solid rushing defense with a fierce running game of its own.
The Bobcats are hoping those trends continue against Northern Illinois for their homecoming game Saturday afternoon at Peden Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m.
Below you’ll find a guide to gameday with how to follow along, the depth charts, who has the edge, a reading guide and predictions.
Following along
How to watch: The game can be watched with a subscription on ESPN+. Doug Sherman and John Gregory will be on the call.
How to listen: The game can be heard on the Ohio IMG Sports Network — Russ Eisenstein and Rob Cornelius will be behind the mic. The broadcasts are available online through OhioBobcats.com and TuneIn.com/OhioBobcats.
Depth chart
Three things to watch for
The running game
Ohio rushed for a season-high 47 plays last week against Buffalo. Expect a similar number Saturday.
NIU has the top-ranked passing defense in the Mid-American Conference, so the Bobcats will likely turn to their running backs for the majority of work on offense.
It worked last week when O’Shaan Allison shined with 96 yards and two touchdowns on 27 attempts against Buffalo. Now, he’ll likely split carries with Julian Ross, who could return from an injury he suffered Week 2 against Pitt. That’s a plus for Ohio, who may need even more production from its running backs to beat NIU.
Ohio linebackers
There’s nothing too flashy about NIU’s offense, which is ranked No. 10 in scoring offense in the MAC.
But Ohio’s linebackers will likely face another tough week against the rushing game after Huskies running back Tre Harbison totaled 148 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries last week against Ball State, who have the third best rushing defense in the conference.
If the linebackers can shut down Harbison and NIU’s ground game, they’ll further prove that the defense’s tackling problems in the nonconference season won’t be a trend in the MAC season.
Special teams
The last five games between Ohio and NIU have ended in a one-possession game.
If that’s the case again Saturday, the winner could be whoever performs best on special teams. That was the case for the Bobcats last week when kicker Louie Zervos converted a point-after attempt to seal an overtime win.
Field goals could be pivotal this week, too, and the Huskies have a kicker just as capable as Zervos — John Richardson is 7-of-8 this season and converted on a 46-yarder in Week 2. If the game is close, the field position battle could be a deciding outcome.
The edge
When Ohio has the ball: Allison’s return was critical for Ohio, and now that Ross is slated to return, too, it takes some pressure off quarterback Nathan Rourke to do more. NIU’s fifth-ranked run defense will have stops, but with the consistency in the program, the Bobcats should experience success.
Edge: Ohio
When NIU has the ball: Harbison is looking to build on his big performance from last week and should provide another stiff challenge for Ohio. The Bobcats’ defense performed well against the run last week, and now we’ll see if it can replicate that against NIU.
Edge: Draw
Special teams: Zervos’ game-winning extra point against Buffalo was further proof that with him — and punter Michael Farkas — on the field, Ohio will always have a chance.
Edge: Ohio
Reading guide
- News and notes from Frank Solich's weekly press conference
- 5 fun facts about Northern Illinois University
- Solich and athletic director Julie Cromer's thoughts on the Fair Pay to Play Act
- Stock watch following Ohio's win over Buffalo
- Ohio's student assistants who help act out the play calls
- Northern Illinois preview and scouting report
- Meet Dak Notestine, Ohio's director of strength and conditioning
- The defense's new challenge
Predictions
Sports Editor Anthony Poisal: Ohio’s defense had the rebound game it needed last week against Buffalo, and it should have an easier test against NIU. There’s nothing special about the Huskies, but they’re still capable of beating the Bobcats if they show any regression from last week.
Ohio needs another win to show its improvements last week were real. I think there’s still questions about whether its offense is capable of matching the dominance it showed with Rourke the last two seasons, but it’ll do enough to improve the Bobcats’ conference record to 2-0. Ohio wins 27-24.
Sports Editor Matt Parker: Ohio squeaked by in its MAC opener, but wins are hard to come by, as coaches and players noted throughout the week. The defense, like Anthony mentioned, took a step in the right direction against the Bulls, and I’d expect that production to continue against the Huskies. With Ross’ return to the field, the Bobcats will have their top two backs together for the first time since Week 2. Look for Ohio to lean on its run game a little more than usual, as NIU has one of the best pass defenses in the MAC.
If the Bobcats can pick up where it left off against Buffalo, I’d expect them to have a happy homecoming. Ohio wins 21-17.
