In recent years, Ohio has emerged as a premier program in the Mid-American Conference that is built on culture, effort and winning habits. Despite losing a MAC title winning head coach, that culture is as intact as ever, and Thursday’s 34-31 loss on the road against Rutgers was evidence of that.
The Bobcats didn’t look like a team that was happy to be on the field of a Big 10 opponent, looking to get reps against a more talented opponent early in the season. They looked like a team that deserved to win the game.
“They’re not happy that they were just in the game because they're playing a Big 10 team,” Ohio head coach Brian Smith said about his players. “They don't just appreciate that opportunity. They believe they could have and should have won this game.”
The whole game didn’t always look like Ohio should have won the game. However, as the first half was as rocky as it gets for an underdog on the road.
Rutgers came out firing on the first drive of the game, scoring a touchdown with relative ease by moving the ball consistently down the field via the running game.
Ohio answered right back, however, as the offense looked like it hadn’t missed a beat since excelling toward the end of last season. The offense opened showcasing their top players as receiver Chase Hendricks had three catches for 36 yards on the opening drive, and a big run from running back Sieh Bangura set up a short touchdown throw from Parker Navarro to tight end Mason Williams.
The Williams touchdown was the first of three for the tight end position on the game for Ohio, and it was the first of four on the day for Navarro.
On the following drive, Ohio’s brand new defensive front was able to move Rutgers’ Athan Kalikmanis off of his spot by getting pressure, forcing a field goal.
“I know the defensive staff wanted to emphasize being able to put pressure on the quarterback,” Smith said. “When you're playing a team like that, the ability to move guys off their spot, to put pressure on them, is important.”
Ohio would go three and out on the following drive, which gave way for a one-play 54-yard touchdown for Rutgers. The Bobcats would bounce back however, with Navarro and the offense marching down the field and finding the end zone on a wide-open dump-off pass to Jake Bruno, the second tight end to score for Ohio.
“Those guys were open down in the red zone and got in the end zone,” Navarro said. “We (have) got two really good tight ends, and they made some plays.”
Rutgers would go on to score two straight touchdowns however, one after an offensive drive that looked easy as it ran the ball at will and finished the drive with a passing touchdown to KJ Duff, and another on a blocked punt that was recovered for a score after a disastrous play from a special teams unit with a new coordinator, punter and long snapper.
Ohio was able to drive and kick a field goal before the half, giving the team a burst for its opening drive coming out of halftime that ended with Navarro’s third touchdown of the game on a 17-yard QB draw. Navarro was able to use his speed on the play to bring Ohio back within a score of tying the game.
As the offense started to heat up, so did the defense as the new-look unit got its first stop of the game.
“The thing that I liked is they just continued to play hard,” Smith said. “No one quit in the game, no one complained on the sideline, guys didn’t stop playing hard.”
After the stop, the Bobcat offense took full advantage of the opportunity to tie the game as Navarro continued his near flawless play on his fourth touchdown drive of the game.
The senior captain had multiple chunk plays, including a 24-yard throw to Hendricks, a 22-yard run, an incredible 24-yard throw and even better catch from Max Rodarte, and an incredible scramble and throw to Bruno for the second time in the game to score six and tie the game at 31.
Navarro ended the game with 239 yards passing, three passing touchdowns, 93 yards rushing a rushing touchdown as well. It was one of his best career games in one of the biggest moments in his career, and he proved why he was a highly touted returning quarterback.
“Extremely proud of how he played,” Smith said. “He's a special kid. His ability to make plays with his feet, the confidence he has in his own ability, and the faith he has in his teammates is really special. He's fun to coach, and he's fun to be around when he's playing like he is today.”
On the next Rutgers drive, they were able to get into field range to gain the lead back, giving Ohio its first opportunity to take the lead, but the offense stalled out at midfield after a weird exchange between Navarro and Bangura on a play where it looked like Bangura expected the ball, but Navarro kept it and was swallowed up.
With that drive ending without a score, Ohio needed one final stop for one last opportunity to win the game. The defense forced Rutgers into a fourth and seven but the Scarlet Knights converted with a catch from DT Sheffield to ice the game.
The Bobcats fell just short of having an opportunity to tie or win the game, and they showed tremendous fight as they fought their way back into the game. Ohio will look to keep up the high-level effort and play as it welcomes Big 12 opponent West Virginia to Athens for its home opener next Saturday.
