Ohio opened its season with a very tight loss in New Jersey on the road against Rutgers. As the Bobcats look ahead to West Virginia, here are five numbers to know from last week’s opener in the Garden State.
1. 5-5
The first number represents the conversion rate of Rutgers on fourth-down attempts throughout the game. This is a painful number for any defense, but especially a new-look Ohio defense that had plenty of opportunities to get off the field on Thursday.
Many of the Rutgers fourth-down conversions led to extended drives, which resulted in some key scores, especially in a game that was decided by just three points.
The most important fourth down came on the last real offensive play of the game. With under two minutes left, Rutgers faced a fourth and seven on Ohio’s 28-yard line as most people expected the Scarlet Knights to kick a field goal to expand the lead to six.
Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano opted to go for it instead, and quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis found DT Sheffield for a first down to ice the game for Rutgers.
2. 20
Just 20 out of Rutgers’ 34 were scored in the red zone Thursday night. Rutgers was very efficient on offense but other area of the team helped out tremendously with the mistakes of the Ohio special teams unit.
The Scarlet Knights blocked a punt in the second quarter and recovered it in the end zone for a score. The other seven points came from a 54-yard touchdown throw to Sheffield in the second quarter, which resulted from a busted coverage.
14 total points that could have been somewhat prevented for Ohio instead turned into points for Rutgers.
3. 6.5
The Ohio rushing attack did not miss a beat from last year, as it put up 6.5 rush yards per carry against a solid Rutgers defense.
Senior Running back Sieh Bangura looked to be at home back in the green and white as he broke off a couple of big plays to get to 86 yards on 16 carries in the game. Parker Navarro picked up where he left off as well, going for 93 yards and a touchdown on just nine carries.
The rushing game was a huge part of Ohio’s offensive identity last season, and it appears to be back again in full force.
4. 332
Ohio’s main man under center was back in a big way on Thursday night, leading the offense to an excellent night as he put up 332 total yards on the night. 232 came from passing the ball, while 93 came on the ground with his legs.
To go along with those 332 yards, Navarro also found the endzone four times, accounting for every Ohio touchdown. For his efforts in week one, he was named the Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Week.
5. 115
With former first-team All-MAC selection Coleman Owen graduating this past year, a hole was left in the slot receiver position for Ohio this season, and junior Chase Hendricks has filled it.
The St. Louis, Missouri native went for 115 yards on nine catches on Thursday, a new career high for the young receiver.
He looked more than comfortable in his new position, and his connection with Navarro was apparent as he looks to have a breakout season.
