Ohio will take the field in less than two weeks, with the biggest offseason news being released Saturday, Aug. 22. Confirming what many Bobcat fans expected, graduate student Nick Poulos was named the starter for week one in Lincoln, Nebraska, against the Cornhuskers.
Ohio heads into 2026 with high hopes for this squad and it all starts with first-year head coach John Hauser. He and his staff worked hard this offseason to rebuild a depleted roster while keeping the culture that had brought this program four consecutive seasons of nine or more wins.
“We always tell guys to be who you say you are, Hauser said of the transfers. “I met with all those guys in my office, and they are. We got a lot of team-first guys in that group, so they have really bought into the culture and ran with it.”
The Bobcats looks to keep this streak up this season behind Poulos under center, who looked poised to win the job during camp. After finally getting the tap on the shoulder from Hauser, Ohio’s success will fall on the quarterback's shoulders this year.
Poulos, a California native, is in his third year at Ohio after starting his collegiate career at El Camino Community College. In his college career, he has earned valuable experience behind Ohio star Parker Navarro.
He laid the groundwork for Poulos, but he was always a skilled backup when both missed time in their careers, logging about 300 passing and 200 rushing yards in 12 appearances over the past two years for Ohio while also being responsible for three touchdowns.
Ohio fans should expect the same grit from the Bobcats this season but may see something unfamiliar in Athens: a pocket passer. Navarro brought dynamic skill to the Ohio offense, allowing offensive coordinator Scott Isphording to build an offensive scheme around a run game that included the quarterback.
Over the past two seasons, Navarro ran for over 1,900 yards and 27 touchdowns. Poulos will bring a different ideology to the offensive play-calling, relying on junior Duncan Brune to take on the brunt of the running load. While Poulos can escape the pocket, look for him to look to be pass-first involving receivers like redshirt freshman Preston Bowman, Brune out of the backfield and his tight ends.
Hauser oversaw the defense for the past four seasons, and it has been key to putting together those strong seasons and winning close games late, but now he must coach this team from the top, and that can be challenging; his staff has stepped up around him and Ohio looks poised to compete again despite a tough schedule this season.
Ohio 2026 Schedule
Week 1: at Nebraska
Week 2: vs Jacksonville State
Week 3: at South Alabama
Week 4: vs Stonehill
Week 5: at Kent State
Week 6: vs Central Michigan (Homecoming)
Week 7: at Sacramento State
Week 8: vs Eastern Michigan (Senior Day)
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: at Akron
Week 11: at Miami (OH)
Week 12: vs Ball State
Week 13: vs Toledo
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