Sieh Bangura runs the ball during the first half of the MAC Championships against Toledo Rockets at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on December 3, 2022. Score is 7-10 at the half.
Ohio's MAC title drought extends to 55 years with a disappointing loss to Toledo. Ohio scored just seven points and gained only 262 yards. A tragic end to a great season for the Bobcats. Ohio will find out what bowl game it is going to tomorrow.
— Will Cunningham (@willocunningham) December 3, 2022
Ohio 7
Toledo 17
FInal
Despite a tough battle, the Bobcats lose the MAC Championship 17-7.
Ohio will get the ball back on its own 25 yard line with 1:43 to play.
Some Ohio fans have seen enough. With three minutes left to play and Ohio down by 10, some have started to leave Ford Field.
Down by 10 with just over three minutes to play, Ohio had almost no choice but to go for it on 4th and 4. Harris attempted a pass to James Bostic, but it was incomplete. Ohio turned the ball over on downs just outside of its 30 yard line.
After the missed field goal, Toledo started a drive on its own 38 yard line. It went five plays for 11 yards, then punted.
The punt by Johnathon Batzke was stopped at the Ohio two yard line.
Nathanial Vakos attempted a 55-yard field goal, but it was short and no good. Vakos made a 55-yard field goal earlier this season at Western Michigan.
The score remains 17-7 Toledo with 8:15 left to play.
Toledo scores its second touchdown of the game on a 16-yard pass from Finn to DeMeer Blankumsee.
Toledo 17, Ohio 7
10:36 left in the game
Finn just escaped another sack for a decent gain, but Tim Albin is challenging that he was down in the backfield.
— Will Cunningham (@willocunningham) December 3, 2022
After a short review, the ruling on the field is confirmed. Finn was not down, so it is 3rd and 5 for Toledo. Possibly more important, however, is that Ohio loses a timeout and its challenge for the rest of the game.
— Will Cunningham (@willocunningham) December 3, 2022
At the end of the third quarter, Toledo still leads Ohio 10-7. Ohio hasn't struggled this much on offense since Week 3 against Iowa State.
It was Wiglusz's first gain of the day, and it gave Ohio a bit of hope that it could make it downfield and score again. However, Ohio was forced to punt again three plays later.
We're hearing that the fans at Courtside pizza in back in Athens loved that sack by Caesar. The place went crazy and erupted in cheers when Toledo turned the ball over.
Toledo faced 4th down and 4 in the red zone and decided to go for it. On the conversion attempt, Finn was sacked by Kai Caesar, resulting in a turnover on downs. Ohio ball.
Toledo's Jacquez Stuart picked up 48 yards on his latest rush attempt. However, he was injured on the play. Stuart fell to the ground many times after the play but was able to jog off the field.
Dequan Finn is unbelievable. He just evaded about six Ohio defenders to pick up a first down.
— Will Cunningham (@willocunningham) December 3, 2022
Ohio only gains five yards on its first drive and punts for the third time today. Jack Wilson's punt landed at the Toledo 19 yard line for 51 yards.
Ohio will start its first drive of the half on its own 24 yard line.
Harris takes a knee, and the first half comes to an end. The second quarter was much better, but it was not a great half for Ohio, which probably a bit lucky to only trail by 3. The defense got off to a rough start, but has looked great since.
— Will Cunningham (@willocunningham) December 3, 2022
Ohio 7
Toledo 10
Half
At the half, Toledo leads Ohio 10-7.
Both teams are neck-and-neck, making plays on offense and each scoring one touchdown. Both defenses have forced two or more punts as well.
After the Ohio interception, Toledo ran 13 plays for 55 yards. Thomas Cluckey capped off the drive with a 44-yard field goal. Although the Bobcats held the Rockets to a field goal, they took back the lead.
Toledo 10, Ohio 7
16 seconds left in the half
Toledo is moving quickly on offense with the help of three-straight completions from quarterback Dequan Finn. Two of the passes were to Jerjuan Newton, and one was to Jamal Turner.
Harris' pass was intended for Jacoby Jones and intercepted by Nate Bauer at the Toledo 22 yard line.
The Rockets' drive lasted just 39 seconds, and they gained one yard on the three plays.
Sieh Bangura rushes two yards into the endzone for Ohio's first touchdown of the game. Bangura was originally ruled short, but the call was overturned. The PAT from Nathaniel Vakos is good.
Ohio's scoring drive was 14 plays for 84 yards and lasted 7:14.
Ohio 7, Toledo 7
6:47 left in the second quarter
Harris' pass to tight end Will Kacmarek was good for 32 yards.
Ohio is driving downfield, and with the help of the pass, is five yards away from a touchdown.
With the ball on its own 42 yard line, Ohio takes its first timeout of the half.
The Bobcats' current drive has consisted of three plays for 26 yards so far.
The first quarter comes to an end, and it was not the start Ohio wanted. The offense struggled and the defense allowed a touchdown on its first drive. The Bobcats only trail by a touchdown, however, and are by no means out of the game.
— Will Cunningham (@willocunningham) December 3, 2022
Ohio 0
Toledo 7
End 1Q
Toledo still leads 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Ohio earned a first down on its latest drive, but couldn't get past midfield.
Jack Wilson sent Ohio's second punt of the game to the Toledo 15-yard line, but the Rockets will start with the ball on their own 30 after a fair-catch interference penalty on Ohio.
Ohio's Keye Thompson was injured on Toledo's last play and was helped off the field.
Toledo's second drive looked promising, as it was utilizing its run game well once again. However, Finn was called for an illegal forward pass which resulted in a loss of five yards and a loss of downs.
The penalty brought up 3rd down and 15, and Toledo did not get the first down.
Ohio's first drive only lasted three plays, and it gained just six yards after the kickoff return.
Keegan Wilburn gives Ohio great field position with a 41-yard kickoff return on Ohio's first drive.
Jacquez Stuart ran up the middle for 29 yards to earn the first touchdown of the game. The touchdown came after a potential Toledo fumble was ruled as a complete pass. Thomas Cluckey's PAT is good.
Toledo 7, Ohio 0
11:38 left in the first quarter
Ohio, the home team, won the coin loss and has chosen to defer. Toledo will start with the ball. Tristian Vandenberg will kickoff for Ohio.
Ford Field during the MAC Championship on December 3, 2022.
Will and Molly are at Ford Field in Detroit, ready for Ohio and Toledo to face off in the MAC Championship Game. There are still 45 minutes till kickoff, so in the meantime, here's everything you need to know before the game.
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