Things were looking good for the Bobcats when they beat Kentucky four weeks ago. It was regarded as the biggest win for the program in four years and gave the team its best five-game start in five years at 3-2.
However, Ohio (3-5 overall, 1-4 Mid-American Conference) has found that fourth win of the season to be elusive. A three-point loss to Marshall was followed by losses to Toledo and Bowling Green by a combined 43 points.
I was most disappointed because I don't know if a few guys have ever totally recovered from Marshall; there were such expectations
Ohio coach Brian Knorr said. We've kind of challenged everyone this week that we're going to snap back.
Kent State (1-6, 0-4 MAC) comes into the game on a five-game losing streak. But the Golden Flashes' record could be deceiving. Of the five losses, Kent State hung close in every game but one, including a 10-point loss to Marshall last week during which the Thundering Herd kicked a field goal in the closing minutes to put a Flashes win out of reach.
Leading the way for Kent State is quarterback Joshua Cribbs, who has held the reins to the offense since his freshman season. Cribbs leads the team in rushing as well as passing and last year rushed for four touchdowns in a 37-33 victory against the Bobcats.
Only hope to contain him can't stop him Ohio free safety Chip Cox said. Just hope to contain him because he's just that good of an athlete. He's probably one of the better athletes in the conference
maybe in the country.
A problem area for Ohio in the last three losses has been the offense, and the Bobcats will face a Kent State defense that is ranked fourth in total defense in the MAC. Running back Justin Roush said the offense just has to settle down and play football.
I think sometimes we try to think too much
he said. We just need to concentrate more and have fun.
Austen Everson and Ryan Hawk have been rotating in and out at quarterback for much of the season. Knorr wouldn't commit to a starter but hinted that Everson might get more playing time this week.
Austen's getting more reps with the ones
he said. So they're both getting reps.
This game is a must win for the Bobcats in order to finish above .500 for the first time since 2000. Next week, Ohio battles winless Central Florida on the road before returning home to face Akron.
It's very important that we win these last three games
Roush said. Things kind of went down hill these past three weeks. That's not because we're a bad team; we're just not playing well
and the good thing is you can change that in a week of practice and a game.
The Bobcats will look to end their three-game losing streak when they battle Kent State at 4 p.m. Saturday at Kent State's Dix Stadium.
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