Despite a very strong start to the second half, Ohio (1-2) couldn’t overcome its injury problems as the Bobcats dropped their final road game before conference play against South Alabama (2-1) 41-36.
Ohio was without both of its offensive captains headed into the game, as both graduate student quarterback Nick Poulos and junior running back Duncan Brune were injured in the win over Jacksonville State last weekend.
Junior quarterback Matt Vezza got the start against the Jaguars after a promising performance the week before.
South Alabama struck first after starting with the ball and marching down the field with the help of a long passing play to set up an easy rushing touchdown to go up 7-0.
Ohio answered fairly quickly with Vezza leading a great drive down the field with a few big third down conversions. Vezza capped off the drive with a touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Riley Neer to tie the game up.
The Jaguars offense continued to rip through Ohio’s defense as quarterback Jared Hollins connected with Rod Gibbs for an impressive fourth-and-one touchdown from 34 yards out to make it 14-7.
Ohio’s injury and defensive woes worsened as one of Ohio’s captains, redshirt junior DJ Walker, exited the game with a right calf/ankle injury on that drive.
Vezza started the second quarter with a tough interception due to good pressure by the defense. The Jaguars would get 15 yards tacked on to that due to an unsportsmanlike conduct committed by Ohio’s defense.
Two plays later, South Alabama’s Trae’von Dunbar took it to the house on a 30-yard rush right up the middle to put the Jaguars up two scores over Ohio.
After putting together a promising drive in an attempt to bring it back to a one-score game and get some momentum back, the Bobcats fumbled the ball on third-and-goal at the one yard line, wasting a very promising situation.
The Jaguars ended a long and methodical drive with a field goal to put them up by 17 points to end the half. Ohio looked completely defeated while trailing 24-7.
Ohio’s opening drive of the second half was a beauty as the Bobcats marched down the field and ended the drive with a 33-yard rushing touchdown from senior running back Victor Rosa who was getting the start due to Brune’s injury.
The Bobcats defense started to feel that momentum created by the offense as they forced South Alabama to punt the ball for the first time in the game, giving the offense a chance to bring it within one score.
Just a few plays later, Vezza scored on a pass to Riley Neer for Neer’s second touchdown of the game to make it a three point game.
On the following drive, the Jaguars punched it in from a yard out after a long connection through the air to reclaim some momentum and go back up by 10 points.
After both teams traded punts, South Alabama delivered the dagger touchdown to go back up by 17 with just 10 minutes remaining in the game.
Ohio brought in freshman quarterback Levi Davis to get some experience and finish the game for Ohio. Davis led a good touchdown drive but it was too late for an Ohio rally.
The Bobcats defense continued to struggle this season as they allowed 41 points. This defensive collapse mainly came from Ohio’s running defense that has still been a big weak spot as it allowed 266 rushing yards.
Ohio will try and get healthy this week headed into its final non-conference game in Peden against Stonehill College.
