Fueled by 21 unanswered points to start the game, Ohio defeated Akron 49-28 on Friday afternoon at Peden Stadium. The Bobcats entered the game knowing that they wouldn’t make the Mid-American Conference Championship Game no matter the outcome, due to Miami’s win Tuesday against Ball State.
Still, Ohio (8-4, 5-2 MAC) wanted to send its seniors out on a high note, and avenge last season’s loss to Akron. The win improved the Bobcats to 6-0 at home this season, the first time in program history they’ve gone undefeated at home.
Ohio opened up the game with back-to-back passes to Papi White, which put the redshirt senior wide receiver in control of the program’s all-time receiving yard title with 2,467 yards. The drive was capped off by an A.J. Ouellette 6-yard touchdown run.
Nathan Rourke scored three drives later, sneaking it in on fourth and goal. The touchdown was setup by a 15-yard run from Rourke. On the following drive, Kylan Nelson returned an Akron punt 37 yards for a touchdown, the first punt return touchdown for Ohio since 2011.
The three touchdowns gave Ohio an early 21-0 lead.
The Zips didn’t score their first touchdown until the second quarter. Kato Nelson completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Van Edwards. Ohio went three and out the following drive, and Akron put together a 33-yard drive, but missed a 47-yard field goal attempt.
The miss resulted in a seven play, 70-yard drive, which ended with a Ouellette 16-yard touchdown run. On the drive, Ouellette passed the 1,000 yard mark for the second straight season.
At the half, the Bobcats led 28-7.
The Zips (4-7, 2-6 MAC) mounted a strong second half comeback, keeping even with the Bobcats, 21-21. In total, Ohio rushed for 381 yards, with all six of its touchdowns being scored on the ground. It was a fitting end to a senior class that was highlighted by Ouellette and Maleek Irons.
Rourke was 5 of 14 for 87 yards, all of his four touchdowns came on the ground. Ouellette capped off his final game at Peden Stadium with 169 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Bobcats’ defense allowed just 32 rushing yards.
Ohio ends the regular season averaging over 40 points per game.
Although the Bobcats won’t make the MAC Championship Game, they’re bowl eligible and will await to find out where they’ll play. Early indications show the Frisco Bowl or the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, Idaho.
