Ohio's first offensive possession Saturday at Missouri summed up perfectly what type of day it would be for the Bobcats.
The Bobcats looked like they had recovered from last week's offensive struggles after a fumble recovery gave them control of the ball in Tigers' territory, and they advanced the ball all the way to the Missouri 10-yard line.
However, a fumble, a sack and an incomplete pass would force Ohio to attempt a 38-yard field goal, which was subsequently blocked. Three plays later, Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel connected with Will Franklin for a 68-yard touchdown strike, the first of many scores en route to a 31-6 victory over the Bobcats.
When you have good play opportunities
you've got to make them Ohio coach Frank Solich said. We did not make them.
Even when it looked as if Ohio (2-2, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) was going to tie the score early in the second quarter on an 8-yard Austen Everson touchdown pass to tight end Thomas Christy, a blocked extra point made the score only 7-6. With the Tigers up 14-6, kicker Matt Lasher also missed a 45-yard attempt at the end of the first half.
Going into halftime it would have been something like 14-13 had I made all my kicks Lasher said. It definitely played into their advantage. They're just kicks I've got to make.
As the game went on
we wore down
Solich explained. You can't let those kind of points go by against a good football team and expect it not hurt you in the end.
After allowing the Bobcats to accumulate 157 yards of total offense in the first half, the Tigers (4-0) showed why they came into the game as the No. 2 defense in the country, limiting Ohio to just 31 yards in the second half. Controlling the ball for the majority of the second half, Missouri was able to wear down Ohio's defense for two touchdowns and a field goal.
We were able to move the ball early...the things we were doing early were working
Everson said. The turnovers
blocked kicks and penalties hurt us all day ' mistakes that we need to cut out.
Ohio turned the ball over twice Saturday and had 10 penalties.Everson finished the day 13-of-23 for 110 yards passing and 14 yards rushing. Running back Kalvin McRae, who carried the ball only twice in the second half, finished with 25 rushing yards and a team-high 43 receiving yards. His six receptions were a career high.
Cornerback T.J. Wright continued his steady play for the 'Cats, recording six tackles and grabbing his team-leading second interception of the season. Linebacker Matt Muncy led all Bobcats with eight tackles, three for negative yards.
Daniel led the Tigers, throwing for two touchdowns and running for one while accumulating 302 yards of total offense. Missouri running back Tony Temple, who came into the game as the 11th-best running back in the country, was held to 74 yards on 15 carries, a lone bright spot for the Bobcats on Saturday.
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Andrew Gribble
