Ohio started Mid-American Conference play with a close road win over Kent State, as the Golden Flashes missed a potential game-tying field goal with less than 20 seconds left. This marked Ohio’s first road win of the season after being 0-2 in away games before this one.
Ohio won because of the return of Duncan Brune, re-energizing the running game, a lot of intensity on defense and great special teams play. The Bobcats return to Peden Stadium this weekend to take on Central Michigan in their Homecoming game.
In preparation for a big week in Athens, Ohio Head Coach John Hauser sat down with the media to break down the game against Kent State and look ahead to the Chippewas.
Duncan Brune’s Impactful Return to the Offense
For the second straight week, Ohio has been very effective on the ground. This came after the Bobcats struggled running the ball through the first three weeks. While the run game struggled early in the season, things got harder as captain running back Duncan Brune left with an injury.
This past weekend at Kent State, Duncan Brune returned and immediately created an impact. Brune rushed for a season-high 86 yards while taking the majority of the load with 18 carries. Ohio as a whole ended up rushing for 181 yards, which was over 70% of its total offense.
“Having Duncan from a lot of aspects, not just the run game, but the passing game,” Hauser said. “He’s also solid in protection. He did a great job blocking on some of the runs. Duncan’s just a steady force, and it’s good to get him back out there. He made some big plays, and he’ll keep getting better too."
Brune's return helped the offense as a whole. While graduate captain quarterback Nick Poulos is still out, it was good for Ohio’s less experienced quarterbacks, junior Matt Vezza and Freshman Levi Davis, to rely on the running game. Vezza and Davis combined for just 72 passing yards and only 14 passing attempts, and the Bobcats were still able to edge out the win.
Special Teams
Ohio’s efforts on special teams could very well have been the difference between winning and losing against Kent State. Both the offense and the defense performed very well, but the special teams are the unsung hero of this tight win.
The special teams started strong with redshirt-sophomore safety Caleb Chamberlain blocking Kent State's punt on its first drive of the game. This set Ohio up in great field position as they got the first points of the game on a field goal.
“When you block a punt, your chance of winning goes way higher,” Hauser said. “It was a great scheme by Coach Cavanaugh. It was great execution by Caleb Chamberlain.”
Later in the game, captain linebacker Jack Fries got a hand on a field goal attempt and blocked it. This field goal attempt would have tied the game late in the fourth quarter. Even later in the game, the Golden Flashes got another chance to tie it with a field goal; this time it would have sent the game to overtime. Ohio’s special teams were able to get pressure on the kick and force Kent State’s kicker Sean Leonard to miss it wide right.
“The field goal at the end of the game went our way,” Hauser said. “There was great penetration by our field goal block team. Jack Fries blocked the one earlier, and then he was in that window again the second time. So, that was huge.”
Hauser had a lot of praise for Ohio’s special teams coordinator Blair Cavanaugh after the special teams performance against the Golden Flashes.
“I think coach Cavanaugh has done a great job of getting everybody to play hard,” Hauser said. “He gets to coach offensive/defensive guys, and his room of specialists. So, great job by him of getting buy-in from all of our players.”
Defensive Intensity and Minimizing Mistakes
The Ohio defense has fired to life over the past two games, forcing a pair of turnovers against Kent State and allowing negative 1 rush yards against Stonehill. The group also only allowed 17 points over that period. Confidence and Intensity as a unit have grown as this young core has gotten more snaps together.
“There's been continuous improvement,” Hauser said. “We don't have a ton of guys that have played a ton of football together on that side of the ball. I think it's just time and reps, and a combination of settling in, and then really just a good plan too by the defensive staff of containing that quarterback and stopping the run.”
The only real achilles heel to a hot defense is unforced mistakes. Penalties and defensive breakdowns can take a great drive and throw it away in seconds, something that Hauser and his staff have been working to avoid all season, and his group has responded well so far.
“The penalties, the self-imposed stuff is what we're trying to control more,” Hauser said.
Homecoming
Hauser and the Bobcats won 15 straight games on Frank Solich Field, and this weekend, Ohio students will join alumni for the Homecoming Game as the Bobcats try to keep the winning streak rolling in Athens. Ohio’s grit and culture have built up the tenacity to defend Peden Stadium, and the fans have played a huge role in crucial moments.
“We know our crowd, our alumni, is a huge advantage for us at home, and we're very appreciative of that,” Hauser said.
Former Ohio players and football representatives return each year for this weekend and leave behind knowledge for current Bobcats, whether that be experience in the future of football or beyond. Hauser wants his group to take it all in, but the main focus will still always be on the field.
“That's why they're successful in life and the stuff that they did here, and just that's what we're trying to teach our players as well,” Hauser said about the experiences with alumni. “Football can teach you a lot of things to be successful in life, and then when you get people to come back, it's very apparent they're saying the same thing. It's great for our guys to see that as well.”
