After Toledo shut down the Ohio offense four weeks ago, the sullen faces in the post-game press conference said it all. The group looked beaten, confused and lost.
But a month later, a confident mood has taken over. It can be seen in quarterback Boo Jackson's face and heard through his emphatic words as he describes the group's performance against Akron, an easy 38-10 victory. The unit accumulated 498 yards on the day.
Oh man
we have come leaps and bounds Jackson said. We've had our down days against Toledo and Ohio State but after that
something just clicked.
We're just on a roll, on a tear. I don't know what word describes the progress except for we've made leaps and bounds.
The Bobcats set the tone early as they scored on the first series of the game. Ohio drove ten plays for 74 yards capped off by quarterback Boo Jackson's one-yard touchdown run.
Terrence McCrae caught two passes for 27 yards on the drive. Ohio targeted the receiver early and often as he tied and broke Ohio's al;-time career record for touchdown receptions with 16.
His first summed up the day for the Bobcats. Wide receiver Riley Dunlop took the ball on a reverse and threw up a desperation pass toward the end zone. McCrae out-muscled Akron defenders for the 35-yard touchdown catch.
His record-breaking catch came much easier. Jackson found the receiver left alone in the end zone. After bringing the ball in
McCrae stood triumphantly as the new touchdown reception leader for the Bobcats.
McCrae finished with six receptions and 107 yards.
It hasn't clicked fully yet, McCrae said. Just the thought of it and what it means to the university and to me is really humbling.
Jackson and fellow quarterback Phil Bates hooked up on a 42-yard pass
another desperation play that went right for Ohio. A flustered Bates tossed a deep pass that a falling Jackson tipped before he came down with it.
I just thought there was no chance he'd throw me the ball, Jackson said. I put my hand up just to look cool, and he steps and throws it. I'm just thinking, 'Oh no,' and I was smiling as it came to me. I just tipped it and it landed in my arms.
With Ohio jumping out to an early lead
the Bobcats hardly rotated quarterbacks the way they did last week. Bates threw only one pass and rushed nine times for 84 yards
but did have an impressive 33-yard touchdown scamper in the fourth quarter. Jackson took a majority of the snaps and tied the school's career passing touchdowns record with 29.
It was the same story for the Bobcat defense. Ohio intercepted two Akron passes off of tipped balls. Safety Donovan Fletcher came up with his fifth of the season
while linebacker Jay Edwards brought in the first of his career.
He just finds himself at the right place at the right time, said coach Frank Solich. He's breaking on the ball well so if it's a clean break and there's a chance to pick it, here's there. He's positioned himself well on overthrows and on tips.
The unit brought pressure early
causing quarterback Patrick Nicely to play jittery throughout the game. The Zips finished the first quarter with nine yards and didn't get a first down until the second quarter.
The victory sets up a pivotal Mid-American Conference East matchup against Ohio next week. The RedHawks will come into the game 3-0 in the MAC.
I'm gonna start watching film this Sunday and see what little things I can learn from them, Fletcher said. But I know they're gonna be ready to go.
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60-7,In an offense that usually focuses on running back Tyler Dyla
