There wasn't anything glamorous about the Ohio 23-7 win over Temple Friday night at Peden Stadium, but for the first time since September the Bobcats have reached the .500 mark.
The Ohio (5-5, 3-3 Mid-American Conference) defense played arguably their best game of the season, dictating play throughout as they allowed a season low in points and yards gained (209) to the Owls (3-6, 3-3 MAC).Temple quarterback Vaughn Charlton never had a chance to get comfortable as Ohio defenders blitzed and blitzed often, sacking the sophomore four times for a loss of 24 yards.
A lot of times we had a man going up there
we were blitzing and holes were opening up said linebacker Lee Renfro who had eight total tackles including 1.5 for a loss of 10 yards. We were reading (Temple's offense) and we were just getting free guys were getting where they were supposed to go.
For another week, the Bobcats were able to establish their running game, gaining 219 yards on the ground. Tailback Kalvin McRae strung together two consecutive 30-yard runs with just over 4 minutes remaining in the second quarter to put the Bobcats up 10-0. Temple answered when Charlton connected with wide receiver Bruce Francis for a 42-yard completion making the score 10-7 at the half.
Starting quarterback Theo Scott who helped the Bobcats gain 204 offensive yards in the first half exited on Ohio's first drive of the third quarter with a pulled groin and did not return. Scott went 7-of-12 for 94 yards. Brad Bower stepped in and was able to pick up where Scott left off, going 7-of-9 for 91 yards as the Bobcats chewed up even more rushing yards.
Shortly after Scott's departure, running back Vince Davidson filled in for McRae who appeared to be having work done on his ankle. Davidson rushed for 47 yards on six carries but the highlight of his performance was his first career touchdown, which came off a 22-yard run in the third quarter to put the Bobcats up 20-7.
Michael Braunstein sealed the final score with his third field goal of the day, his 16th successful attempt of the season, which is a new school record.
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Katie Carrera
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Ohio University's Chris Garrett puts his head down in anticiaption of the hit from Temple's Anthony Ferla during the first half of their game in Peden Stadium Friday, November 2.
