KENT, Ohio - The Bobcat football team hung on in the final minutes of the game to preserve a 26-19 victory over MAC-foe Kent State (1-6, 0-3). Ohio (2-5, 1-2) earned its first road win of the year and increased its series lead over the Golden Flashes to 38-21-2. The Bobcats spoiled Kent State's Homecoming at Dix Stadium and nabbed the 487th win in program history.
Ohio was coming off a 41-20 loss at Western Michigan last weekend, while Kent State suffered a tough loss, 30-27, in a double-overtime contest to arch-rival Akron at home.
Junior quarterback Boo Jackson (Gardena, Calif.) led Ohio to the game's first score with a nine-yard rush into the end zone, capping a 14-play, 88-yard drive for the Bobcats. Senior Barrett Way's (Richmond, Va.) extra-point made the score 7-0.
Kent State responded with a touchdown on their next possession off an eight-yard run by senior quarterback Julian Edelman. The Golden Flashes missed the extra-point wide right, making the score 7-6 in favor of Ohio with just over a minute remaining in the first quarter.
After another sustained drive of 59 yards, Ohio's Chris Garrett (Bristow, Va.) scored the Bobcats' second touchdown of the game with a six-yard rush for his second touchdown of the season. That score by the junior running back increased Ohio's lead to 14-6 early in the second quarter.
Kent State answered quickly on their next play from scrimmage with a touchdown on an 82-yard catch by senior wide receiver Shawn Bayes from Edelman, narrowing the Ohio lead to 14-13.
On the Bobcats' ensuing possession, Jackson fumbled the ball for Ohio's second turnover of the day. Kent State mounted a drive, but Edelman was sacked on fourth down in Ohio territory, giving the ball back to Ohio's offense.
That defensive stop led to a 52-yard Ohio drive, highlighted by a 42-yard field goal by Way, his sixth of the season, putting the Bobcats ahead 17-13 just before halftime.
Two personal fouls by Ohio on Kent State's drive with under a minute to play led to a field goal try by the Golden Flashes, but senior cornerback Mark Parson (Richmond, Va.) blocked the attempt, getting the Bobcats into the locker room with a four-point advantage. That was the first blocked field goal for Ohio since 2003 against Akron.
Kent State began with the ball in the second half, but that drive was abruptly stopped on an interception by Parson, who returned the ball 60 yards to the Kent State 25-yard line. The turnover led to Barrett Way's second field goal of the game, this time a 47-yarder, to up the Ohio lead to 20-13 in the middle of the third quarter. The kick marked Way's seventh of the season and is also his career-long.
The next possession by the Golden Flashes saw them attempt a fake punt on fourth and one, but the Ohio defense was not fooled. Sophomore Shannon Ballard (Miami, Fla.) made the tackle, giving the Bobcats the ball on Kent State's 39-yard line.
Ohio's ensuing possession resulted in a turnover on downs, as a fourth and five attempt was unsuccessful. The Golden Flashes were unable to capitalize, however, as they punted the ball back to Ohio after three plays.
The next Bobcat drive was highlighted by a 40-yard pitch and catch from Jackson to junior Brandon Peterson (Gaithersburg, Md.) to the Kent State eight-yard line at the end of the third quarter. On fourth and goal, the Bobcats opted to kick a field goal, and Way's third attempt of the day was good from 23 yards, stretching Ohio's lead to 23-13 early in the fourth quarter.
Another turnover by the Golden Flashes gave the Bobcats the ball back when junior linebacker Lee Renfro (Burnside, Ky.) forced a fumble and recovered it at Ohio's 48-yard line. The Bobcats drove to Kent State's 20-yard line, and Barrett Way remained perfect on the day with a 37-yard field goal, giving Ohio a 26-13 lead with just under seven minutes to play. That field goal, Way's fourth of the contest, set a school record for field goals in a game.
Kent State then put together a 63-yard drive, capped by a nine-yard rush from Edelman for a touchdown, to bring the Golden Flashes within a touchdown. Kicker Will Kandray missed his second extra-point of the day, leaving the score 26-19 for the Bobcats with under five minutes to play.
The next possession for Ohio resulted in Matt Schulte's (Cincinnati, Ohio) first punt of the day, giving Kent State the ball with about two minutes remaining at their 26-yard line. The final attempt to tie the game was denied by sophomore linebacker Noah Keller (Kearney, Neb.), as he intercepted Edelman's pass on fourth down to seal the win for Ohio. That play marked Keller's first-career interception.
Ohio's Boo Jackson ended the day 16-26 for 203 yards with one interception. Redshirt-freshman Donte Harden (Erie, Pa.) led the rushing attack with 115 yards on the ground off 23 carries. Chris Garrett added 62 yards and a touchdown. Senior tight end Andrew Mooney (Lubbock, Texas) led Ohio's receivers with 42 yards on four receptions. Sophomore wide receiver Terrence McCrae (Vanderbilt, Pa.) set career-highs in receptions and receiving yards, making three catches for 31 yards. Brandon Peterson also tied his career-high in receiving yards with 46 on two grabs, while sophomore LaVon Brazill (Lantana, Fla.) tallied 44 yards through the air.
Lee Renfro led the Bobcat defense with 11 total tackles, a tackle for loss, and a forced fumble and the recovery. Senior defensive lineman Jameson Hartke (Centerville, Ohio) contributed four tackles, including two tackles for loss.
In all, the stats were nearly even, as the Bobcats racked up 379 total yards to Kent State's 392. Both teams notched 23 first downs, and Ohio won the turnover battle with two to the Golden Flashes' three. Receiver Shawn Bayes had a big day for Kent State, totaling 141 yards on five receptions, including one touchdown. Julian Edelman finished the day 15-25 for 200 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Ohio will take the field again on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at the Temple Owls at 8 p.m. ET. The contest at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia can be seen on ESPN2.
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