The Ohio football team remained undefeated on the season after defeating Mid-American Conference rival Buffalo, 38-31, at home on Saturday.
Junior quarterback Tyler Tettleton led the Bobcats (6-0, 2-0 MAC) past the Bulls (1-4, 0-2 MAC) with 183 passing yards and one touchdown in a game that saw an opportunistic Ohio offense capitalize on multiple turnovers by Buffalo. The Bobcats’ defense forced four fumbles in the contest.
Buffalo jumped out to an early lead, pulling ahead, 14-0, in the first quarter after two long drives. The Bulls’ first drive of the game covered 75 yards and ended with running back Devin Campbell scoring from three yards out. A 13-play, 93-yard drive on Buffalo’s next possession put it in command early in the contest with a two-touchdown lead.
Ohio cut the lead in half when freshman Daz’mond Patterson returned the ensuing Bulls kickoff 100 yards for the score. Patterson’s touchdown matched the school record for the longest kickoff return set on Aug. 30, 2008, by former Bobcat Donte Harden.
The Bobcats’ defense increased the pressure on Buffalo’s offense, forcing three turnovers in the second quarter. Tettleton and company converted two of the fumble recoveries into touchdowns to give Ohio its first lead of the game, 21-14, with six minutes, five seconds remaining in the first half.
With 5:56 remaining in the game, junior Ryan Boykin broke through a hole on the right side for a 51-yard touchdown run, putting Ohio ahead, 38-24. The score proved to be the final nail in the coffin.
With the victory, the Bobcats’ six wins qualify the team for a bowl game for the fourth consecutive season.
Ohio next hosts Akron on Saturday in the Bobcats’ Homecoming game, while Buffalo travels to Northern Illinois.
Bowling Green rolls past Akron
After trailing 10-0 at the half, Bowling Green came from behind to defeat Akron, 24-10, on Saturday.
The Falcons (3-3, 1-1 MAC) netted 228 yards of its 472 total yards in the third quarter alone as Bowling Green grabbed its first conference win of the season.
After tying the game at 10 earlier in the third quarter, the Falcons pulled ahead for good with 2:33 left in the frame when Alex Bayer took a screen pass 60 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
The Zips (1-5, 0-2) jumped out in front with 9:47 left in the second quarter after a defensive mishap by the Falcons (3-3, 1-1) allowed quarterback Dalton Williams to find Tyrell Goodman in the back of the end zone for a 17-yard pass and score.
A 46-yard field goal from Akron kicker Robert Stein as the second quarter expired put the Zips ahead, 10-0, going into the break.
After receiving the kickoff to start the second half, the Falcons drove 78 yards on seven plays to get on the board for the first time on an Anthony Samuel 4-yard rushing touchdown.
On its next possession, kicker Stephen Stein converted his first field goal of the season, a 26-yarder, to knot the game at 10.
Bowling green quarterback Matt Schilz found Bayer for another score to seal the victory, 24-10, midway through the fourth quarter.
Bowling Green will play at home on Saturday against Miami (Ohio), while Akron will be on the road against Ohio.
NIU’s Jordan Lynch named MAC Offensive Player of the Week
Northern Illinois junior quarterback Jordan Lynch was named the MAC West Division Offensive Player of the Week after dazzling Ball State for 402 total yards in Saturday’s 35-23 win.
The dual-threat Lynch finished with 207 rushing yards and 195 yards through the air and found the end zone with his feet three times, highlighted by a 71-yard quarterback draw that put the Huskies on top,
Saturday marked the fourth consecutive 100-yard rushing game for Lynch and his fifth on the season.
Lynch has 18 total touchdowns this season — nine passing and nine rushing — and has a team-high 789 yards on the ground.
Northern Illinois resumes play on Saturday at home against Buffalo.
Cody Prudhomme can be reached at [email protected].
