Ohio entered the season coming of their second straight 10 win season and ended the 2023 season with a win over Georgia Southern the Myrtle Beach Bowl for their fifth straight bowl win.[8][9] It was the first time in school history that the Bobcats won 10 games in back to back years.[10] Ohio suffered numerous losses in the transfer portal in the offseason including 12 players who transferred to programs in power conferences.[11] Among the losses was starting quarterback and 2022 MAC Player of the YearKurtis Rourke who transferred to Indiana.[12][13] Ohio entered the season ranked 133 out of 134 FBS teams in returning production as determined by the SP+ rankings.[14] With incoming transfers and freshman recruits the Bobcats feature 53 scholarship players who are new to the roster from the prior season.[15] Among the returners are quarterback Parker Navarro and running back Ricky Hunt who both made their first start in last season's bowl game while filling the roles left open by players transferring out and were two key players in the victory.[16] Navarro had 11 competitions on 16 attempts for 120 yards and 71 rushing yards.[16][17] Hunt's 5 TD's tied the record in bowl games and set an Ohio program record.[18]
In the season opener at Syracuse, the Bobcat running game got going behind Anthony Tyus III's 203 yards but they couldn't stop the Syracuse passing game as Kyle McCord threw for 354 yards and four touchdowns in a 38–22 loss in the JMA Wireless Dome.[19] Ohio opened their home schedule with evening game a win over South Alabama. Parker Navarro had 204 yards passing and 63 yards rushing and passed and rushed for a touchdown in a 27–20 victory.[20] Navarro threw three interceptions and the Bobcat offense turned it over four times but their defense held Morgan State to 211 yards in a 21–6 win the following week.[21] The Bobcats finished the non-conference schedule with two wins and two losses after a loss at Kentucky. Backup quarterback Nick Poulos started for Ohio and the offense struggled as the Wildcat front seven dominated in a 41–6 loss.[22]
Ohio opened MAC conference play with a 30–10 homecoming win over Akron. Parker Navarro came back from injury and threw for two touchdowns an ran for another in the win.[23] They moved to 2–0 in conference play as Navarro again scored on the ground and though the air to help the Bobcats to a 24–0 halftime lead in a win over Central Michigan in a game in which they had to hold on late to win 27–25.[24] Miami's defense held Ohio scoreless in the first half and to only 291 yards for the game as the Bobcats lost the 100th Battle of the Bricks in Oxford by a score of 30–20.[25] The Bobcats returned home the following week against Buffalo. Coleman Owen scored three touchdowns, Shay Taylor had a pick-six and Kadin Schmitz had a pick-two as Ohio cruised to an 47–16 win.[26] Ohio got its second easy win in a row when the travelled to play a banged up Kent State team on an 17-game losing streak in their first mid-week "MACtion" game. Eamonn Dennis returned a kick, Coleman Owen returned a punt, and the defense shutout the Golden Flashes on only 114 total yards in a dominant 41–0 win to move back into a tie for first in the conference.[27] Ohio, in control of its own destiny for a MAC Championship, hosted Eastern Michigan on a Wednesday night. Parker Navarro threw for 277 yards while rushing for 106 yards and 4 touchdowns while Tank Pearson had two interceptions in a 35–10 win.[28] The following Wednesday, they won at Toledo for only the second time since 1967. Ohio's offense kept the ball for over 41 minutes and their defense forced three turnovers in a 24–7 win.[29] The Bobcats have improved their conference record to 6–1 and control their own destiny in the regular season finale against Ball State.[30][31] Navarro threw for three touchdowns, two of which were to Owen, and ran for two more. Ohio was able to sit its starters for most of the second half in a 42–21 win that sealed an appearance in the 2024 MAC Championship Game.[32]
Prior to the 2022 season the university installed new turf in Peden Stadium.[33] The new field at Peden is called "Frank Solich Field" after the MAC's all-time coaching wins leader to whom Albin was a long time assistant.[34][35] With the win over Ball State, Ohio finished unbeaten at home for the second time in three seasons and improved to 17–1 on the new surface.[32]
In the Championship Game on December 7, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, Ohio avenged the regular season loss to Miami, winning 38–3.[36] They won the MAC Championship for the first time since 1968.[37] Parker Navarro won Offensive Player of the Game with 235 passing yards with 2 touchdowns and 73 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.[38] Bradley Weaver was Defensive Player of the Game.[39] Gianni Spetic hit a 53-yard field goal and won Special Teams Player of the Game.[40] After the game, Albin exited the team bus in northern Ohio on the way back to campus to take the head coaching position at Charlotte without notifying the team.[41]
Ohio accepted a bid to play Jacksonville State in the Cure Bowl.[42] The Gamecocks were the champions of Conference USA and were coming off of a 52–12 win over Western Kentucky in the Championship Game.[43]Brian Smith was named the interim head coach for the bowl game and was named full time head coach on December 18.[44][45] Ohio's trio of offensive stars shined in the Bowl game. Navarro passed for 227 yards and a touchdown and ran for 119 yards and three touchdowns and joined Anthony Tyus as the team's second thousand yard rusher.[46] Tyus ran for 123 yards.[47] Coleman Owen had 111 yards receiving and broke LaVon Brazill's school record for receiving yards.[48] The 30-27 win that gave Smith his first victory as a head coach as Ohio won 11 games in a season for the first time in school history.[49] It was the program's sixth straight bowl win.[50]
On July 19 the MAC announced the preseason coaches poll.[56] Ohio was picked to finish fifth in the conference.[57] They received zero votes to win the MAC Championship.[58]
Ohio took the opening kickoff and went on a 50-yard drive but had to settle for a Gianni Spetic field goal.[85] McCord got off to a slow start with two of is first three passes nearly intercepted by Ohio.[86] After a Syracuse punt the Bobcats marched down the field again but had to settle for another field goal.[87] Syracuse took the lead on their next possession on a 28-yard reception by Oronde Gadsden II from Kyle McCord.[88] After an Ohio punt, Syracuse went on a seven-minute drive that used most of the rest if the half but they also had to settle for a short field goal.[89] Ohio received the kickoff with 2:02 left in the half and reached the Syracuse 3 yard line with 1:07 left. They again had to settle for a field goal.[90] Syracuse used their timeouts to receive the kick with 0:49 left. McCord completed 6 of 8 passes on the ensuing drive and hit Trebor Pena to a touchdown with 5 seconds left in the half to give Syracuse a 17–9 lead.[91]
Syracuse went three and out to start the half.[92] Ohio received the punt and marched 75 yards in five plays on a drive that culminated in a 13-yard touchdown run by Anthony Tyus III to the Bobcats within 1.[93] The Ohio rushing attack was working well but they only punched it in the end zone once. In the third quarter McCord got hot and led the Orange on three consecutive touchdown drives which ended on receptions by LeQuint Allen and Trebor Pena respectively and the third on a 1-yard Pena rush.[94] A 46-yard touchdown run by Tyus early in the fourth ended the scoring.[95]
Tyus's 203 yards on the ground was the bright spot for Ohio. 137 of Narvaro's 181 passing yards were caught by transfer Coleman Owen.[96] Austin Brawley led Ohio with 12 tackles.[97] McCord threw for 357 yards of which 108 were to Gadsden and 78 to Pena.[98] LeQuin Allen had 98 rushing yards for the Orange.[99]
Ohio opened their home schedule with South Alabama. The Jaguars was coming off a 7–6 season after which head coach Kane Wommack departed to join new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer's staff as defensive coordinator.[104] They started the season with a new head coach, former Texas quarterback and Houston head coach, Major Applewhite[105][106] South Alabama dropped their week 1 opening game to North Texas by a score of 52–38 in a game where both teams had 550 yards or more of total offense.[107] Their quarterback, Gio Lopez, threw for 432 yards in the loss but did not play against Ohio due to a toe injury.[108][109] Bishop Davenport started in his place.[110]
Both team's defenses ruled the game early as the first three drives of the game ended in punts. Ohio took the ball on their own 19 on their second drive and on the first play from scrimmage Ricky Hunt Jr. got the Bobcats into field goal range with a 59-yard rush.[111] However, they couldn't get any closer and had to settle to a field goal by Gianni Spetic.[112]
After another exchange of punts, South Alabama's punt returner fumbled Jack Wilson's punt and Ohio fell on it to set their offense up at the USA 20 yard line.[113] It only took three plays to find paydirt as Anthony Tyus scored from 7 yards out.[114]
After another exchange of punts, the Jaguars took the ball with 6:35 left in the half and went on a 6 play 54-yard drive to set up a Laith Marjan field goal.[115] The Bobcats went 3 and out and gave the ball right back. The Jaguars tied the game with an easy 5 play drive culminating in a Fluff Bothwell 8-yard touchdown run with only 1:25 left in the half.[113] It was more time than the Bobcats needed as Ohio quarterback Parker Navarro connected on 6 of 7 passes and found Chase Hendricks in the endzone from 33 yards out before the half expired.[116]
Ohio took the second half kickoff and went down the field on an 11 play drive that ended on a score on a quarterback draw by Navarro to give the Bobcats a 14-point lead.[113] South Alabama answered with a 13 play drive of their own as Bishop Davenport completed a pass to Jamaal Pritchett in the endzone to get back within a touchdown.[117] On the first play of the ensuing drive Navarro was sacked and fumbled and gave the ball right back to South Alabama.[118] The Jaguars could not fully capitalize and settled for a field goal early in the fourth quarter.[119]
Ohio went 3 and out on their next drive but South Alabama could not do any better and responded with a 3 and out of their own.[120] Ohio received the punt on their own 14 and after 13 plays they reached the USA 11 with 4:02 left and elected for a 26-yard field goal to get up by 7.[113] South Alabama penalties pushed them backwards on the ensuing drive and they faced a 4th and 17 from their own 12. With 3 timeouts they elected to punt it away.[121] Ohio kept it on the ground and salted away the program's 600th victory after two first downs.[122]
Navarro was 20-of-28 for 204 yards and with 63 yards on the ground.[123] The Bobcat's held the USA offense that put up 550 yards on North Texas to 335 yards and the Ohio offense rushed for 200 yards.[124]
Morgan State came to Athens with a 1–1 record as they had split two games with fellow FCS foes with a win over Hampton and a loss to Towson.[129]
After forcing a Bear's punt on the opening drive, the Bobcats took the ball and marched down the field in 7 plays for a touchdown to open the scoring.[130] Parker Navarro found Anthony Tyus III from 19 yards out. The Bears countered with a long drive of their own but had to settle for a Beckett Leary 30-yard field goal.[131] Ohio responded with another touchdown on a 10-yard quarterback draw from Navarro on the last play of the first quarter, which was set up by a 53-yard reception by Coleman Owen.[132]
The Bobcats recovered an onside kick but Navarro immediately threw his first of three second quarter interceptions to Bryan Stukes attempting a pass over the deep middle.[133] The defenses ruled the second quarter as teams exchanges five consecutive three and out drives. Jadon Carter then setup Morgan State deep in Ohio territory with the second pick of Navarro. They had to settle for a short field goal to get within 8. Navarro threw is third interception on the third play of the next drive to set up the Bears at the Ohio 28 but Morgan State quarterback Tahj Smith was intercepted by Marcel Walker just before the end of the half.[134][135]
Ohio backup quarterback Nick Poulos relieved Navarro in the second half and led the Bobcats on a touchdown drive to open the half. Tyus found paydirt again from 13 yards out.[136] This would give the ‘Cats a 21–6 lead and would be the last score of the game.[137] Morgan State reached the Ohio 5 on their next drive but a chip shot field goal was blocked. They reached the Ohio 2 on their next drive but were stopped on fourth down early in the fourth quarter.[138] They were again stopped on downs after a Poulos fumble late the fourth. Morgan State had the ball in Ohio territory in seven different drives and reached the red zone four times but only managed to score six points.[139]
Ohio held the Bears to 211 yards of offense but their own offense turned it over four times.[140] Tyus again led the offense with 90 yards on the ground and scored two touchdowns. Owen had 112 receiving yards.[141] Blake Leake led the defense with 12 tackles.[142] Smith has 136 yards through the air for Morgan State.[143]
With staring quarterback Parker Navarro out with an undisclosed injury Ohio tuned to backup Nick Poulos and struggled to move the ball against an SEC defense.[152] After the teams exchanged punts on their first possessions, Kentucky struck first late in the first quarter with a 30-yard field goal[153] Kentucky found paydirt on their next possession to go up by ten and then went on an 80-yard drive to go up by 17.[154] The Bobcats reached the UK 5 yard line late in the half but squandered the chance as Poulos fumbled.[155]
Kentucky took complete control in the game in the third quarter. An short Ohio punt to start the half led to another UK field goal[156] On the first play of the ensuing drive Poulos was intercepted by Maxwell Hairston who returned it for a touchdown[157] After an Ohio three and out Kentucky set up Ohio with a short field after failing on fourth down.[158] Ricky Hunt punched it into the endzone to get Ohio on the board.[159] Kentucky stretched the lead with touchdowns on each of their next two possessions.[160]
Brock Vandagriff was 17-of-24 with 237 passing yards for Kentucky.[161] Dane Key was on the receiving end of 109 yards of that total.[162] Jamarion Wilcox had 82 of Kentucky's 206 rushing yards.[159] Kentucky outgained Ohio 488 to 223.[163] Poulos was held to 110 yards passing in his first start for the Bobcats.[164]
Ohio opened MAC conference play as they hosted Akron for their homecoming.[169] The Zips came to Athens with a 1–3 record with a win over FCS Colgate and losses at power conference opponents Ohio State, Rutgers, and South Carolina.[170][171][172][173] It took a while for the Bobcat offense to get going but their defense controlled the game and Ohio defended its home turn for homecoming with a 30–10 win over Akron. Quarterback Parker Navarro came back from injury and threw two touchdown passes to Coleman Owen and ran for another.[174]
The Bobcats took the opening kickoff and went three and out. After the punt, Akron took the ball and went on an 11 play 54-yard drive. However, the drive stalled at the Ohio 37 and the Zips settled for a 49-yard field goal by Garrison Smith.[175] Akron took an early lead but this turned out to be the only real sustained drive of the day for the Zips.
Over the next four drives the teams combined for only one first down. Early in the second quarter the Bobcats moved the ball but were stopped at the Akron 28.[176] Gianni Spetic missed a 44-yard field goal attempt.[177] DJ Walker intercepted a Ben Finley pass on the 3rd play of the ensuing drive and set Ohio up in Akron territory.[178] They took advantage four plays later. Running back Anthony Tyus took the ball on a run from the 4-yard line and fumbled the ball into the endzone where it was recovered by tight end Mason Williams.[179] Ohio took a 7–3 lead. It did not last. After a quick Akron punt Ohio found itself pinned at their own 2-yard line. They could not move the ball and punted from their own end zone. Jordan Castleberry's return set Akron up at the Ohio 31.[176] Three plays later Finley hit Jake Newell for a touchdown to retake the lead for the Zips with 1:20 left in the half.[180] However, Ohio still had all three timeouts and was able to march down he field for a touchdown as Navarro found Owen from 18-yards out to retake the lead with 0:17 remaining in the half.[176]
At the start of the second half neither offense was able to move the ball. At the end of Ohio's second possession punter Jack Wilson pinned Akron at their own 8-yard line.[176] On 3rd and 15 from the 3-yard line Finley dropped back and was tackled in the endzone by Marcell Walker-Burgess.[181] After the free-kick, Ohio got to the Akron 30 but Navarro was sacked and fumbled. Ohio's defense was starting to dominate the game and Akron could not capitalize and was forced to punt form the Ohio 38 and again pinned Ohio deep at their own 3.[182] After another exchange of three and outs, Navarro hit Owen who showed scampered 75-yards for a 23–10 lead with 11:53 remaining.[183]
After Akron was stopped on downs, the Bobcats had on opportunity to work the lock but Tyus fumbled on the first play of the drive.[176] Three plays later, a tipped Finley pass was intercepted by Austin Brawley. Ohio was now taking possession at their own 15. This time they took 5:30 off the clock with a 10-play drive. Navarro scored on 3rd and goal from the 3 -yard line with 0:59 remaining to seal the win.[176]
Ohio outgained Akron 440 to 178 and the defense held the Zips to -18 yards rushing.[184]
Navarro threw for 204 yards and led the team with 113 rushing yards.[185] His performance earned him MAC co-offensive player of the week honors.[186] Coleman Owen had 6 catches for 130 yards. Aside from the two interceptions, Ben Finley threw for 196 yards for Akron. Bryan McCoy led the Zips with 14 tackles.[187] Avery Brook might have had the best day for Akron as he averaged 47.3 yards over 7 punts and pinned Ohio near their own goal twice.[188]
Ohio took the opening kickoff and, mostly on the strength of a 53-yard run by Parker Navarro, reached the CMU 18 but had to settle for a short field goal.[196] After a Chippewa three and out, Anthony Tyus reached the CMU 16 but lost a fumble.[197] Early in the second quarter a nine play drive finally found paydirt as Navarro ran it in from eight yards out.[198] The Bobcat defense forced their fourth punt in as many possessions and the offense again took advantage.[199] This time Navarro found Coleman Owen on a five-yard touchdown pass with 3:11 remaining in the half.[200] After another CMU three and out the Bobcats took over with 1:40 left. Five plays later Duncan Brune scored his first touchdown as a Bobcat on a four-yard rush.[201]
To this point the Ohio defense was dominating the game, holding Central Michigan to 70 total yards in the first half, and it continued as Central Michigan took the second-half kickoff and again punted after three offensive plays.[202] The Ohio offense began to struggle and punted in the first of three straight three and out possessions. The Chips now tried to start an incredible rally. They went 67 yards in 8 plays as Marion Lukes scored his first on three touchdowns on a three-yard rush.[203] A successful two-point conversion made the score 24–8. After Ohio's third straight three play drive, CMU responded with a possession that went nowhere. But Navarro was sacked on the 2nd play of Ohio's next drive and fumbled at the Bobcat 15.[197] CMU got right back in the game 3 plays later on Luke's second touchdown.[204] Now ahead by 6 with nine minutes remaining, and not having earned a first down the second half, Ohio's offense responded with but were faced with a fourth and four at the CMU 28 with 5:17 remaining. They elected to send out kicker Gianni Spetic who connected on a 46-yard field goal.[205] Central Michigan scored on Luke's third touchdown on the ensuing drive but they took eleven plays and used up most of the clock.[197] Ohio kept the ball on the ground and, after two first downs, locked up the win.[197]
Ohio outgained CMU 430 to 292.[206] Navarro led Ohio in rushing for the second straight game as he had 176 of the team's 283 yards.[207] He also threw for 147. Marion Lukes, in addition to the three touchdowns, had 110 yards on the ground for the Chips.[208] A big part of the story was penalties as CMU lost 133 yards on 15 total penalties and had several big plays negated.[209]
Miami opened the scoring on their second possession with a short field goal by Dom Dzioban with 6:42 remaining in the first quarter.[218] The defenses stiffened and there were five straight three-and-out possessions. Miami opened up a two score lead when Brett Gabbart hit Reggie Virgil with a 14-yard touchdown pass with 8:18 left in the half.[219] To this point Ohio had not achieved a first down after four possessions.[219] However, they found a little offense on the ensuing drive and after nine plays they had reached the Miami 32.[220] On the next play Parker Navarro was intercepted by Raion Strader who returned it ot the Miami 43 and the RedHawks took over with 2:28 remaining in the half. It was enough time as Miami took control of the game with 0:19 when Gabbert connected with Javon Tracy.[221]
Ohio took the opening kick of the second half and when on a 15-play touchdown drive that ate 7:31 off of clock that culminated in a 1-yard plunge by Anthony Tyus III.[222] Miami was forced to punt but the Bobcat effort to get back in the game went sour when a short Ohio punt on the following drive set Miami up on their own 42.[219] Miami quickly re-established control of the game when Keyon Mozee scored on a 58-yard run on the following play.[219] Navarro threw his second interception to Matt Salopel on the third play of the ensuing drive and Miami again scored in one play on Gabbert's third touchdown pass.[223] This time it was Cade McDonald on the receiving end of a 28-yard pass that put the RedHawks up 30–6.[224] After an exchange of punts, the Bobcats went on another long 11-play scoring drive ending in a 1-yard rush by Nolan McCormick. Ohio was down by 16 with just 5:58 remaining in the game. Ohio's defense forced Miami punts on their next two possessions but their offense was unable to put anymore points of the board until Nick Poulos, in relief of Navarro, ran it in with just five seconds left to make the final 30–20.[225]
Miami outgained Ohio 330 to 291.[223] Gabbert led Miami's offense with 178 passing yards and three touchdowns.[223] Mozee had 111 rushing yards including the long touchdown run.[226] McDonald had 5 catches to 84 yards and a touchdown.[227] Miami linebacker Matt Salopek earned MAC co-defensive player of the week honors with a 10 tackles and an interception.[228] Receivers Rodney Harris II and Chase Hendricks might have had the best days for the Bobcats in a game where they ball was distributed between many athletes with 7 and 5 respective receptions for 82 and 50 yards.[229]
Ohio hosted Buffalo with both teams sporting 4–3 overall records and 2-3 conference records. The Bulls were coming off of a loss to Western Michigan but scored wins in the first two MAC games over two of the early favorites in Northern Illinois, and Toledo.[216][234] Explosive plays helped Ohio to earn a 47–16 win. Ohio improved to 15–1 at home since the start of the 2022 season and 12–1 at home against Buffalo since Buffalo joined the MAC in 1999.[235][236]
It took until near the end of the first quarter before either offense was able to post any points. The first three drives resulted in a Buffalo punt, Marquis Cooper intercepting a Parker Navarro pass to end a Bobcat drive at the Buffalo 21, and a missed 47-yard field goal by Upton Bellenfant. Gianni Spetic was able to finish Ohio's 11-play drive on their second possession with a short 23-yard field goal to give Ohio an early lead.[237] The lead didn't last long and Buffalo back Messiah Burch escaped for a 27-yard touchdown run on the ensuing drive.[238] Rickey Hunt Jr. gave Ohio the lead right back with the first of several huge plays for the Bobcats as he ripped off a 46-yard touchdown to give Ohio a 10–7 lead.[239] Following a Buffalo three and out Parker Navarro found Coleman Owen on a long 65-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the following drive.[240] Buffalo was forced to settle for a field goal with 3:23 left in the half. The Bobcat offense took the field and chewed up most of what was left in the half before Owen was on the scoring end on another Navarro pass as Ohio took a 24–10 lead into the locker room.[241]
Ohio was unable to do anything after receiving the 2nd half kickoff but halted Buffalo's subsequent scoring chance when Bralen Henderson recovered a fumble on a sack of C.J Ogbonna at the Ohio 20.[242] Ohio marched down the field in six plays and took control of the game when Nolan McCormick plunged into the end-zone.[243] Buffalo again moved the ball on their next drive. This time they converted it into a touchdown on the 11th play on a 21-yard catch by Victor Snow.[242] Their effort to get back in the game was significantly hampered when Kadin Schmitz intercepted Ogbonna's conversion pass and returned it 100 yards for two points for the Bobcats.[244] After a short Ohio punt the Bulls had an opportunity to starting at mid-field. They were stopped on downs without a first-down.[242] Six plays later Owen ended most of what might have been left of Buffalo's hope when he scored his third touchdown of the game. This time it was on the ground as he scored on a 22-yard reverse.[245] Shay Taylor then ended all hoped when he returned on Ogbonna interception for a touchdown two plays later. Ohio's defense stopped the Bull's on downs. Ohio's running game then chewed most of what was left of the clock before being stopped on downs at the two-minute timeout. The Bulls were unable to convert any points in the final two minutes.[246]
With the 31 point margin of victory, Ohio only outgained Buffalo by a margin of 489 to 383.[247] It was big plays that helped Ohio to the win.[248] Coleman Owen provided more than anyone with 6 receptions for 146 yards and two receiving touchdowns and a rushing touchdown.[249] He earned MAC offensive player of the week honors for his efforts.
[250] Parker Navarro had 81 yards on the ground and rushing touchdown along with 231 passing yards, averaging 12.2 yards per attempt and a touchdown.[251] Rickey Hunt Jr. led the team with 89 rushing yards with a long touchdown run.[252] Shay Taylor had 11 tackles, a sack, and an interception returned for a touchdown. He earned MAC defensive player of the week.[250] Kadin Schmitz had 8 tackles along with a rarely seen pick-two conversion return.[252]
Ogbonna had 257 passing yards and a touchdown for the Bulls. Al-Jay Henderson had 81 rushing yards and Victor Snow had 75 receiving yards and a TD.[253] Red Murdock, Jalen McNair, and Shaun Dolac all had double figures in tackes with Murdock leading the way with 15.[252]
Ohio hosted Kent State in the first of their November midweek "MACtion" games.[258] The Golden Flashes entered the game as the only winless team in the FBS subdivision and on a seventeen-game losing streak.[259][260] They had dropped all four conference games along with three losses to power five teams and a loss to FCS opponent Saint Francis[261] They encountered more problems as they were planning on starting third-string quarterback Tommy Ulatowski but he was unable to play and they were forced to go with true freshman walk-on Ruel Tomlinson.[262] Kent State struggled to the tune of only 114 yards of total offense while Ohio's defense and special teams controlled the game.[263] Ohio became bowl eligible and moved into a 4-way tie for first place in a 41–0 win.[264]
The Golden Flashes quickly punted after receiving the opening kickoff. On their first drive of the game the Bobcats kept the ball for 11 plays but could not punch it in the endzone and had to settle for a 42-yard field goal.[265] They were able to find the endzone on their second drive as Anthony Tyus III ran it in from 19-yards out.[266] It remained 10–0 for the remainder of the first quarter. Kent State, on their fourth possession, finally got their initial first-down of the game with 1:27 remaining in the first but a Tomlinson pass was deflected upward by Adonis Williams Jr. and then by intercepted by Roman Parodie two plays later. Ohio started the ensuing drive at the Kent 37 but had to settle for a second field goal by Gianni Spetic early in the second quarter.[267] Ohio got the ball back after a Kent State punt and made the score 20–0 when quarterback Parker Navarro scored on a 3-yard rush on the 10th play of the next drive.[268] After another Golden Flash punt, Ohio tried a 55-yard field goal on the last play of the half but, after a well timed Kent State timeout negated a successful first attempt, could not convert.[268]
Ohio's special teams started to put the game away in the third quarter. Eamonn Dennis took the opening kickoff of the half and returned it 96-yards for a touchdown.[269] After a quick exchange of punts, Ohio forced Kent State to punt again with seven minutes remaining in the quarter. Coleman Owen provided another special team touchdown with a 61-yard punt return to make the score 34–0.[270] After another Kent three and out Ohio took the back into Kent State territory but Tyus fumbled the chance away.[268] Ohio scored the last points of the game on ther next drive when Nick Poulos, in fourth quarter relief of Navarro, threw is only pass of the game and found Bryce Butler for a touchdown. Neither team could find much offense on each of their respective final two possessions.[268]
The Bobcat offense outgained the Golden Flashes by almost 300 yards.[266] Navarro threw for 142 and added 41 on the ground. Tyus and Rickey Hunt Jr. rushed for 84 and 80 yards respectively.[271] In addition to the punt return, Owen led the Bobcats receiving corp with 4 catches for 61 yards.[272] The Bobcat defense collected 5 sacks.[273] Dennis's kick return earned him MAC co-special teams player of the week.[274] Josh Baka was the bright spot for Kent State with 18 tackles.[266]
Ohio hosted Eastern Michigan in their second consecutive Wednesday night game.[279] The Eagles came in with a 2–3 MAC conference record but with an overall winning record at 5–4 as their only non-conference loss came at Washington.[280]
Neither offense could get anything going early on. On their second possession, Ohio held the ball for 11 plays but stalled at the EMU 11.[281] The short field goal was blocked by Joey Zelinsky.[282] After an exchange of punts, EMU got on the board first when Cole Snyder hit Delbert Mimms III on an 18-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter.[283] Neither team could get a first down on the next two drives. Ohio, starting from inside their own 12 for the third time to that point, then took the ball on their own 5.[284] They went 95 yards in 5 plays as Parker Navarro hit Chase Hendricks, Coleman Owen, and Rodney Harris II for long gains on his only three attempts of the drive and then finished the drive himself on a 3-yard touchdown rush to tie the game.[285] After another exchange of punts Ben McNaboe intercepted a Snyder pass to kill an Eagle scoring chance at the Ohio 25.[286] With only 2:30 left in the half Ohio started an 8 play drive ending in an Anthony Tyus 1-yard plunge to take the lead before the half.[287]
The Bobcats received the second half kickoff but Navarro was intercepted by Quentavius Scandrett.[286] Tank Pearson got the ball back for Ohio with an interception of his own.[286] Ohio was forced to punt it away but Pearson got is second interception in as many EMU drives and set Ohio up and the EMU 25.[286] Navarro immediately cashed the turnover in with a 25-yard run on the next play with 6:04 left in the third quarter. Eastern Michigan stayed in the game with a 16 play drive that used up over a third of the time left in the game but they had to settle for a field goal that made the score 21 –10.[287] Ohio responded with a 9-play drive of their own that ended in Navarro's third touchdown from 1-yard out to take an 18-point lead with 7:20 remaining.[286] EMU lost their chance to get back in the game when Snyder was sacked by McNaboe and fumbled on the first play of the ensuring drive.[286] Navarro capitalized with his 4th touchdown run for the game's final score.[286] With the 35–10 victory, the Bobcats stayed in a three-way tie for first place in the MAC.[28]
Navarro led the Bobcats with 106 rushing yards and tied a program record with four rushing touchdowns.[288] He also set a personal career best with 277 passing yards.[289] He won MAC offensive player of the week.[290] Owen once again led the receivers with 8 catches for 139 yards.[291] Ohio's defense forced four turnovers from an Eastern Michigan offense that had only given the ball away seven times for the season.[292] Pearson had two interceptions while McNaboe had one and a strip-sack.[293] Mimms had 155 hards and a touchdown for the Eagles.[293] Snyder, who was responsible for all four turnovers, threw for 155 yards and a touchdown.[294] After a slow start Ohio's offense go going with the help of turnovers as the Bobcats outgained the Eagles 434 to 266.[295]
Ohio next traveled to Toledo to play the Rockets.[300] Toledo entered with 7–3 record with a non-conference win over SEC opponent Mississippi State.[301] Their 4–2 MAC conference record had them one game behind Ohio, Miami, and Bowling Green.[302][303] The last time these two programs played was when Toledo won the 2022 MAC Championship Game.[304] Ohio entered this game having won its last trip to the Glass Bowl in 2016. That win snapped a streak of sixteen losses at the Glass Bowl since they had last won at Toledo in 1967.[305] On a somewhat cold and somewhat windy Wednesday night, Ohio's offense controlled the clock, Ohio's defense controlled the game, and Ohio kept control of their own destiny as they overcame a first half deficit to win 24–7 slugfest.[306][307] The loss eliminated Toledo from MAC championship contention.[308]
Both offenses struggled early on as the first seven drives of the game ended in punts.[309] Early in the second quarter, Toledo got on the board first with a 23-yard pass from Tucker Gleason to Anthony Torres.[310] Ohio finally found some offense on the ensuing drive, holding the ball for ten plays, but could not get into field goal range.[311] Neither offense did much for the rest of the half.[310]
Toledo went three and out to start the second half. Ohio marched to the Toledo 5-yard line but Parker Navarro was intercepted by Mason Hooks.[312] Ohio's defense got the ball right back as DJ Walker forced an Eric Holley III fumble that was subsequently recovered by Roman Parodie.[313] This time, Navarro cashed it in with a 1-yard touchdown run to tie the game.[313] On the ensuing drive Ohio's defense forced their second straight turnover. Blake Leake forced a Junior Vandeross III fumble recovered by Adonis Williams Jr.[314] Ohio took the ball and reached a 2nd and goal at the Toledo 5 when the game's most controversial play occurred. Anthony Tyus III was stripped of the ball but it was ruled that his forward progress was stopped.[307] Toledo forced a fourth down at the 2. Ohio elected to go for it an Navarro scored is second touchdown to take the lead for Ohio early in the fourth quarter.[315] Now ahead and with the wind at their back, Ohio's defense controlled the fourth quarter. They forced a three and out.[309] The Bobcats took the ball and kept it for 8 plays before Tyus scored on a 1-yard plunge.[316] Ohio's defense then forced a 4th and 18 on Toledo's 36. They chose to go for it when John Alan Richter, in relief of Gleason, fumbled and was tackled by Shay Taylor for an 11-yard loss.[317] With the lead and good-field position and time running out the Bobcats kept the ball on the ground and settled for a short Gianni Spetic field goal with 3:33 remaining.[315] On the ensuing drive, Richter fumbled on a sack by Bradley Weaver that was recovered by Parodie.[309] Ohio then ran out the clock.
Navarro passed for 129 yards and rushed for 104 and two touchdowns and won MAC offensive player of the week for the second week in a row and third time this season.[318] Tyus had 125 rushing yards and a touchdown[319] Caleb Gossett led Ohio with 6 receptions for 86 yards.[320] Ohio's defense forced three turnovers while holding the Rockets to 215 total yards[306]
The Bobcats hosted Ball State on Black Friday.[326] The Bobcats knew that a win put Ohio the MAC Championship game.[327] Ohio and Ball State had played 27 times since 1975 with the Bobcats winning 12.[328] The Cardinals only had wins over only FCS Missouri State, winless Kent State, and an upset win over Northern Illinois.[329] However, their loss to Vanderbilt was only by 10 and, entering with a 2–5 conference record, their first four MAC losses were by a combined 15 points.[330] They were coming in off a 38–13 loss to MAC co-leader Bowling Green.[331]
Ohio took the opening kickoff and scored on their fifth offensive snap Parker Navarro hit Coleman Owen on a 50-yard bomb.[332] Ball State reached as deep as the Ohio 34 on their first drive but they were forced to punt. Three plays later Navarro and Owen hooked up deep again. This time from 41-yards.[333] After a Cardinal three-and-out the Bobcats reached as deep as the Ball State 30 but Navarro was intercepted by Thailand Baldwin as the 3-yard line.[334] Ball State went three-and-out again and were forced to punt deep in their own end. Ohio took over at the Cardinal 44 but were quickly forced to punt and pinned the Cardinals at their own 15. They reached midfield but were again forced to punt. This time the Bobcats marched 80-yards as it was Navarro who took it in himself this time with a 2-yard rush to put the Bobcats in control with a 21–0 lead with 8:25 remaining in the half.[335] Ball State took the kickoff and went on a 70-yard drive that culminated in a 33-yard pass from Kadin Semonza to Dahya Patel.[336] Seeing on opportunity to get right back in the game before the half, the Cardinals caught the Bobcats off-guard with an onsides kick. Seven plays later they faced a 4th and 1 and the Ohio 20 and elected to go for it but the conversion attempt was stuffed by the Ohio defense. Ohio punted on the ensuing drive and went into the half up by 14.[337]
Ball State received to opening kickoff. On the first play Semonza was sacked by Bradley Weaver and fumbled. Shay Taylor recovered at the Cardinal 16-yard line.[337] Two plays later, Navarro connected with Mason Williams for his third touchdown pass of the game.[338] The Ohio defense then forced a Ball State punt.[337] Ohio again marched 80-yards and went up 28 when Navarro scored his second touchdown on the ground.[337] Seeing an opportunity for their first MAC championship since 1968, Ohio sat most of their starters for the remainder of the game.
Ball State responded and Semonza found Tanner Koziol for a touchdown on the ensuing drive. With many Bobcats starters sitting the Cardinal defense forced an Ohio three-and-out.[337] Seeing an opportunity to get back into the game against Ohio's backups, the Cardinals reached the Ohio 25 on the last play of the third quarter. But Semonza then threw four straight incompletions and the drive ended on downs.[337] Ohio drove into Ball State territory but a fumble by backup quarterback Nick Poulos was recovered by Riley Tolsma.[337] Two plays later, Semonza was sacked by Taylor and his fumble was recovered by Dustin Johnson.[337] Poulos found Max Rodarte for a touchdown to make the score 41–14 with 5:25 remaining.[339] Semonza connected with Jamarion McDougle for a 27-yard TD on next possession but their onside kick failed and Ohio ran out the clock to earn a 42–21 victory and a spot in the MAC Championship game.[340] The win completed an unbeaten season at home[341]
Navarro threw for 169 yards and three touchdowns and added led the team with 110 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.[342] Navarro earned MAC offensive player of the week honors for the fourth time on the season and the third week in a row.[343] Anthony Tyus III added 109 yards on the ground.[344] Owen scored on two early touchdown passes and joined LaVon Brazill and Donte Foster as the only receivers with a 1000-yard season.[345] Blake Leake led Ohio with 12 tackles.[346] Taylor forced a fumble and recovered another. Ohio outgained Ball State 475 to 375. The Bobcat defense held the Cardinals to 42 yards rushing.[347]
Freshman quarterback Kadin Semonza threw for 333 yards and 3 touchdowns.[348] Cam Pickett led the Cardinals with 119 yards while tight-end Tanner Koziol had 10 receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown.[348] George Udo led them with 11 tackles.
For the first time in its history, the MAC Championship featured the teams with the best conference records without regard to divisions.[353] This allowed Ohio and Miami to continue the Battle of the Bricks rivalry in the championship game[354] They played twice in the same season and played on a neutral field for the first time.[355] Miami won the first matchup on October 19 by as score of 30–20.[356] Both teams entered the game without having lost since the last meeting.[357][358] Entering the championship game, Miami led the rivalry series 56–42–2.[359] Ohio had won 13 of the last 18 but Miami had won the last two.[360] In addition to the win earlier in the 2024 season, their win over Ohio during the 2023 season handed the Bobcats their second conference loss and vaulted the Redhawks to the 2023 MAC Football Championship Game where they defeated Toledo.[361][362]
Miami took the opening kickoff and kept the ball for 11 plays but had to settle for a 29-yard Field Goal by Dom Dzioban.[363] Ohio responded with an 11 play drive of their own. However, the Bobcats made it payoff with a 4-yard touchdown run by Parker Navarro.[364] After a Mami punt Ohio took over with 0:43 remaining in the first quarter. They did not surrender the ball until Navarro scored his second touchdown 18 plays later with only 5:29 left in the half.[365] Miami went three and out and punted the ball back to Ohio with 4:19 remaining. 10 plays later Navarro found tight end Mason Williams on a 21-yard touchdown pass with only 0:52 remaining.[366] Miami elected to go into halftime to regroup.
Ohio took the second half kickoff. Navarro was 4 of 4 passing for 68 yards on touchdown drive that put the Bobcats in control with a 28–3 lead.[367] Coleman Owen was on the receiving end of 57 of those yards including 23 on the culminating touchdown pass. Miami was again forced to punt which resulted in a controversial play. After a long punt return Owen fumbled which was recovered by the RedHawks at their own 13. However, Miami was called for an illegal block on the return and the result was to replay the down with Miami punting from their 23 after a 15-yard penalty was assessed.[368] Ohio again kept the ball for 11 plays but after a sack they faced a 4th down on the 35-yard line. Ohio opted to try got a 53-yard field goal which was converted by Gianni Spetic.[369] Ohio forced another Miami three and out and the elected to punt down by 28 with 2:27 left in the third quarter. Ohio was forced to punt on the ensuing drive. Miami reached the Ohio 14 with 12:22 remaining but a Brett Gabbert pass was intercepted in the endzone by Tank Pearson.[370] If that didn’t seal the game the 80-yard touchdown drive, mostly on the running of Anthony Tyus III, culminating on his 21-yard rush, did. Miami then turned the ball over on downs.[371] Ohio was able to run out the clock and earn their first MAC Championship since 1968.[372]
Ohio outgained Miami 469 to 190 and held the ball for 37 minutes in the most lopsided MAC championship game to date.[373] Navarro won offensive player of the game with 67 yards rushing and 235 passing while accounting for four touchdowns.[374] Tyus led the team with 151 yards rushing and a touchdown.[375] Owen again led the receivers with 73 yards and a touchdown. Bradley Weaver and Gianni Spetic were defensive and special teams players of the game.[376] Gabbert was held to 127 yards passing and an interception. Miami's rushing attack, led by thousand yard rusher Keyon Mozee, was limited to 63 yards.[375]
Since July 14, 2021, the head coach of the Ohio Bobcats has been Tim Albin. He heads a staff of ten assistant coaches, four graduate assistants, a director of football operations, and numerous other support staff.[398]
