I get it.
It’s Saturday night, and you have other plans. As summer nears its end, only a few warm weekends remain in the year, and you need to go celebrate after getting through another week of classes.
But the Ohio football team is giving students another reason to celebrate.
With a dominating 44-7 victory against Marshall on Saturday, Ohio moved to 3-0 for the first time since 1976 and won the Battle for the Bell for the first time in 11 years.
Though the third-largest crowd in Peden Stadium history packed the stands during the first half, few remained as the final seconds ticked off the clock as the Bobcats cemented their win.
Saturday’s action-packed first half against the Thundering Herd supplied fans with enough excitement for an entire game, but those who left the game early missed out on a lot.
As some students emptied the stands and flooded Court Street, kicker Matt Weller was busy tying the all-time school record for career field goals made with 38.
If you left Peden and headed for a party, you missed Ohio’s offense explode for 30 first downs for the first time in 10 years.
If you exited the game as the Marching 110 exited the field, you missed the entire team sprinting toward the north end zone following the game to claim the bell that was rightfully theirs.
While you sang along to the latest Katy Perry song, the students that remained at Peden Stadium sang along with the football team to “Alma Mater, Ohio.”
Parties come along every week. Good football teams do not.
Against Gardener-Webb 10 days ago, a jubilant quartet of Bobcat fans donned body paint and spelled out O-H-I-O in the first row of the west bleachers at Peden Stadium.
But the group became a trio as the second “O” left. Then, the “I” departed.
For some reason, the abbreviation isn’t as impressive.
For the first time in just about every Ohio University student’s life, the Bobcats are 3-0. Not only are they the only undefeated team in the conference, but they are the only undefeated FBS team in the state.
Ohio is gaining notoriety on the national level and received votes for the top 25 in the latest USA Today Coaches’ Poll.
The Bobcats will put their undefeated record on the line this weekend against Rutgers. A win in New Jersey would garner even more votes for Frank Solich’s team.
Guiding the Bobcats is a dynamic group of talented players.
Recently named Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week, Ohio sophomore quarterback Tyler Tettleton is one of the most promising young stars in the conference.
In only three starts, Tettleton has led an offense ranked first in the conference in scoring as well as thrown for 577 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Bobcats boast a set a receivers known for blazing speed and jaw-dropping catches, as evidenced Saturday in Phil Bates’ 50-yard touchdown reception and Donte Foster’s amazing one-handed catch in the back of the end zone.
Ranked as high as the fifth-best unit in the country by Scout.com, the specials teams unit is gathering the most attention for Ohio.
For the third straight week — and every week this season — an Ohio player has earned the honor as MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week.
Off to its best start in 35 years, Ohio will undoubtedly be in contention for a third-consecutive bowl appearance and first MAC championship since 1968. The only doubt that remains is whether students will be on hand to witness.
Many outside of Athens are starting to take notice of this team. Isn’t it about time those in Athens do the same?
—Rob Ogden is a senior studying journalism and assistant sports editor for The Post. If you’re an optimist and think Peden was half full, email him at ro137807@ohiou.edu.
