Ohio wants to avenge last year’s shutout against Bowling Green in Saturday’s homecoming game.
Although most alumni who venture through Court Street and into Peden Stadium this weekend will be reminiscing on the good times, Ohio doesn’t want to think about the past.
During last year’s Homecoming Game, the Bobcats were defeated in the final minute, spoiling what would have been a comeback victory for Ohio.
This weekend’s opponent, Bowling Green, has given Ohio even worse memories.
The Bobcats (3-3, 1-1 Mid-American Conference) were shutout for the first time since 2005 in a 49-0 loss on the road last season. They’re hoping for a different result and a bit of revenge Saturday at Peden Stadium.
“That was not a good memory,” coach Frank Solich said. “A lot of players came to me after the season and wanted changes. … That was as difficult a time for me in coaching as I’ve ever had.”
Bowling Green (4-2, 2-0 MAC) has been playing with a back-up quarterback after initial starter Matt Johnson suffered a season-ending injury on week one. However, it still has the best offense in the MAC, led by quarterback James Knapke, a redshirt sophomore, and a trio of wide receivers with at least 300 yards and two touchdowns each.
After allowing 467 yards in its 28-10 loss to Central Michigan last weekend, the Bobcats’ defense will again be tested. They will also be playing without redshirt junior cornerback Devin Jones, while a handful of other regulars who also suffered injuries are listed as day-to-day.
Ian Wells, also a redshirt junior cornerback, missed last weekend’s game because of a concussion, but will return to action Saturday. He’ll cover Bowling Green’s number one wide receiver Roger Lewis, who’s totaled 595 yards and three touchdowns.
“We’re going to compete well with them — better than people think,” Wells said. “I’m going to go out there and play. I don’t care who you are, you can be Alabama, it don’t faze me. We don’t like the way we went out last year against them.”
Offensively, the Bobcats didn’t execute as well as they wanted against Central Michigan, as redshirt sophomore quarterback JD Sprague completed just 7 of 21 passes for 98 yards.
Many of those incompletions resulted from miscommunication between him and receivers, as well as breakdowns on the offensive line. After practices this week, Sprague and the receivers have remained on the field working on chemistry.
Despite its high-scoring offense, Bowling Green has allowed the second-most points per game on average in the MAC. The Falcons allowed at least 35 points in their first two conference games against Massachusetts and Buffalo.
Ohio hopes to recollect its offense and execute in front of the Homecoming Crowd and record its first win against Bowling Green since 2011.
“This game means a lot to me because I know that a lot of former teammates and alumni are coming back to see us play and hopefully we can show them what Bobcat football has become and what we’re all about this year,” redshirt senior safety Josh Kristoff said.
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