Following a Myrtle Beach Bowl victory last season, Ohio (0-1) loaded up an almost entirely new roster for the 2024 season. New starters and projected contributors filled the depth chart as the team stepped into Syracuse’s (1-0) JMA Dome in what would end up being a 22-38 loss.
Despite this, Ohio saw two of its most recent additions, running back Anthony Tyus III and wide receiver Coleman Owen, provide massive contributions, combining for 340 yards and two touchdowns on the day.
The two graduate students took very different paths to Ohio. Owen, a team captain, came in from Division II Northern Arizona, where he recorded 2,272 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns over 39 games. Tyus III hails from the Big Ten’s Northwestern, where he was never a featured player.
Tyus III recorded 203 rushing yards, making the most of each touch, averaging 12.7 yards per carry. In a single game, Tyus III put himself just 35 yards short of what he accomplished in 12 games last season. Tyus III thanks Ohio’s offensive line, another much-changed unit.
“Those guys battle,” Tyus III said. “My biggest thing is if they score, they’re in the endzone, I’m in the endzone … it starts with the o-line up front and those guys battle. I’m proud of them.”
Tyus III broke off runs for 46, 44 and 21 yards, but it’s safe to say he thinks he could have had more. After an unsuccessful red zone trip, where the Bobcats’ chose to pass, Tyus III let Ohio coach Tim Albin know he wanted an opportunity to put the ball in the end zone.
“Trey (Anthony Tyus III) let me know in a nice way, coming off the field, he was wanting the ball,” Albin said. “That’s why Trey’s a great competitor.”
Although sophomore Rickey Hunt Jr. got the start, Tyus III played the vast majority of the second half. The plan, Albin says, was to split carries between the two backs each drive, but Tyus III just had the hot hand in the second half.
“Rickey Hunt, great running back. We both feed off each other; we learn from each other,” Tyus III said. “… Doesn’t matter who’s in there; we all want to eat, and at the end of the day, it's just about coming together.”
From the slot, Owen’s debut provided a bright spot for Ohio as well. Despite a passing game that stands to improve, Owen hauled in 10 receptions for 137 yards, showcasing a strong connection with quarterback Parker Navarro.
“I was impressed with Parker’s anticipation on a couple of those throws,” Albin said. “He’s (Owen) not (6-foot-4-inches), and he trusted that Coleman was going to be in-breaking versus out-breaking.”
Owen’s toughness was a key for the Bobcats, even to the chagrin of Albin, who had to play around the injury to junior receiver Max Rodarte before the game.
“He (Coleman Owen) probably played too many snaps,” Albin said. “I know Coleman’s not going to like what I just said, but that’s the kind of guy, kind of athlete he is.”
Regardless of whether Tyus III and Owen receive the same kind of usage they had in the season opener, which seems unlikely, their impact and ability to mesh into a team that is still so new was an emphasis against Syracuse, and Albin will look to continue to get production from his transfers throughout the season.
“We set the standard … We want to raise the bar,” Tyus III said. “All the new transfers, we all bought in and came together. We have a great group and I’m excited for what the future holds.”
