Derrius Vick's three interceptions doomed Ohio against Buffalo.
There weren't any safeties called four yards out from the end zone, but Saturday's loss to Buffalo had its fair share of turmoil for Ohio.
Ohio quarterback Derrius Vick threw three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns by the Bulls, as the Bobcats have now dropped two of their previous three games. Vick had just three interceptions total heading into Saturday’s 41-17 loss.
A win over Buffalo would have given Ohio (5-3, 2-2 MAC) bowl eligibility, but after the injury to middle linebacker Quentin Poling and running back Papi White, coach Frank Solich is left with question marks rather than confidence.
Linebacker Chad Moore and running back A.J. Ouellette filled in for Poling, but Vick's three — almost four — picks mostly disseminated Ohio's chances. Vick finished the game with 321 passing yards and three interceptions. Quarterback Greg Windham came in late in the fourth quarter, replacing Vick, and also threw an interception.
Buffalo running back Jordan Johnson took advantage of the Bobcats’ defense, rushing for 147 and two touchdowns just a week after Western Michigan rushed for 430 yards against Ohio.
“The biggest thing is to stick together,” defensive lineman Kurt Laseak said last week after Ohio’s 35-point loss to Western Michigan.
“Not pointing fingers. You have to figure out what’s going on and figure out how to fix it versus losing control and yelling at each other because that’s when things start heading south and get out of control.”
Saturday against the Bulls saw the Bobcats jump out to a fast 7-0 lead, but Vick’s interceptions and defensive holes, because of injuries, spoiled any chances Ohio had at becoming bowl-eligible. Ohio trailed for 47 minutes and 20 seconds in Saturday’s matchup.
The Bobcats’ injury-filled season has filled an air of uncertainty after Solich and company started the season 5-1 and seemed in serious contention for the Mid-American Conference title.
Now, the Bobcats will have 10 days to reevaluate their injuries before facing an offensive-heavy Bowling Green team.
Bowling Green’s quarterback Matt Johnson average 415 passing yards, 186 more than Buffalo’s Joe Licata, and the team is coming off a 48-0 win over Kent State.
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