BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Ohio’s defense forced four turnovers and sophomore quarterback Nathan Rourke scored a total of four touchdowns as the Bobcats defeated Bowling Green 48-30 on Saturday afternoon at Doyt Perry Stadium.
With his three rushing touchdowns, Rourke . . .
With his three rushing touchdowns, Rourke . . .
. . . moved to seventh all-time in single-season rushing touchdowns at Ohio. He's totaled 12 rushing touchdowns so far this season and finished the game with 143 rushing yards to lead the Bobcats. Rourke also completed seven passes for 105 yards.
Ohio took the lead for good when Rourke broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter.
The Bobcats finished the day with 335 rushing yards, a season-high. The last time Ohio eclipsed 300 rushing yards was at Kansas in 2016 (329).
Ohio took the lead for good when Rourke broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter.
The Bobcats finished the day with 335 rushing yards, a season-high. The last time Ohio eclipsed 300 rushing yards was at Kansas in 2016 (329).
"You would think that they would have someone covering the quarterback," Rourke said. "We were trying to exploit that. Everyone's eyes were on the running back and I was able to walk in. I had good blocks downfield from Cam (Odom) and Dorian (Brown)."
The win improved Ohio to 5-2 (2-1 MAC), while Bowling Green sliped to 1-6 (1-2 MAC)
Bowling Green’s four turnovers -- two fumbles and two interceptions -- resulted in 21 points for the Bobcats. Redshirt senior cornerback Bradd Ellis and middle linebacker Dylan Conner each had an interception.
Redshirt junior running back A.J. Ouellette picked up 123 yards on the ground, along with two touchdowns. It marked the fourth game this season that Ouellette rushed for over 100 yards.
Redshirt junior Andrew Meyer led the Bobcats at wide receiver with three receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown came early in the fourth quarter when Meyer and Rourke connected for the 40-yard score.
Redshirt sophomore safety Javon Hagan and redshirt junior linebacker Evan Croutch each collected 11 tackles on the day. Croutch had a tackle for loss, while Hagan had a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. RS senior linebacker Quentin Poling had ten tackles and two tackles for loss, along with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
"We knew we had to be serious," Poling said. "We had played horrendously the last two times here. We had a lot to prove to ourselves. Coming off of a loss, we made turnovers a big part of practice, just attacking and protecting the ball."
Bowling Green accounted for the opening stanza’s only scoring, jumping out to a 6-0 lead on two Jake Suder field goals.
The scoring picked up for both sides after that as 31 points were scored in the second period.
Oullette’s 6-yard run got things started. BG quickly struck back, covering 75 yards in six plays. Andrew Clair finished from three yards out. The freshman led Bowling Green ball carriers ;with 18 carries for 148 yards and two touchdowns
Ohio’s defense provided the next score with a 15-yard Brad Ellis interception.
After another Suder field goal for BG, Rourke put the visiting Bobcats in front 21-16 with a 7-yard run before with 1:07 just before intermission.
Bowling Green took its last lead with a 10-yard James Morgan to Hunter Folkertsma pass at 3:41 of the third period. Morgan completed just 16 of 41 passes for 182 yards with one TD and one interception.
Bowling Green’s final lead was momentary as Rourke took Ohio’s next snap from scrimmage 75 yards to put the ‘Cats in front 27-23. The lead expanded to 41-23 with two TDs early in the fourth quarter.
Each team added one more touchdown in the remaining time.
Ohio begins a three-game home stand next week when it hosts Kent State (2 p.m. ET). Bowling Green remains at home to host Northern Illinois (2 p.m. ET)
(OU Athletics/MRO Staff)
The win improved Ohio to 5-2 (2-1 MAC), while Bowling Green sliped to 1-6 (1-2 MAC)
Bowling Green’s four turnovers -- two fumbles and two interceptions -- resulted in 21 points for the Bobcats. Redshirt senior cornerback Bradd Ellis and middle linebacker Dylan Conner each had an interception.
Redshirt junior running back A.J. Ouellette picked up 123 yards on the ground, along with two touchdowns. It marked the fourth game this season that Ouellette rushed for over 100 yards.
Redshirt junior Andrew Meyer led the Bobcats at wide receiver with three receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown came early in the fourth quarter when Meyer and Rourke connected for the 40-yard score.
Redshirt sophomore safety Javon Hagan and redshirt junior linebacker Evan Croutch each collected 11 tackles on the day. Croutch had a tackle for loss, while Hagan had a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. RS senior linebacker Quentin Poling had ten tackles and two tackles for loss, along with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
"We knew we had to be serious," Poling said. "We had played horrendously the last two times here. We had a lot to prove to ourselves. Coming off of a loss, we made turnovers a big part of practice, just attacking and protecting the ball."
Bowling Green accounted for the opening stanza’s only scoring, jumping out to a 6-0 lead on two Jake Suder field goals.
The scoring picked up for both sides after that as 31 points were scored in the second period.
Oullette’s 6-yard run got things started. BG quickly struck back, covering 75 yards in six plays. Andrew Clair finished from three yards out. The freshman led Bowling Green ball carriers ;with 18 carries for 148 yards and two touchdowns
Ohio’s defense provided the next score with a 15-yard Brad Ellis interception.
After another Suder field goal for BG, Rourke put the visiting Bobcats in front 21-16 with a 7-yard run before with 1:07 just before intermission.
Bowling Green took its last lead with a 10-yard James Morgan to Hunter Folkertsma pass at 3:41 of the third period. Morgan completed just 16 of 41 passes for 182 yards with one TD and one interception.
Bowling Green’s final lead was momentary as Rourke took Ohio’s next snap from scrimmage 75 yards to put the ‘Cats in front 27-23. The lead expanded to 41-23 with two TDs early in the fourth quarter.
Each team added one more touchdown in the remaining time.
Ohio begins a three-game home stand next week when it hosts Kent State (2 p.m. ET). Bowling Green remains at home to host Northern Illinois (2 p.m. ET)
(OU Athletics/MRO Staff)
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