Key returnees give Ohio foundation to defend crown
SEASON PREVIEW: OHIO
2024 RECORD: 11-3 (7-1 MAC)
2025 MAC HEAD COACHES POLL: 3rd
MRO STAFF
Last year was a banner year for Ohio, which won its first MAC football title since 1968. After losing to arch-rival Miami in October, the 'Cats realed off six straight victories. Among them was a 38-3 thrashing of Miami in the league championship game and a 30-27 win over Jacksonville State in the StaffDNA cure bowl.
While Ohio took some . . .
2024 RECORD: 11-3 (7-1 MAC)
2025 MAC HEAD COACHES POLL: 3rd
MRO STAFF
Last year was a banner year for Ohio, which won its first MAC football title since 1968. After losing to arch-rival Miami in October, the 'Cats realed off six straight victories. Among them was a 38-3 thrashing of Miami in the league championship game and a 30-27 win over Jacksonville State in the StaffDNA cure bowl.
While Ohio took some . . .
Parker Navarro passes during the first meeting with Miami last year. (MVSmith/MRO) . . . big hits from graduation and the portal, the Bobcats also return a bunch of playmakers and have already plugged some holes via the portal.
Head coach Tim Albin moved on to Coastal Carolina, but Ohio promoted from within. Associate head coach Brian Smith moved to the top spot, again giving the program great continuity.
Nobody in the league has looked past Ohio in a long time, and it will once again be expected to be a top contender to reach the title game in Detroit.
OFFENSE:
• Quarterback Parker Navarro returns after a highly successful 2024 campaign. Not only did he pass for 2,423 yards and 13 TDs, he was second among Bobcat runners with 1,054 yards on 160 carries. He averaged 6.6 ypc and rushed for 18 TDs. Watching his video from the MAC Championship game is a study of the dual-threat QB on which Ohio's offense thrives.
• Leading rusher Anthony Tyus III departed (Seattle Seahawks) after contributing 1,215 yards and nine TDs on the ground in 2024. Ohio, however, hit the jackpot with returning transfer Sieh Bangura. He was previously very productive in the Bobcats program before joining the Minnesota program for one season. Bangura churned out a total of 1,889 yards (20 TDs) for Ohio during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He also added another 385 yards (3 TDs) receiving.
• Wideout Coleman Owen (78 catches, 1,245 yards, 5 TDs) is now with the Baltimore Colts, but Chase Hendricks and Rodney Harris combined for 63 receptions, 860 yards and a TD in 2024.
• There are plenty of seniors on the offensive line. Among them is LT Davion Weatherspoon.
• Ohio finished second among MAC offenses in conference-only scoring offense (33.3 ppg) last year and appears to have filled in where needed for another productive campaign.
Head coach Tim Albin moved on to Coastal Carolina, but Ohio promoted from within. Associate head coach Brian Smith moved to the top spot, again giving the program great continuity.
Nobody in the league has looked past Ohio in a long time, and it will once again be expected to be a top contender to reach the title game in Detroit.
OFFENSE:
• Quarterback Parker Navarro returns after a highly successful 2024 campaign. Not only did he pass for 2,423 yards and 13 TDs, he was second among Bobcat runners with 1,054 yards on 160 carries. He averaged 6.6 ypc and rushed for 18 TDs. Watching his video from the MAC Championship game is a study of the dual-threat QB on which Ohio's offense thrives.
• Leading rusher Anthony Tyus III departed (Seattle Seahawks) after contributing 1,215 yards and nine TDs on the ground in 2024. Ohio, however, hit the jackpot with returning transfer Sieh Bangura. He was previously very productive in the Bobcats program before joining the Minnesota program for one season. Bangura churned out a total of 1,889 yards (20 TDs) for Ohio during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He also added another 385 yards (3 TDs) receiving.
• Wideout Coleman Owen (78 catches, 1,245 yards, 5 TDs) is now with the Baltimore Colts, but Chase Hendricks and Rodney Harris combined for 63 receptions, 860 yards and a TD in 2024.
• There are plenty of seniors on the offensive line. Among them is LT Davion Weatherspoon.
• Ohio finished second among MAC offenses in conference-only scoring offense (33.3 ppg) last year and appears to have filled in where needed for another productive campaign.
DEFENSE:
• Another HUGE asset for Ohio last year was its defense. The Bobcats ranked first (14.9 ppg) among MAC teams in scoring defense during league play.
• Portal losses include LB Shay Taylor (73 tackles, now with Charlotte) and DL Bradley Weaver (45 tackles, 8.5 sacks, now with Rutgers).
• The secondary has experience, especially at safety. Senior Adonis Williams Jr. and sophomore DJ Walker are back. Senior corner Tank Peterson picked off four enemy aerials and registered 51 tackles in 2024.
• DE Anas Luqman transfered in from Arkansas Pine Bluff and should help solidify the D-line.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
• Kicker Gianni Spetic is now with Memphis. The Bobcats will fill that void with David Dellenbach out of UCLA. The punting competition went into fall camp.
• Another HUGE asset for Ohio last year was its defense. The Bobcats ranked first (14.9 ppg) among MAC teams in scoring defense during league play.
• Portal losses include LB Shay Taylor (73 tackles, now with Charlotte) and DL Bradley Weaver (45 tackles, 8.5 sacks, now with Rutgers).
• The secondary has experience, especially at safety. Senior Adonis Williams Jr. and sophomore DJ Walker are back. Senior corner Tank Peterson picked off four enemy aerials and registered 51 tackles in 2024.
• DE Anas Luqman transfered in from Arkansas Pine Bluff and should help solidify the D-line.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
• Kicker Gianni Spetic is now with Memphis. The Bobcats will fill that void with David Dellenbach out of UCLA. The punting competition went into fall camp.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Ohio has its systems, and it has its coaches. Smith's promotion to head coach should keep the 'Cats going on what has been a very successful path for the last decade.
Ohio has enough returning in key spots to make the 2025 team look a lot like 2024. However, in these portal times, opponents are ever-changing,.and the MAC has been a difficult place to stay on top of in recent times.
Both road non-conference games are at Big Ten foes -- Rutgers (Thursday, Aug. 28) and Ohio State. Ohio hosts West Virgina Sept. 6 and Gardner-Webb in Week Four. Toledo is not on the schedule, but neither is Kent State or Akron.
Arch-rival Miami comes to Athens on Nov. 4 and the Bobcats finish regular season play Nov. 28 at Buffalo. That could be a showdown of contenders.
Ohio has its systems, and it has its coaches. Smith's promotion to head coach should keep the 'Cats going on what has been a very successful path for the last decade.
Ohio has enough returning in key spots to make the 2025 team look a lot like 2024. However, in these portal times, opponents are ever-changing,.and the MAC has been a difficult place to stay on top of in recent times.
Both road non-conference games are at Big Ten foes -- Rutgers (Thursday, Aug. 28) and Ohio State. Ohio hosts West Virgina Sept. 6 and Gardner-Webb in Week Four. Toledo is not on the schedule, but neither is Kent State or Akron.
Arch-rival Miami comes to Athens on Nov. 4 and the Bobcats finish regular season play Nov. 28 at Buffalo. That could be a showdown of contenders.
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