SATURDAY, DEC. 3 -- NOON -- ESPN
DETROIT, MI -- The Ohio Bobcats have just one blemish on their 2022 conference record. That is a 31-24 overtime loss at Kent State back on Oct. 1. Since then, the 'Cats have run off eight straight, and in all but one of those victories, Ohio has scored at least 32 points. Still, the Green and White figure as slight underdogs for Saturday's MAC Championship game against Toledo at Ford Field in Detroit. That contest, scheduled to kick off at noon, will be shown on ESPN.
Toledo actually has three conference losses, with two of them coming over the last two weeks. However, the Rockets had previously clinched the MAC West title, so getting healthy for a championship game was part of the weekly calculations. The question remains, though, just how healthy did they get?
Starter Dequan Finn has battled injuries, while freshman Tucker Gleason has been nicked up, as well. Of course, there won't be a lot of sympathy from Ohio fans. They're still coming to grips with the loss of their own quarterback. MAC Offensive Player of the Year Kurtis Rourke was injured Nov. 15 against Ball State and is out for the season.
Toledo's last MAC title was in 2017. But if the Rockets are hungry for a championship, Ohio must be famished. The last Bobcat crown was in 1968. That Ohio team went 10-1, with the only loss coming against Richmond (49-42) in the Tangerine Bowl. There was no actual MAC championship "game" until 1997, after the league divided into two divisions.
The Bobcats and the Rockets have met 54 times since 1945, with Toledo owning a 32-21-1 advantage. The two teams last met in 2021, when UT posted a 35-23 victory.
Ohio lost a total of nine games in 2021, as Tim Albin took over for Bobcats icon Frank Solich during summer months leading up to fall practice. This year, the 'Cats bounced back, with Albin taking MAC Coach of the Year honors. Roark was named Vern Smith Leadership Award winner and also earned MAC Offensive Player of the Year laurels.
Three Bobcats were named First Team All-MAC -- all on offense. Toledo put five players on the team -- four on defense.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
TOLEDO ROCKETS (7-5, 5-3 MAC)
~~ UT won five of its first six MAC games this year, with the only loss in that span coming at Buffalo (34-27). After clinching the MAC West title, Toledo lost to Bowling Green (42-35) and Western Michigan (20-14).
~~ Sophomore DeQuan Finn appeared in 10 games this year. He completed 58.6 percent of his passes, good for 1,973 yards with 21 TDs and 12 interceptions. Freshman Tucker Gleason has filled in at at times, appearing in eight games. He has completed 47.5 percent of his attempts, totaling 834 yards with eight passing TDs and three picks. Both Finn (5.5 ypc., 8 TDs) and Gleason (4.4 ypc., 3 TDs) are also run threats.
~~ Jerjuan Newton tops UT receivers and ranks 10th among MAC receivers. He averages 59.3 ypc, with 42 catches for 711 yards with nine touchdowns. Tight end Jamal Turner has eight TDs among his 25 receptions.
~~ RBs JacQuez Stuart and Peny Boone hav combined for 211 carries, 976 yards and four touchdowns.
~~ The Rockets rank second (MAC) in scoring offense (33.3 ppg) -- one spot behind Ohio. They are fourth in scoring defense (27.1 ppg).
~~ Toledo's is third in rushing (173.2 ypg) and fourth in passing 233.9 ypg).
~~ UT's defense is fifth in rush defense (150.3 ypg) and first in pass defense (187.3 ypg).
OHIO BOBCATS (9-3, 7-1 MAC)
~~ Ohio's rise to MAC East champs was built on success in many areas, but its hard to underestimate the contributions of Rourke. His marked improvement over the previous year enabled him to lead the league in total offense (318.6 ypg), passing percentage (69.1%), passing yards (3,256), passing TDs (25) and passing efficiency (167.7).
~~ Harris has had a game-and-a-half to settle in at QB. He got the start in the season finale, which was a key matchup against Bowling Green, and had a hand in four scores. Three game on runs as he carried 12 times for a total of 65 yards. He also completed 10-of-21 passes for a total of 196 yards and one TD.
~~ Ohio's offense churned out 384 yards against BGSU, holding the ball for 36:19 and registering 21 first downs. The Bobcats did not commit a turnover and forced the Falcons into four turnovers. Three were interceptions.
~~ Sieh Banguara, who is fresh off earning MAC Freshman of the Year honors, has been a been a productive weapon, particularly in recent weeks. He registered 96 yards against Bowling Green and was over 140 yards in each of the two previous games. He recorded four TDs rushing and one receiving over the last three contests.
~~ Senior Sam Wiglusz was named to the All-MAC First Team. He caught just one pass against BGSU. That went for 20 yards and a touchdown. He has 66 receptions on the year, totaling 814 yards with 11 TDs.
~~ Ohio tops the MAC in scoring (34.0 ppg) and is ninth in scoring defense (29.3 ppg).
~~ The Bobcats rank ninth (MAC) in rushing (142.3 ypg) and first in passing (295.5 ypg).
~~ Ohio is second against the run (136.0 ypg) and 12th/last in pass defense (305.3 ypg).
~~ The 'Cats are winless in four championship game appearances -- all under Frank Solich. The most recent appearance was in 2016, when Ohio fell to Western Michigan 29-23 after trailing at halftime 23-7.