Harris, Vakos shine as Bobcats nip Wyoming in OT
MRO STAFF REPORT
TUSCON, AZ -- Nate Vakos kicked three field goals and CJ Harris tossed two touchdowns to lift Ohio over Wyoming in Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl action Friday at Arizona Stadium.
Vakos' third field goal of the day (56 yards) with four seconds left forced overtime. After John Hoyland kicked a 29-yard field goal on the Cowboy's first OT possession, Ohio scored its game winner five plays later when . . .
TUSCON, AZ -- Nate Vakos kicked three field goals and CJ Harris tossed two touchdowns to lift Ohio over Wyoming in Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl action Friday at Arizona Stadium.
Vakos' third field goal of the day (56 yards) with four seconds left forced overtime. After John Hoyland kicked a 29-yard field goal on the Cowboy's first OT possession, Ohio scored its game winner five plays later when . . .
. . . Harris hit Tyler Foster on a 10-yard score. It was the junior tight end's only catch of the contest.
"Emotions were high, and I was feeling pretty confident in myself," said Harris. "It was another one-on-one matchup, and I said, 'I have to take it'. Tyler [Foster] came down with the ball and we celebrated in the end zone."
With its first-ever victory over Wyoming, Ohio raised its season record to 10-4. It was the 'Cats' first 10-win season since 2011 and fourth in program history. Wyoming fell to 7-6 with its third straight loss.
Playing without injured quarterback Kurtis Rourke, the Bobcats got a solid performance out of sophomore CJ Harris. He completed 20-of-33 pass attempts, totaling 184 yards with two TDs. He also ran 10 times for a total of 52 yards.
Jacoby Jones led Ohio receivers with three catches for 44 yards and a score. Miles Cross and Sam Wiglusz record four catches each and combined for 66 yards.
The Bobcats run game came through with 201 yards. Most of it came from Sieh Bangura, who finished off his stellar freshman campaign with 25 carries for 138 yards (5.5 ypc) and one touchdown.
It was a tight game throughout, with several lead changes and each team staying within one score. Both teams scored on their first possession.
Jordon Vaughn's 17-yard run gave Wyoming a 7-0 lead. The Bobcats then retaliated with a 34-yard pass from Harris to Jones. When Jonah Wieland hit Justin Holloway with on a two-point conversion, Ohio led 8-7.
The Bobcats only turnover of the game set up Wyoming's next scores. Cole DeMarzo recovered a fumble on an Ohio punt return, setting up the Cowboys at Ohio's 17. Andrew Peasley then hit Treton Welch for a touchdown on the next play to put Wyoming up 14-8.
Defenses prevailed in the second quarter, limited each team to a field goal. Valkos hit a 43 yarder at 13:28 and Hoyland was successful on a 56-yard effort with four seconds left. That gave UW a 17-11 halftime edge.
Bangur'a 3-yard run a 5:14 was the only score of the third period. That moved Ohio back in front, 18-17, and Vakos nailed a 45-yard kick at 4:17 of the fourth quarter to put the 'Cats up by four points.
Wyoming needed a touchdown, and it got it with a six-play, 75-yard drive that took just 2:13 off the clock. Vaughn's 5-yard scamper finished the drive and the PAT kick put Wyoming up 30-27 with 2:04 to play.
Harris completed six-of-eight passes and the Bobcats converted three third downs -- one by penalty -- on Ohio's final possession of regulation. Given a shot from 56 yards, Vakos split the uprights to tie the game. Ohio then won it with a touchdown in overtime.
"Emotions were high, and I was feeling pretty confident in myself," said Harris. "It was another one-on-one matchup, and I said, 'I have to take it'. Tyler [Foster] came down with the ball and we celebrated in the end zone."
With its first-ever victory over Wyoming, Ohio raised its season record to 10-4. It was the 'Cats' first 10-win season since 2011 and fourth in program history. Wyoming fell to 7-6 with its third straight loss.
Playing without injured quarterback Kurtis Rourke, the Bobcats got a solid performance out of sophomore CJ Harris. He completed 20-of-33 pass attempts, totaling 184 yards with two TDs. He also ran 10 times for a total of 52 yards.
Jacoby Jones led Ohio receivers with three catches for 44 yards and a score. Miles Cross and Sam Wiglusz record four catches each and combined for 66 yards.
The Bobcats run game came through with 201 yards. Most of it came from Sieh Bangura, who finished off his stellar freshman campaign with 25 carries for 138 yards (5.5 ypc) and one touchdown.
It was a tight game throughout, with several lead changes and each team staying within one score. Both teams scored on their first possession.
Jordon Vaughn's 17-yard run gave Wyoming a 7-0 lead. The Bobcats then retaliated with a 34-yard pass from Harris to Jones. When Jonah Wieland hit Justin Holloway with on a two-point conversion, Ohio led 8-7.
The Bobcats only turnover of the game set up Wyoming's next scores. Cole DeMarzo recovered a fumble on an Ohio punt return, setting up the Cowboys at Ohio's 17. Andrew Peasley then hit Treton Welch for a touchdown on the next play to put Wyoming up 14-8.
Defenses prevailed in the second quarter, limited each team to a field goal. Valkos hit a 43 yarder at 13:28 and Hoyland was successful on a 56-yard effort with four seconds left. That gave UW a 17-11 halftime edge.
Bangur'a 3-yard run a 5:14 was the only score of the third period. That moved Ohio back in front, 18-17, and Vakos nailed a 45-yard kick at 4:17 of the fourth quarter to put the 'Cats up by four points.
Wyoming needed a touchdown, and it got it with a six-play, 75-yard drive that took just 2:13 off the clock. Vaughn's 5-yard scamper finished the drive and the PAT kick put Wyoming up 30-27 with 2:04 to play.
Harris completed six-of-eight passes and the Bobcats converted three third downs -- one by penalty -- on Ohio's final possession of regulation. Given a shot from 56 yards, Vakos split the uprights to tie the game. Ohio then won it with a touchdown in overtime.
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