Vanderbilt Stadium -- Nashville, TN
Due to a Hurricane Florence hitting the east coast, Saturday’s matchup has been moved to Vanderbilt Stadium on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Ohio, meanwhile, was off last Saturday but opened the season on a winning note the previous week. After trailing 21-10 to Howard, OU scored 21 straight points before holding off the Bison’s challenge.
Here’s more on the two teams . . .
VIRGINIA CAVALIERS (1-1)
➤➤ After trailing 10-7 early, UVA outscored Richmond 35-3 the rest of the way for a lopsided 42-13 win to open the 2018 season.
➤➤ Virginia took an quick lead at Indiana last week, driving 71 yards on 11 plays with Bryce Perkins hitting Olamide Zaccheaus for a 1-yard TD to finish the opening drive.
Indiana returned the favor, driving 75 yards for a score on its first drive. Indiana then forced a fumble on the kickoff return and scored two plays later.
Both teams scored just seven points over the rest of the game.
➤➤ Quarterback Bryce Perkins had a career-long 47-yard run among his team-high 25 carries. He also passed for 106 yards and two TDs while completing 12 of 24 attempts.
➤➤ Senior Jordan Ellis chipped in 63 yards on 12 carries.
➤➤ Junior Hasise Dubois and junior RB Olamide Zaccheaus combined for nine receptions and 55 yards with one TD.
➤➤ Sophomore safety Joey Blount had a big game against Indiana, registering 13 tackles (12 solo).
OHIO BOBCATS (1-0)
➤➤ The ‘Cats managed to pull out a win despite being outgained in total yards 645-423. Howard picked up 484 yards through the air, completing 27 of 53, but OU picked off two passes and recovered two fumbles for a +4 in turnover margin.
➤➤ Dynamic quarterback Nathan Rourke struggled mightily early, complting just two-of-eight passes for 44 yards Junior Quinton Maxwell entered in Rourke’s place and rallied the offense. He connected on 17-of-25 pass attempts, good for 233 yards and two touchdowns. Rourke is expected to return to the starting job against Virginia.
➤➤ Papi White grabbed eight passes for 154 receiving yards and one TD.
➤➤ A.J. Ouelette (1759/0) and Maleek Irons combined for 26 carries and 111 yards. Maxwell’s eight carries produced 21 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
➤➤ Safety Kylan Nelson and linebacker Evan Croutch registered a team-high nine tackles each. Croutch and DB IIyaas Motley each picked off a Bison pass.
➤➤ WR DL Knock (5-8, 194) returned three kicks, with one going 99 yards to open the second half and put OU in front.