Saturday, Sept. 29 -- 2 p.m. ET
Peden Stadium -- Athens, OH
Peden Stadium -- Athens, OH
STAFF REPORT
It may be a non-conference game, but the Ohio Bobcats could really use a win -- any kind of win -- this Saturday when they meet the UMass Minutemen.
The Bobcats are coming off a painful 34-30 loss at Cincinnati. The Bearcats are undefeated, so it came against a relatively quality opponent.. But Ohio earned leads of 21-0 and 24-7 before UC came storming back.
It was the second loss in a row for Ohio, which fell short with its own comeback attempt one week earlier against Virginia.
UMass, meanwhile, is about to conclude the first half of its schedule. The Minutemen are 2-3, coming off a 49-31 win over Charlotte. That ended a three-game losing streak -- all on the road (Boston College, Georgia Southern and Florida International.
Opponents averaged 50.6 during that stretch, while UMass averaged 19.3 ppg. The Minutemen were much more productive in their two wins, averaging 56 ppg.
It may be a non-conference game, but the Ohio Bobcats could really use a win -- any kind of win -- this Saturday when they meet the UMass Minutemen.
The Bobcats are coming off a painful 34-30 loss at Cincinnati. The Bearcats are undefeated, so it came against a relatively quality opponent.. But Ohio earned leads of 21-0 and 24-7 before UC came storming back.
It was the second loss in a row for Ohio, which fell short with its own comeback attempt one week earlier against Virginia.
UMass, meanwhile, is about to conclude the first half of its schedule. The Minutemen are 2-3, coming off a 49-31 win over Charlotte. That ended a three-game losing streak -- all on the road (Boston College, Georgia Southern and Florida International.
Opponents averaged 50.6 during that stretch, while UMass averaged 19.3 ppg. The Minutemen were much more productive in their two wins, averaging 56 ppg.
Here’s more on the two teams. . .
UMASS MINUTEMEN (2-3)
➤➤ The Minutemen were a football only member of the MAC for several years, but are currently playing as an independent. Most of their home games are played at Warren McGurk Alumni Stadium in Hadley, MA. They also play a game at Gillette Stadium (Home of the New England Patriots) in Foxboro.
➤➤ Charlotte had more total yards (364-331) and first downs (22-16) than UMass in last week’s meeting.
➤➤ Marquis Young scored three TDs, for UMass. His first came on the opening kickoff, which he returned 93 yards for a score. That kicked off a 28-point first quarter for the Minutemen.
Young is averaging 5.5 ypc, making 60 trips for 327 yards.
➤➤ Young and Michael Curtis have a combined eight rushing TDs, over half of the Minutemen’s ground game scores.
➤➤ Junior QB Michael Curtis completed 12 of 19 passes for 189 yards with two touchdowns against Charlotte. He’s completing 62.2 percent of his passes for the year.
➤➤ Senior Andy Isabella leads the team in receptions (29), receiving yards (450) and receiving touchdowns (4).
OHIO BOBCATS (1-2)
➤➤ Quarterback Nathan Rourke has proved problematic for opposing defenses not only because of his arm but because of his legs as well. He set the program record for rushing touchdowns in a single season with 21, which tied him for third-most in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in 2017 with Washington running back Myles Gaskin and ranked as the most by a quarterback in the country last season.
Rourke’s 6.66 yards per carry a year ago rank as the fourth-highest in a single season in program history and ranked as the 11th-highest average in the country, finishing just behind former Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson (6.90) of Louisville.
➤➤ Rourke was a gain a dual threat for Ohio in its matchup with Ohio. He completed 12 of 27 passes for 178 yards with 1 TD and 1 interception. He also ran nine times for 96 yards and a score. For the season, is averagis 8.1 per carry.
➤➤ Overall, A.J. Ouellette leads Ohio rushers with 185 yards, while Maleek Irons has 159 yards and is averaging 6.0 ypc.
➤➤ Papi White owns a team high 16 receptions for 308 yards with two TDs.
➤➤ Kicker Louis Zervos had converted all 12 PATs and five of six field goals.
➤➤ Junior safety Javon Hagan topped Ohio defenders against Cincinnati with 11 tackles.
UMASS MINUTEMEN (2-3)
➤➤ The Minutemen were a football only member of the MAC for several years, but are currently playing as an independent. Most of their home games are played at Warren McGurk Alumni Stadium in Hadley, MA. They also play a game at Gillette Stadium (Home of the New England Patriots) in Foxboro.
➤➤ Charlotte had more total yards (364-331) and first downs (22-16) than UMass in last week’s meeting.
➤➤ Marquis Young scored three TDs, for UMass. His first came on the opening kickoff, which he returned 93 yards for a score. That kicked off a 28-point first quarter for the Minutemen.
Young is averaging 5.5 ypc, making 60 trips for 327 yards.
➤➤ Young and Michael Curtis have a combined eight rushing TDs, over half of the Minutemen’s ground game scores.
➤➤ Junior QB Michael Curtis completed 12 of 19 passes for 189 yards with two touchdowns against Charlotte. He’s completing 62.2 percent of his passes for the year.
➤➤ Senior Andy Isabella leads the team in receptions (29), receiving yards (450) and receiving touchdowns (4).
OHIO BOBCATS (1-2)
➤➤ Quarterback Nathan Rourke has proved problematic for opposing defenses not only because of his arm but because of his legs as well. He set the program record for rushing touchdowns in a single season with 21, which tied him for third-most in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in 2017 with Washington running back Myles Gaskin and ranked as the most by a quarterback in the country last season.
Rourke’s 6.66 yards per carry a year ago rank as the fourth-highest in a single season in program history and ranked as the 11th-highest average in the country, finishing just behind former Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson (6.90) of Louisville.
➤➤ Rourke was a gain a dual threat for Ohio in its matchup with Ohio. He completed 12 of 27 passes for 178 yards with 1 TD and 1 interception. He also ran nine times for 96 yards and a score. For the season, is averagis 8.1 per carry.
➤➤ Overall, A.J. Ouellette leads Ohio rushers with 185 yards, while Maleek Irons has 159 yards and is averaging 6.0 ypc.
➤➤ Papi White owns a team high 16 receptions for 308 yards with two TDs.
➤➤ Kicker Louis Zervos had converted all 12 PATs and five of six field goals.
➤➤ Junior safety Javon Hagan topped Ohio defenders against Cincinnati with 11 tackles.
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