Bobcat Offense Stalls Against Toledo

By Rob Ogden

After snoozing past Wofford in their season-opener last week, Mid-American Conference play provided the Ohio Bobcats with a rude awakening.

Ohio’s offense failed to get anything going against a Toledo team that allowed 41 points last week, and fell to the Rockets (1-1) 20-13.

“It was one of the poorer games we have played in some time,” said Ohio coach Frank Solich. “It’s clear we didn’t have our guys prepared the way the needed to be.”

Ohio quarterback Boo Jackson completed 17 of 27 attempts for 137 yards and one touchdown, however it was his three interceptions thrown inside Ohio territory that doomed the Bobcats.

13 of Toledo’s 20 points came off of Jackson interceptions.

“If I didn’t have those turnovers, it would have been a completely different ball game,” Jackson said.

Ohio also struggled to establish any type of rhythm with the running game as the Bobcats rushed for a mere 46 yards.

As bad as the offense was, the special teams may have been worse. Aside from a 49-yard field goal from Matt Weller, the unit underperformed all night.

Two muffed punts and poor kickoff return coverage led to stellar field position for the Rockets.

“Special teams was horrific,” Solich said. “Maybe the worst I’ve been associated with in a while.”

The one bright spot for the Bobcats was the defense, which played well all night despite being often backed up against their own goal line.

“Of the three units, they played the best,” Solich said about the defense. “We gave up some key plays at times but they kept us in the game. That’s what you ask of your defense. You have got to make plays on offense and on special teams and we did not do that.”

Toledo’s only scoring drive that did not come after a turnover started with 6:35 remaining in the third quarter. A 14 play, 84-yard drive ensued and a 14-yard strike from Austin Dantin to Kenny Stafford gave Toledo the lead for good.

Despite the loss, the players know they must move forward.

“This is one we have to learn from and then put behind us,” Ohio receiver LaVon Brazill said.

“Coming off this loss, all we want to do is win,” Jackson added.