Ohio Bobcats take first place from Temple
Owls
The Ohio Bobcats were victorious over the Temple Owls Tuesday 17 November, 31-23, and have taken over first place in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The victory brings the Bobcats record to 8-3 overall
and 6-1 in conference, while the Owls fall to 8-3 overall and 5-2 in conference.
Game highlights
Bobcats running back Vince Davidson got Ohio on the board first at 5:38 of the first quarter. His five-yard run, which got him to pay dirt, was good enough for 7-0 lead, going into the second quarter.
At 13:07 of the second quarter, Temple responded with a touchdown of their own. Owls running back Matt Brown scampered into the end zone from a yard out, and effectively tied the game. The Bobcats would
strike back half way through the second as Ohio quarterback Boo Jackson went to the air from 16 yards out and found wide receiver Riley Dunlop open for the touchdown.
Temple cut the lead to 14-10 with a 45-yard field goal from kicker Brian McManus but the Bobcats increased their lead back to seven with a 40 yard field goal with 14 seconds left in the half from Matt Weller.
The third quarter was a defensive battle between both squads as neither offence was able to get in striking distance.
The fourth opened with a Bobcats touchdown run from running back Donte Harden who scored from two yards out. Vince Davidson followed suit at 4:28 and broke through a hole and scored from 41 yards out which
brought the score to 31-10.
Temple responded quickly with a 21 yard strike from quarterback Mike Gerardi to wide out Michael Campbell. On the ensuing kickoff, Temple attempted an onside kick and was successful in getting the ball back.
They scored again with a 17 yard pass from Gerardi to Campbell with 1:13 left in the game. That would be as close as they came, as their next onside kick was recovered by the Bobcats, who ran the clock down.
Game statistics
Temple had more yards, longer possession and more first downs but in the end it proved not to be enough. Gerardi threw for 311 yards and two touchdowns on 28 completions, while Jackson only completed four of 12 for 78 yards and one touchdown.
Vince Davidson ran the ball extremely well; reaching 100 yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns.
Temple’s Michael Campbell was the leading receiver, accumulating 131 yards on 11 receptions and two touchdowns.
What’s next?
For Temple, the loss puts them on the outside looking in as Ohio holds the head to head tie-breaker. To have any chance of reaching the MAC championship game, they will need a victory in their last game against Miami (Ohio).
The victory by the Bobcats has them in the driver’s seat and a victory next week over Kent State would clinch the divisional title and place them in the championship game.
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