2025 Ohio Bobcats football | |
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Conference | Mid-American Conference |
Record | 3–2 (1–0 MAC) |
Head coach |
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Offensive coordinator | Scott Isphording (4th season) |
Offensive scheme | Spread option |
Defensive coordinator | John Hauser (2nd season) |
Base defense | 4–2–5 |
Home stadium | Peden Stadium |
Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Central Michigan | 1 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ohio | 1 | – | 0 | 3 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Buffalo | 1 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Western Michigan | 1 | – | 0 | 2 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Toledo | 1 | – | 1 | 3 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ball State | 0 | – | 0 | 1 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Miami (OH) | 0 | – | 0 | 1 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Northern Illinois | 0 | – | 0 | 1 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UMass | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bowling Green | 0 | – | 1 | 2 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kent State | 0 | – | 1 | 1 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Akron* | 0 | – | 1 | 1 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Eastern Michigan | 0 | – | 1 | 1 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Championship: December 6, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 2025 Ohio Bobcats football team represents Ohio University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bobcats are led by Brian Smith in his first year as the head coach. [1] [2] The Bobcats play home games at Peden Stadium, located in Athens, Ohio. [3]
Ohio entered the season coming off of 2024 season with a school record 11 wins and three straight seasons with at least 10 wins. [4] [5] The Bobcats are the defending MAC Champion after Ohio avenged its only MAC regular season loss with a 38–3 win over rival Miami in the 2024 MAC Championship Game. [6] [7] They won the MAC Championship for the first time since 1968. [8] Ohio entered the season on an FBS leading seven game winning streak and a six game winning streak in bowl games after defeating Conference USA Champion Jacksonville State in the Cure Bowl. [9] [10] Brian Smith enters his first full year as head coach after earning his first win in the bowl having replaced Tim Albin after Albin took the head coach position at Charlotte. [11] [12] [13]
Ohio entered the season ranked 94th out of 135 FBS teams and fourth in the MAC in returning production as determined by the SP+ rankings. [14] Among the returners is starting quarterback Parker Navarro who entered the year with a 12–2 record as a starting quarterback. [15] After a somewhat sluggish start, Navarro caught fire during the 2024 season ending seven game winning streak. [16] Navarro won MAC Offensive Player of the week four times in the regular season and again in the MAC Championship and was MVP of the bowl win. [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22]
Ohio opened the season at Big Ten opponent Rutgers. [23] After falling being by 17 following a blocked punt late in the second quarter, Ohio tied the game in the second half but could not get the win as the Scarlet Knights won 34–31 with a 4th quarter field goal. [24] Navarro did well in the loss with 239 yards passing and 93 yards rushing. [25] Ohio hosted a Big 12 Conference opponent West Virginia in week 2 in front of a record crowd at Peden Stadium. [26] Ohio overcame an early deficit to take the lead and held on through three Navarro 2nd half interceptions, with the defense forcing a three and out on each ensuing WVU drive, to defeat the Mountaineers by a score of 17–10. [27] The following week, Ohio travelled to Ohio State to take on the #1 team in program history. Navarro missed most of the first half with a hand injury but came back to hit Chase Hendricks on a second half touchdown to pull the Bobcats within 13–9 before the Buckeye offense got going and Ohio State pulled away for a 37–9 win. [28] The Bobcats ended non-conference play by hosting FCS. Gardner-Webb took an early lead but Ohio's offense took control of the game in a 52–35 win to get back to .500 on the season. [29]
Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Source |
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August 28 | 6:00 p.m. | at Rutgers * | BTN | L 31–34 | 46,907 | [30] | |
September 6 | 4:00 p.m. | West Virginia * | ESPNU | W 17–10 | 26,740 | [31] | |
September 13 | 7:00 p.m. | at No. 1 Ohio State * | Peacock | L 9–37 | 105,765 | [32] | |
September 20 | 3:30 p.m. | Gardner–Webb * |
| ESPN+ | W 52–35 | 22,312 | [33] |
September 27 | 12:00 p.m. | Bowling Green |
| CBSSN | W 35–20 | 20,027 | [34] |
October 4 | 12:00 p.m. | at Ball State | CBSSN | ||||
October 18 | 3:30 p.m. | Northern Illinois ![]() |
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October 25 | at Eastern Michigan | ||||||
November 4 | 7:00 p.m. | Miami (OH) |
| ESPN2/ESPNU | |||
November 11 | 7:30 p.m. | at Western Michigan | ESPN2/ESPNU | ||||
November 18 | 7:00 p.m. | UMass |
| ESPN2/ESPNU/CBSSN | |||
November 28 | 12:00 p.m. | at Buffalo | ESPNU/CBSSN | ||||
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The MAC Football Kickoff was held on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at the Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan from 9:00 am EDT to 1:30 pm EDT. [37] Ohio was represented by Head Coach Brian Smith, quarterback Parker Navarro, and safety DJ Walker. [38]
On July 24 the MAC announced the coaches preseason poll. [39] Ohio was picked to finish third in the conference. [40] They received three votes to win the MAC Championship. [41]
Award | Player | Position | Year | Ref |
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Maxwell Award | Parker Navarro | QB | Gr. | [42] [43] |
Jim Thorpe Award | Tank Pearson | CB | Gr. | [44] [45] |
DJ Walker | S | RS-So. | ||
Walter Camp Award | Parker Navarro | QB | Gr. | [46] [47] |
Davey O'Brien Award | Parker Navarro | QB | Gr. | [48] [49] |
John Mackey Award | Mason Williams | TE | RS-So. | [50] [51] |
Bednarik Award | DJ Walker | S | RS-So. | [52] [53] |
Manning Award | Parker Navarro | QB | Gr. | [54] [55] |
Pregame line | Over/under |
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Rutgers -15.5 | 53.5 [56] |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Bobcats | 7 | 10 | 14 | 0 | 31 |
Scarlet Knights | 7 | 24 | 0 | 3 | 34 |
at SHI Stadium • Piscataway, New Jersey
Game information |
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Statistics | OHIO | RUTG |
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First downs | 24 | 24 |
Plays–yards | 62-440 | 59-399 |
Rushes–yards | 31-201 | 36-147 |
Passing yards | 239 | 252 |
Passing: comp–att–int | 21-31-0 | 18-23-0 |
Time of possession | 28:15 | 31:45 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
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Ohio | Passing | Parker Navarro | 21/31, 239 yards, 3 TD |
Rushing | Parker Navarro | 9 rushes, 93 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Chase Hendricks | 9 receptions, 115 yards | |
Rutgers | Passing | Athan Kaliakmanis | 18/23, 252 yards, 2 TD |
Rushing | Antwan Raymond | 14 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Ian Strong | 7 receptions, 100 yards |
Ohio opened the season on a Week 1 Thursday game at Rutgers in SHI Stadium. [64] Rutgers was led by 17th year head coach Greg Schiano who is 12–4 in season openers at Rutgers. [65] Ohio entered 1–2 all-time against the Scarlet Knights. [66] The two teams had last met in 2011 when Rutgers scored a 38–26 win. [67]
Rutgers defeated Ohio 34–31. The Scarlet Knights took advantage of several key moments, including a blocked punt returned for a touchdown, and a perfect 5-for-5 on fourth-down conversions, including a game sealing 10-yard completion, to snap Ohio’s seven game winning streak. [68] The Scarlet Knights set the tone early with a 12-play, 75-yard scoring drive to open the game. After converting a 4th and 3 earlier, running back Antoine Raymond capped the methodical drive with a 14-yard touchdown run on a 4th a 2, putting Rutgers on the board first. [69] Ohio responded with a 10 play drive ending in a Mason Williams touchdown reception from Parker Navarro. [70] Rutgers responded with another long drive but were held to a short Jai Patel field goal. After holding Ohio to a punt, Rutgers capitalized with a quick 54-yard touchdown pass from Athan Kaliakmanis to DT Sheffield who got behind the Ohio defense on the first play of the drive. [71] Ohio responded with a 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jake Bruno and the ensuing drive to make the score 17–14. [72] Rutgers went up by 10 points again after Kaliakmanis connected with KJ Duff for a 6-yard touchdown pass. The Bobcats were forced to punt when a low snap led to a blocked kick by Kaj Sanders. The ball was recovered in the end zone by Cam Miller for a Rutgers touchdown, giving the Scarlet Knights a commanding 31–14 lead. Ohio stayed in the game with a David Dellenbach field goal just before the half to get within two scores. [73]
Parker Navarro engineered back-to-back scoring drives on Ohio’s first two second half drives. [74] First, he ran for a 17-yard touchdown, and on the next possession after forcing Rutgers' only punt, he threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jake Bruno to tie the game at 31–31. [75] Rutgers went 77-yards and used 7:56 of game clock and retook the lead with another short Patel field goal with 11:14 remaining. [76] The Bobcats were forced to punt. [77] Rutgers was able to seal the game, holding the ball for 12-plays, with a 4th and 7 converted with a 10-yard pass from Kaliakmanis to Sheffield that allowed them to run out the clock. [78]
Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis led the offense, throwing for 252 yards and two touchdowns. [79] Antwan Raymond had 88 yards rushing and a touchdown while Ian Strong had 100 yards receiving. Ohio's offense was propelled by the dual-threat abilities of Parker Navarro, who threw for 239 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 93 yards and a score. Despite the loss, Navarro was named MAC Offensive Player of the Week. [80] This marked the fourth regular season week in a row for Navarro as well as being Offensive MVP of the MAC Championship and MVP of the bowl win. Ohio had 440 yards of offense, 41 more than Rutgers, in the loss. [81] Chase Hendricks had 9 receptions for 115 yards to lead Ohio’s receivers. [82] . Adonis Williams led Ohio with 11 tackles. [83]
Pregame line | Over/under |
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West Virginia -3.5 | 58.5 [84] |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Mountaineers | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
Bobcats | 3 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
at Peden Stadium • Athens, Ohio
Game information |
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Statistics | WVU | OHIO |
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First downs | 13 | 24 |
Total yards | 56–250 | 79–429 |
Rushing yards | 28–72 | 48–182 |
Passing yards | 178 | 247 |
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 15–26–1 | 22–31–3 |
Time of possession | 19:45 | 40:15 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
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West Virginia | Passing | Nicco Marchiol | 15/26, 178 yards, 1 INT |
Rushing | Jahiem White | 6 rushes, 40 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Jaden Bray | 4 receptions, 69 yards | |
Ohio | Passing | Parker Navarro | 22/31, 237 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT |
Rushing | Parker Navarro | 18 rushes, 87 yards | |
Receiving | Chase Hendricks | 9 receptions, 121 yards, 1 TD |
West Virginia came to Athens to open Ohio's home schedule. WVU defeated FCS 2025 Robert Morris 45–3 in week 1. [92] The Mountaineers were led by Rich Rodriguez who returned to Morgantown this year for his second stint at West Virginia after posting a 60–26 record from 2001 to 2007. [93] [94] He led Jacksonville State to the 2024 Conference USA championship. [95] He had accepted the West Virginia position before Ohio defeated the Gamecocks in the 2024 Cure Bowl. [96] Ohio is 5–12 all-time against the Mountaineers with the first matchup occurring in 1897. [97] West Virginia won the last matchup in 2001 by a score of 45–3. [98]
It was announced that Peden Stadium was sold out on August 12. [99] The game attendance of 26,740 was a Peden Stadium record. [100]
Ohio took the opening kickoff and was immediately held to a quick three and out. [101] WVU's offense didn't fare any better on their first drive. The Bobcats reached midfield on their second drive after starting deep in their own end after fielding a punt just in front of the goal line but were forced to punt after 10 plays. [102] West Virginia, starting at their own 10, got some offense going on the ensuing drive. The final two plays were the key. Cam Vaughn's 31 yard reception set WVU up on the Ohio 32. [103] From there Jahiem White finished the drive with a rushing touchdown on the next play. [104] On the next drive a 38 yard reception by Chase Hendricks set Ohio up at the WVU 23 yard line but Ohio could not get much deeper and settled for a Brack Peacock field goal. [105] After a Mountaineer 3 and out, the Bobcats reached the WVU 8 after a Parker Navarro 13 yard scramble but were unable to capitalize. After a sack, fumble, and penalty, Ohio was pushed back to the 33. A 12-yard reception by Hendricks put OU back in field goal range but the Peacock failed on the attempt. [101] Ohio's defense held West Virginia to another 3 and out. Ohio took their first lead by marching 81 yards in 12 plays with the key play being a 22 yard reception by Max Rodarte. Sieh Bangura finished the drive with a 1-yard rush with 2:36 remaining in the half. [106]
On the first play of the ensuing WVU drive, White suffered a season ending injury after Jalen Thomeson was called for two different personal fouls on the tackle. [107] He left the game with 40 yards rushing, 32 of which were on one play. The Mountaineers, playing the second half without him, were held to 72 yards rushing for the game. Following the penalty, they punted 4 plays later. The Bobcats took over at their own 26 and scored three plays later to take a 10 point lead when Navarro found Hendricks from 31 yards out. [108] WVU was again forced to punt and Ohio took a knee to end the half with a 17–7 lead.
West Virginia's offense got moving on the first drive of the second half, with the key play a Marchiol 45-yard pass to Bray, but the drive stalled on the 19-yard line and they settled for a Kade Hensley 38-yard field goal. [109] With the Bobcats only up one score, Navarro ended each of Ohio's next three drive's with interceptions. [110] In each case Ohio's defense responded by holding West Virginia to 3 and outs on their three ensuing drives. Ohio could not get a first down on their fourth drive of the half and were forced to punt from their own 29-yard line. Following the punt, the Mountaineers reached the Ohio 37 but were stopped on downs. [101] The Bobcat's again failed to get a first down and their punt set WVU up and their 34-yard line with 6:18 remaining in the game. They reached Bobcat territory with a 1st down at the 47 at the 4:42 mark. On 1st down Nicco Marchiol was sacked by Michael Molnar. A 14-yard reception on 2nd down, followed by a false start penalty, gave WVU a 3rd and 9 at the Ohio 46 with 3:26 remaining. [101] On 3rd down, Marachoil's pass was intercepted by Cam Hollobaugh. [101] Ohio, trying to run out the clock, faced a 3rd and 9 and Navarro scrambled 10-yards to pick up a first down. [111] On the next series, Ohio faced a 3rd and 16 when Navarro found Mason Williams for 13-yards. Ohio tried to seal the game by going for it on 4th and 3 from the WVU 29 but could only get 2-yards. After two Marchiol completions, he was sacked on the final play of the game by Anas Luqman before he could get off a hail mary attempt. [112]
It was Ohio's defense that controlled the game. [113] They held WVU to 2-of-13 on third-down conversions. [114] Ohio outgained the Mountaineers 429 to 250. [115] Ohio's offense controlled the ball for 40:15. [116] Defensive end Nehemiah Dukes starred with six tackles, a sack, and a tackle for loss. [117] Molnar led Ohio with seven total tackles and also had 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in route to winning MAC Defensive player of the week. [114] In spite of the interceptions, Navarro continued to demonstrate his dual threat abilities with 247 yards passing and led the Bobcats in rushing with 87 yards. [118] Chase Hendricks led the receivers with 121 yards and a touchdown. [119]
Pregame line | Over/under |
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Ohio State -28.5 | 49.5 [120] |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Bobcats | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 9 |
No. 1 Buckeyes | 3 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 37 |
at Ohio Stadium • Columbus, Ohio
Game information |
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Statistics | OHIO | OSU |
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First downs | 9 | 28 |
Total yards | 33–181 | 63–572 |
Rushing yards | 34–68 | 31–225 |
Passing yards | 113 | 347 |
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 10–21–0 | 25–32–2 |
Time of possession | 27:17 | 32:43 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
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Ohio | Passing | Parker Navarro | 6/13, 94 yards, 1 TD |
Rushing | Sieh Bangura | 12 rushes, 24 yards | |
Receiving | Chase Hendricks | 3 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD | |
Ohio State | Passing | Julian Sayin | 25/32, 347 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT |
Rushing | Bo Jackson | 9 rushes, 109 yards | |
Receiving | Jeremiah Smith | 9 receptions, 153 yards, 1 TD |
Ohio travelled to Columbus to meet Ohio State. [128] The Buckeyes came into the game as the nations top ranked team. [129] The Buckeyes first two games featured very different opponents. They defeated preseason #1 Texas 14–7 in the first week and then, as the new #1, they crushed an outmatched Grambling, from the FCS, by a score of 70–0 the following week. [130] [131] [132]
Ohio had faced Ohio State only seven times with the Buckeyes winning six and vacating a seventh win. [133] [134] The first game was in 1899 and the last matchup was the 43–7 vacated win for Ohio State in 2010 [135] This was the first time in program history that Ohio faced the top ranked team in the AP poll. [136]
Ohio State received the opening kickoff and after four plays has earned a first down on the Ohio 8-yard line. [137] After an incompletion on 3rd down they faced a 4th and goal at the Ohio 4. Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin was sacked by Anas Luqman to shutdown the drive. [138] The Bobcats could only manage one first down on their first possession and were forced to punt. [137] The Buckeyes went on a 10-play drive but were again faced with a 4th down at the Ohio 20 and chose to settle for a Jayden Fielding 38-yard field goal. [139] Ohio then went three and out where Parker Navarro was hurt on a hit on a 3rd down pass attempt. [140] the Buckeyes went on the march again buy an incompletion on the 10th play left them facing 4th down at the Ohio 2. They settled for another short field goal to go up by six points. [137] Now led by backup quarterback Mick Poulos, the Bobcats were forced to puny after one first down again. Ohio State again marched deep into Bobcat territory. On 3rd and 10 from the Bobcat 16, they finally found the endzone when Sayin found Max Klare. The Buckeyes forced on Ohio three and out and after the Ohio punt took over at their own 22-yard line. On the 2nd play of the drive, Sayin’s pass was deflected and then intercepted by Michael Mack II. [137] The Bobcats settled for a 44-yard field goal off of the toe of Brack Peacock. [141]
The Bobcats received the second half kickoff and Navarro reentered the game on their first possession. After an 8-yard scramble on first down, he hit Chase Hendricks on a 67-yard touchdown pass. [142] The point after kick was missed off the upright but, with Ohio State struggling in the redzone, the Buckeye lead was cut to 13–9. [143] On the ensuing drive the Buckeyes again settled for a another short field goal on a 4th and 3 from the Ohio 3-yard line. Ohio State forced another Bobcat punt and their offense found its rhythm in the 2nd half. Their next two possessions ended on Sayin touchdown passes. [144] The first was a 47-yard strike to All-American Jeremiah Smith and the second a 49-yard pass to Carnell Tate. [145] After another Ohio punt, Sayin was intercepted by Austin Mitchell on the third play of the drive. [137] On the ensuing drive, Ohio, facing 4th and 9 from the OSU 41, chose to go for it. A completion to Duncan Brune was stopped for no gain. The Buckeyes provided the final 37–9 margin when Smith ran it in from the Bobcat 17 with 6:36 remaining. [146] Ohio mostly kept the ball on the ground on their final drive and they maintained possession until the clock ran out at the OSU 18. [147]
Ohio State outgained Ohio by a 573 to 181 yard margin. [148] Sayin threw for 347 yards and 4 touchdowns. [149] Smith and Tate respectively finished with 153 and 101 yards receiving with one touchdown receiving each. Hendricks led the Bobcats with 76 receiving yards and a touchdown. Freshman running back Bo Jackson rushed for 109 yards on 9 carries. [150] Navarro, missing close to half the game, was held to 94 passing yards. [151] The Bobcats as a team were held to just 68 yards on the ground. Ohio safety Adonis Williams and linebacker Cam Hollobaugh led all defenders with 9 tackles each in the game. [152]
Pregame line | Over/under |
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Ohio -29.5 | 54.5 [153] |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Runnin' Bulldogs | 14 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 35 |
Bobcats | 3 | 28 | 7 | 14 | 52 |
at Peden Stadium • Athens, Ohio
Game information |
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Statistics | GWEB | OHIO |
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First downs | 16 | 33 |
Total yards | 61–480 | 75–608 |
Rushing yards | 31–191 | 48–318 |
Passing yards | 289 | 290 |
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 19–30–1 | 18–27–0 |
Time of possession | 26:01 | 33:59 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
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Gardner–Webb | Passing | Nate Hampton | 19/28, 289 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Carson Gresock | 7 rushes, 70 yards, 1 TD | |
Receiving | Anthony Lowe | 8 receptions, 72 yards | |
Ohio | Passing | Parker Navarro | 19/27, 290 yards, 1 TD |
Rushing | Sieh Bangura | 18 rushes, 123 yards, 3 TD | |
Receiving | Chase Hendricks | 8 receptions, 144 yards, 1 TD |
The Bobcats hosted Gardner–Webb out of the FCS. The Bulldogs The Bulldogs came in with a wins over FCS opponents Western Carolina and The Citadel and with a loss to FBS opponent Georgia Tech. [161] [162] [163] This was the fourth meeting of the two programs since 2007 with the last matchup being a 37–21 win for Ohio in 2016. [164] The Bobcats entered with a 3–0 series edge. [165]
The Bulldogs took the opening kickoff and immediately faced a 4th and 4 on their own 31. They came out in punt formation put upback Jackson Marshall scampered 35 yards for a first down on a fake punt. After another 17-yard run they had reached the Ohio 17. [29] On the next play, quarterback Nate Hampton was intercepted by Michael Mack II. [166] Starting on their own 12, the Bobcats could only gain two yards and they 4th down punt set up Gardner-Webb in good field possession. After another successful 4th down conversion on the next drive, Quasean Holmes then opened the scoring with an 8-yard touchdown run, capping a nine-play, 37-yard drive. [167] The ensuing Ohio drive kicked off with a 58-yard return by Eamonn Dennis but sputtered after getting a first down on the Bulldog 12 and they settled for a short Brack Peacock field goal. [168] Gardner Webb immediately responded when Carson Gresock broke off a 48-yard touchdown run through several missed tackles, extending the Bulldogs' lead to 14–3. The Bobcats began to rally back with a 2-yard touchdown run by Duncan Brune on the following drive and then forced a Bulldog three and out. [169] Sieh Bangura scored on an 8-yard run, and after a missed extra point on their first touchdown, followed this one with a two-point conversion pn a Mason Williams reception, putting Ohio ahead for the first time. [170] The lead very short lived. Hampton connected with Holmes on a short screen pass and he eluded or broke the tackle of numerous Bobcat defenders on a 68-yard run to paydirt. [171] Ohio quickly answered, with Parker Navarro connecting with Chase Hendricks for a 43-yard touchdown pass to retake the lead. [172] After a Bulldog punt, the Bobcats regained possession with 1:49 remaining in the game. A Parker Navarro 25-yard run set up Ohio at the 1-yard line with Sieh Bangura scored his second touchdown on a 1-yard plunge. [173] Gardner-Webb chose not to end the half quietly and, after receiving the ball on Ohio 25 with 0:28 remaining, Hampton completed passes of 11, 21, and 7 yards. But a Charlie Viorel 53-yad field goal came up short.
Ohio’s first possession of the second half ended on an unsuccessful 4th down attempt at the Bulldog 41. [174] Garner Webb punted 4 plays later. After another exchange of punts, Duncan Brune scored the lone touchdown of the quarter with a 1-yard run by Duncan Brune setup by a Williams reception, which extended Ohio's lead to 17. [175] Ohio jumped offsides before another 4th down attempt on the ensuing drive. Several plays later Chris Lofton caught a pass behind the Ohio defense and scored from 42-yards out.2025|website=ESPN|language=en }}</ref> Bangura quickly extended the lead again with his third touchdown on a 38-yad run. After another successful 4th down conversion, Holmes scored his third touchdown on a 5-yard run. [166] Brune carried the load on Ohio’s next drive and became the third player to score three times with a 1-yard blast. After a Bulldog punt, the Bobcats were able to hold on to the ball and run out the clock.
Several Bobcats had career days. Navarro ‘s 290 passing yards, Hendricks 144 receiving yards, Dom Dowart’s 51 receiving yards, Michael Molnar’s 11 tackles, and Jalen Thomeson’s 9 tackles were all so-far career highs. [176] Bangura and Brune each scored three touchdowns and had 123 and 88 rushing yards respectively. [177] Ohio outgained Gardner-Webb 609 to 482. [178] Gardner-Webb’s offense kept up most of the game aided by Hampton’s 289 yards, several successful trick plays, and 5 for 5 on 4th down conversions with a 6th 4th down converted on an Ohio offsides. [179]
Pregame line | Over/under |
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Ohio -7.5 | 49.5 [180] |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 20 |
Bobcats | 14 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
at Peden Stadium • Athens, Ohio
Game information |
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Statistics | BGSU | OHIO |
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First downs | 21 | 24 |
Total yards | 65–350 | 64–439 |
Rushing yards | 36–180 | 39–231 |
Passing yards | 170 | 208 |
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 19–29–3 | 17–25–1 |
Time of possession | 30:31 | 29:29 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Bowling Green | Passing | Drew Pyne | 19/29, 170 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT |
Rushing | Chris McMillian | 11 rushes, 89 yards | |
Receiving | Finn Hogan | 3 receptions, 51 yards | |
Ohio | Passing | Parker Navarro | 7/25, 208 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Sieh Bangura | 18 rushes, 115 yards | |
Receiving | Mason Williams | 8 receptions, 93 yards, 1 TD |
Ohio opened conference play by hosting Bowling Green. These programs didn't play in 2024 for the first time since 2003. [188] Ohio won the last meeting in 2023 by a score of 38–7. [189] Bowling Green leads the all-time series 42–31–2 but entered having won seven out of the last eight. [190] [191] The Falcons enter with a 2–2 mark with wins over Lafayette and Liberty and losses to Power 4 opponents Cincinnati and Louisville. [192]
Pregame line | Over/under |
---|---|
[193] |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Bobcats | 0 | ||
Cardinals | 0 |
Game information |
---|
|
Statistics | OHIO | BALL |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Total yards | – | – |
Rushing yards | – | – |
Passing yards | ||
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | –– | –– |
Time of possession | ||
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Ohio | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
Ball State | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Huskies | 0 | ||
Bobcats | 0 |
Game information |
---|
|
Statistics | NIU | OHIO |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Total yards | – | – |
Rushing yards | – | – |
Passing yards | ||
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | –– | –– |
Time of possession | ||
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Northern Illinois | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
Ohio | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Bobcats | 0 | ||
Eagles | 0 |
Game information |
---|
|
Statistics | OHIO | EMU |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Total yards | – | – |
Rushing yards | – | – |
Passing yards | ||
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | –– | –– |
Time of possession | ||
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Ohio | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
Eastern Michigan | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | Total |
---|---|---|---|
RedHawks | 0 | ||
Bobcats | 0 |
Game information |
---|
|
Statistics | M-OH | OHIO |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Total yards | – | – |
Rushing yards | – | – |
Passing yards | ||
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | –– | –– |
Time of possession | ||
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Miami (OH) | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
Ohio | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Bobcats | 0 | ||
Broncos | 0 |
Game information |
---|
|
Statistics | OHIO | WMU |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Total yards | – | – |
Rushing yards | – | – |
Passing yards | ||
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | –– | –– |
Time of possession | ||
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Ohio | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
Western Michigan | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Minutemen | 0 | ||
Bobcats | 0 |
Game information |
---|
|
Statistics | MASS | OHIO |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Total yards | – | – |
Rushing yards | – | – |
Passing yards | ||
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | –– | –– |
Time of possession | ||
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
UMass | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
Ohio | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Bulls | 0 | ||
Bobcats | 0 |
Game information |
---|
|
Statistics | OHIO | BUFF |
---|---|---|
First downs | ||
Total yards | – | – |
Rushing yards | – | – |
Passing yards | ||
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | –– | –– |
Time of possession | ||
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|---|---|---|
Ohio | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
Buffalo | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
Since December 18, 2024, the head coach of the Ohio Bobcats has been Brian Smith. He heads a staff of eleven assistant coaches, four graduate assistants, a director of football operations, and numerous other support staff. [204] [205]
Name | Position | Years at Ohio | Alma mater |
---|---|---|---|
Brian Smith | Head Coach | 2022 | University of Hawaii 2002 |
John Hauser | Associate Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator | 2022 | Wittenberg University 2002 |
Scott Isphording | Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks | 2014 | Hanover College 1994 |
Blair Cavanaugh | Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs Coach | 2025 | Portland State University 2016 |
DeAngelo Smith | Defensive Passing Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks Coach/Director of Player Development | 2017 | University of Cincinnati 2008 |
Tremayne Scott | Running Game Coordinator/Defensive tackles | 2018 | Ohio University 2012 |
Jeff Phelps | Pass Rush Specialist/Defensive Ends Coach | 2025 | Ball State University 1999 |
Chris Woods | Linebackers | 2025 | Davidson College 1990 |
Tavita Thompson | Offensive Line Coach | 2025 | Oregon State University 2008 |
Andre Allen | Wide receivers | 2023 | Ashford |
Kyle Obly | Tight Ends | 2025 | Ohio University 2022 |
Joe Tresey | Director of High School Relations | 2024 | Ohio State University 1982 |
Jeremiah Covington | Assistant athletic director for football operations | 2022 | Wingate University 2011 |
Reagan Fornshell | Graduate assistant – offense | ||
Brandon Pahl | Graduate assistant – offense | ||
Garret Pruss | Graduate assistant – defense | ||
Nick Auriemma | Graduate assistant – defense |
Name | Position | Years at Ohio | Alma mater |
---|---|---|---|
Sarah Newgarde | Director of athletics administration and football communications | 2021 | Ohio University |
Logan Meyer | General Manager | 2025 | University of Cincinnati |
Jerry Lin | Staff Athletic trainer (football, swim & dive) | 2022 | University of South Carolina |
Caleb Moon | Assistant director of equipment services | ||
Thomas Turnbaugh | Director of video and recruiting services | 2018 | Ohio University |
Elaine Goodfellow | Administrative assistant | ||
Jessica Arquette | Ohio athletics sports dietitian | Bowling Green State University | |
Joseph Benish | Staff Athletic Trainer (Football/Track) | 2023 | Penn State University |
Tyler Shumate | Director of Strength and Conditioning | 2024 | University of Virginia |
Noah Spielman | Associate Director of Football Strength and Conditioning | 2025 | |
Chalon Jackson | Football Strength and Conditioning - Graduate Assistant | 2025 | |
Theodus Riggold | Football Strength and Conditioning - Graduate Assistant | 2025 | |
John Bowman | Director of Sports Medicine & Athletics Health Care Administrator | 1994 | Ohio University |
Dr. Sergio Ulloa | Team Orthopedic Physician | Ohio University | |
Dr. Katherine Guran | Head Team Physician | Northeast Ohio Medical University | |
James Odenthal | Staff Physical Therapist | 2016 | Ohio University |
2025 Ohio Bobcats football roster | ||||||||||
Quarterback
Running Back
Wide Receiver
Tight End
Offensive lineman
Placekicker
Defensive line
Linebacker
Defensive back
Punter
Long Snapper
| ||||||||||
As of August 17, 2025 [206]
|
Starters out: JACK DE:Kaci Seegars, WILL LB:Jack Fries
For September 27, 2025 Game 5 vs. Bowling Green - Source: [207]
Name | Position | New school | New position |
---|---|---|---|
Tim Albin | Head coach | Charlotte | Head coach [208] |
Nate Faanes | co-defensive coordinator/Special teams coordinator/linebackers | Charlotte | Defensive coordinator/Linebackers [209] |
Kurt Mattix | Defensive ends/Pass Rush Specialist | Charlotte | Co-defensive coordinator/Defensive line [210] |
Brian Metz | Recruiting Coordinator/Tight ends | Charlotte | Tight ends/Recruiting coordinator [211] |
Allen Rudolph | Offensive line | Charlotte | Offensive line/Run game coordinator [212] |
Name | Position | Previous school | Previous position |
---|---|---|---|
Blair Cavanaugh | Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs [213] | Incarnate Word | Special Teams Coordinator |
Jeff Phelps | Pass Rush Specialist/Defensive Ends Coach [214] | Wyoming | Defensive Tackles |
Tavita Thompson | Offensive Line Coach [215] | Central Michigan | Run game coordinator/Offensive Line Coach |
Kyle Obly | Tight Ends [216] | Ohio | Graduate Assistant |
Chris Woods | Linebackers [217] | Arlington Renegades | Linebackers |
Joe Tresey | Director of High School Relations [218] | Ohio | Recruiting assistant |
Name | New Position | Previous position |
---|---|---|
Brian Smith | Head Coach [219] | Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/running backs |
John Hauser | Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Safeties [220] | Defensive Coordinator/Safeties |
Scott Isphording | Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks [221] | Passing game coordinator/quarterbacks |
Offense | Defense | Special teams |
---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
Player | Position | Destination |
---|---|---|
Bradley Weaver | DL | Rutgers [222] |
Parker Startz | EDGE | Charlotte [223] |
Bryce Butler | TE | Charlotte [224] |
Stellan Bowman | LB | Charlotte [225] |
Rickey Hunt Jr. | RB | Tulsa [226] |
CJ Doggette | DL | Florida Atlantic [227] |
Austin Brawley | S | New Mexico [228] |
Jacob Dennison | T | Wake Forest [229] |
Gianni Spetic | K | Memphis [230] |
Reise Collier | LB | |
Xander Karagosian | S | |
Colby Garfield | LS | Charlotte [231] |
Cam Rice | DL | Maryland [232] |
Shay Taylor | LB | Charlotte [233] |
Kaden Schmitz | DE | Charlotte [234] |
Andrew Erby | IOL | Bucknell [235] |
Joseph Habinowski | T | Middle Tennessee [236] |
Beau Blankenship | TE | Gardner-Webb [237] |
Sinn Brennan | EDGE | |
Bralen Henderson | DL | Missouri [238] |
Matthew Stuewe | WR | |
Maverick Ohle | DT | North Central |
Player | Position | Transferred From |
---|---|---|
Nick Hemer [239] | OL | Hutchinson Community College |
Anas Luqman [240] | EDGE | Arkansas–Pine Bluff |
Rickey Hyatt Jr. [241] | S | South Alabama |
Evan Herrmann [242] | EDGE | Vanderbilt |
David Dellenbach [243] | K | UCLA |
Sieh Bangura [244] | RB | Minnesota |
Alfred Jordan Jr. [245] | WR | Idaho State |
Jaymar Mundy [246] | CB | Western Kentucky |
Pierre Kemeni Jr. [247] | CB | New Mexico |
Nehemiah Dukes [248] | DL | Youngstown State |
Colton Grover [249] | WR | South Dakota Mines |
Josh Waite [250] | ILB | Shippensburg |
Ronald Jackson Jr. [251] | S | Old Dominion |
Nick Marinaro [252] | IOL | Dartmouth |
Andres Dewerk [253] | OL | Appalachian State |
Tim Carpenter [254] | QB | Tulsa |
Shedrick Rhodes Jr. [255] | T | Rutgers |
Makel Williams [256] | LB | Fort Hays State |
Caleb Chamberlin [257] | S | Air Force |
Joseph Marsh [258] | EDGE | Boise State |
Cam Hollobaugh [259] | LB | Walsh |
Pius Odjugo [260] | DL | Central Michigan |
Derek Reagans [261] | DL | City College of San Francisco |
Dorian Boyland [262] | RB | Drake |
Magnus Haines [263] | P | Arkansas State |
Nate Riegle [264] | DL | Ohio State |
Name | Hometown | School | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Michael Taylor [267] RB | Pickerington, OH | Pickerington North | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Jun 30, 2024 | |
Recruit ratings: Rivals: ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Ike Ackerman [268] EDGE | Omaha, NE | Central | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 240 lb (110 kg) | Nov 16, 2024 | |
Recruit ratings: Rivals: ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Jermaine Minnis [269] LB | Hyattsville, MD | DeMatha Catholic | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | Jul 5, 2024 | |
Recruit ratings: Rivals: ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Charlie Christopher [270] LB | Uniontown, OH | Lake | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | May 9, 2024 | |
Recruit ratings: Rivals: ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Irving Brown [271] RB | Teachey, NC | Wallace-Rose Hill | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 193 lb (88 kg) | Oct 25, 2024 | |
Recruit ratings: Rivals: ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Ty Neubert [272] DL | Columbus, OH | St. Francis De Sales | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 250 lb (110 kg) | Jun 23, 2024 | |
Recruit ratings: Rivals: ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Angelo Delucia [273] DL | Canfield, OH | Canfield | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 255 lb (116 kg) | Aug 6, 2024 | |
Recruit ratings: Rivals: ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Tyson Long [274] CB | Pickerington, OH | Pickerington North | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Sep 20, 2024 | |
Recruit ratings: Rivals: ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Kolten Bartles [275] P | Richmond, MI | Richmond Community | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Aug 2, 2024 | |
Recruit ratings: Rivals: ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Brandon Weaver [276] DL | Hilliard, OH | Hilliard Darby | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 250 lb (110 kg) | Dec 17, 2024 | |
Recruit ratings: Rivals: ![]() | ||||||
Hype Grande [277] QB | Pasadena, CA | Pasadena | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | Jan 26, 2025 | |
Recruit ratings: Rivals: ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Bobby Miller [278] CB | Orlando, FL | Bishop Moore | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | Jan 26, 2025 | |
Recruit ratings: Rivals: ![]() | ||||||
Ibrahim Kebe [279] T | Middletown, OH | Lakota East | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | Jan 26, 2025 | |
Recruit ratings: Rivals: ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Rashad Perry [280] WR | Fresno, CA | Washington Union | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 160 lb (73 kg) | Apr 6, 2025 | |
Recruit ratings: 247Sports: ![]() | ||||||
Overall recruit ranking: | ||||||
Sources:
|
Award | Player | Position | Year | Date | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MAC Offensive Player of the Week | Parker Navarro | QB | GS | Sept. 1 | [284] |
MAC Defensive Player of the Week | Michael Molnar | LB | R-So. | Sept. 8 | [285] |