KENT, Ohio – The Ohio football team (6-3, 4-1) celebrated a significant milestone by clinching bowl eligibility with a commanding 41-0 victory over the Kent State Golden Flashes (0-9, 0-5). This triumph was highlighted by two remarkable special teams touchdowns, showcasing the team’s dominance throughout the game.
Graduate student quarterback Parker Navarro (Tempe, Ariz.) showcased his skill, completing 14-of-24 passes for 142 yards while adding 41 rushing yards on eight attempts. Additionally, redshirt junior quarterback Nick Poulos (Granite Bay, Calif.) delivered a touchdown pass and contributed 22 rushing yards during the game’s closing moments.
Graduate student running back Anthony Tyus III (Portage, Mich.) made a successful return to the field, amassing 84 rushing yards along with one touchdown on 14 carries. Redshirt freshman running back Rickey Hunt Jr. (Oklahoma City, Okla.) also made an impact, recording 81 yards on nine carries and boasting an impressive average of 8.9 yards per attempt, including a long run of 35 yards.
Defensively, redshirt senior cornerback Roman Parodie (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) intercepted a pass and returned it for 13 yards, while junior safety Adonis Williams Jr. (South Euclid, Ohio) recorded three pass breakups, enhancing the team’s defensive performance.
Special teams excelled, with two touchdowns occurring in the third quarter, marking the first instance since 2008 that the Bobcats achieved multiple special teams touchdowns in a single game. This remarkable feat occurred only five times in the Football Bowl Subdivision during the 2024 season. Graduate student wide receiver Eamonn Dennis (Worcester, Mass.) electrified the crowd with a 96-yard kickoff return, while Coleman Owen returned a punt for a 61-yard touchdown.
Ohio jumped to an early lead with a 42-yard field goal from sophomore kicker Gianni Spetic (Chardon, Ohio), followed by a 19-yard rushing touchdown from Tyus that capped off a five-play, 51-yard drive. Parodie continued to thwart Kent State’s offensive efforts with an interception, setting up Spetic’s second field goal of the day.
The Bobcats further extended their lead as Dennis opened the second half with a thrilling 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, elevating Ohio to a 27-0 advantage. Owen’s impressive 61-yard punt return solidified the momentum in Ohio’s favor, followed by a touchdown from redshirt junior tight end Bryce Butler (Bowie, Md.) on a pass from Poulos, wrapping up the scoring at 41-0.
Looking ahead, the Bobcats will host the Eastern Michigan Eagles in their next matchup on Wednesday, November 14. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium, with the game available for viewing on ESPN2, ESPNU, or CBSSN.
Next Game:
Eastern Michigan
11/13/2024 | 7 p.m. ET
ESPN2
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**Interview with Ohio Bobcats Head Coach**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Coach. Congratulations on your team’s decisive 41-0 victory over Kent State! How does it feel to clinch bowl eligibility this early in the season?
**Coach:** Thank you! It feels fantastic. Securing bowl eligibility is an important milestone for our program, and the way we performed today, especially on both sides of the ball and on special teams, only adds to our confidence moving forward.
**Interviewer:** Your special teams really shined today with two touchdowns. Can you describe the strategy behind that successful performance?
**Coach:** Absolutely. We’ve been emphasizing the importance of special teams in our practices, and today it showed. Both touchdowns came from excellent execution and teamwork. Our players really stepped up and made crucial plays when it counted, and it’s great to see that hard work pay off.
**Interviewer:** Graduate quarterback Parker Navarro had a solid game. How would you assess his performance and leadership on the field?
**Coach:** Parker did a commendable job managing the game. His completion percentage and ability to make plays with his legs were instrumental. As a graduate student, his experience certainly benefits our younger players, and his leadership was vital in maintaining momentum throughout the game.
**Interviewer:** We also saw impressive contributions from your running backs, particularly Anthony Tyus III and Rickey Hunt Jr. What did you think about their performances?
**Coach:** They both ran with purpose and determination. Anthony’s ability to return and contribute significantly speaks volumes about his work ethic and dedication to the team. Rickey has been a spark for us this season, and I was thrilled to see him continue to make big plays today. Together, they provide a strong one-two punch in our backfield.
**Interviewer:** Defensively, players like Roman Parodie and Adonis Williams Jr. had standout moments. What can you say about their impact on the game?
**Coach:** Defense wins games, and today’s performance was a testament to that. Roman’s interception and Adonis’s pass breakups exemplified our defensive strategy. We’ve focused on creating turnovers and limiting big plays, and they executed that beautifully today.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what are your goals as the season progresses?
**Coach:** Our primary goal is to keep improving week by week. We need to build on this momentum, stay healthy, and execute our game plan effectively. The focus now shifts to our next opponent, and we’ll continue to strive for consistency in all phases of the game.
**Interviewer:** Thanks for your time, Coach, and best of luck in your upcoming games!
**Coach:** Thank you! We appreciate the support. Go Bobcats!
