ATHENS, Ohio–Happy Thanksgiving Bobcats! Ohio football is poised to battle for a coveted spot in the MAC Championship game with a highly anticipated Black Friday matchup, while men’s basketball makes its return to Athens after an extensive two-week road trip. Stay tuned for all the exciting developments in Ohio Athletics as detailed in this week’s Paw Prints.
FOOTBALL
Nov. 29 / vs Ball State / Athens, Ohio / Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium / 12 p.m. ET / CBSSN / Watch / Listen / Live Stats / Digital Guide / Tickets
The Ohio football team, currently boasting an impressive record of 8-3 and 6-1 in MAC play, concludes the 2024 regular season on Friday, Nov. 29, when the Bobcats host Ball State (3-8, 2-5 MAC) for a highly anticipated Black Friday afternoon matinee. Kickoff is scheduled for Noon ET inside Peden Stadium, with the game broadcast live on CBS Sports Network. A victory for the Bobcats would secure their place in the 2024 MAC Football Championship game, set to take place on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Noon ET at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich.
Ohio is riding the momentum of a thrilling 24-7 victory over Toledo achieved on Nov. 20, where they scored 24 unanswered points to handily defeat the Rockets. Graduate student quarterback Parker Navarro had a standout performance, completing 11 of his 19 passes for 129 yards. On the ground, Navarro continued to shine, rushing for two touchdowns on 18 carries and accumulating 104 rushing yards. Graduate student running back Anthony Tyus III stepped up as well, leading Ohio’s rushing efforts with 125 yards on 33 carries, punctuated by one touchdown. Redshirt junior wide receiver Caleb Gossett was a key target, contributing six receptions for 86 yards. Notably, Navarro’s exceptional play earned him the accolade of MAC Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week.
On the defensive front, graduate student linebacker Blake Leake and redshirt junior linebacker Shay Taylor stood out with a team-high eight tackles each—Leake recorded five solo stops while Taylor notched four. Leake, joined by graduate student defensive end Bradley Weaver, redshirt freshman safety DJ Walker, and graduate student defensive end Ben McNaboe each registered a forced fumble. Additionally, Taylor showcased his prowess with one sack and 1.5 tackles for loss, while redshirt senior cornerback Roman Parodie secured both fumble recoveries for the Bobcats.
Ball State comes into this showdown with a disappointing record of 3-8, having suffered a setback in their last outing, losing 38-13 to Bowling Green. The Cardinals’ offense was led by quarterback Connor Bazelak, who completed 18 of 29 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns, while wide receiver Kadin Semonza turned in an impressive performance with 19 receptions for 211 yards and two touchdowns.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Nov. 30 / vs. Robert Morris / Athens, Ohio / Convocation Center / 2 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Listen / Live Stats / Digital Guide / Roster Card / Tickets
The Ohio men’s basketball team, sporting a record of 2-5, is set to return to action for the first time in two weeks on Saturday, Nov. 30, when they take on Robert Morris (5-2) in a much-anticipated matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET inside the Convocation Center, with the game available for viewing on ESPN+.
Ohio previously competed in the 2024 Myrtle Beach Invitational in Conway, S.C., where they ended the week with a split record of 1-2. The Bobcats enjoyed a victory over Portland but suffered defeats against Middle Tennessee and Texas State. During the tournament, senior forward AJ Clayton emerged as a standout player, averaging 2.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, along with 1.0 blocks, 1.0 steals, and 1.6 assists. Clayton had a career night against Portland on Nov. 22, scoring an impressive 34 points with a shooting line of 13-of-26 from the field and 6-of-14 from three-point range, in addition to tying his career-high of 12 rebounds. His exceptional performance earned him accolades as MAC Co-Player of the Week.
Junior guard Jackson Paveletzke also made headlines during the tournament, finishing with a record-breaking 23 assists, setting a new record for the Myrtle Beach Invitational. Both Clayton and Paveletzke were recognized for their achievements and named to the MBI All-Tournament Team.
Robert Morris enters the contest with a 5-2 overall record, having faced setbacks against Delaware and WVU, but securing wins over New Orleans, Cornell, Lindenwood, and Stonehill. RMU is slated to play against Canisius on Wednesday before making their way to Athens for the matchup on Saturday.
### Interview with Ohio Athletics Director on Upcoming Matchups
### Interview with Ohio Athletics Director on Upcoming Matchups
**Interviewer:** Welcome to our special Thanksgiving edition, and thanks for joining us! Exciting times ahead for Ohio Bobcats athletics. Can you tell us about the football team’s current momentum heading into the Black Friday game against Ball State?
**Athletics Director:** Absolutely! We’re thrilled about our football team’s performance this season. With an impressive record of 8-3 overall and 6-1 in the MAC, they’ve shown remarkable resilience and skill. The recent 24-7 victory over Toledo, where they scored 24 unanswered points, truly demonstrates their potential. Parker Navarro, our graduate quarterback, has been exceptional, and backed by strong performances from our offensive line and running backs, we’re feeling confident as we approach this crucial game.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like the team is in great form! A win against Ball State would secure a spot in the MAC Championship. How does the team feel about this upcoming challenge?
**Athletics Director:** The players are definitely excited and focused. They understand the stakes involved. This game is not just about finishing the season strong, but also about securing a chance at the championship title on Dec. 7. The atmosphere at Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium should be electric, and we encourage all our fans to come out and support. It’s a pivotal moment for our program.
**Interviewer:** Switching gears to men’s basketball—after a two-week road trip, they’re finally returning to Athens. What can fans expect from the team as they face off against Robert Morris?
**Athletics Director:** The men’s basketball team is definitely eager to return home. They’ve been working hard on the road, and these games will be vital for their growth and chemistry. Our matchup against Robert Morris will be a great opportunity for them to show their skills on our home court. Fans can expect an exciting game filled with energy, and it’s always great to have our Bobcat faithful cheering from the stands.
**Interviewer:** With everything happening, it’s truly a great time to be a Bobcat! Any final thoughts for our fans as we head into this busy athletic weekend?
**Athletics Director:** I just want to say thank you to our wonderful community and our dedicated fans. Your support makes a significant impact on our student-athletes. Let’s all come together, enjoy some great football and basketball, and celebrate the spirit of Bobcats. Happy Thanksgiving!
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, and happy Thanksgiving to you as well! Go Bobcats!
