INSIDE SLANT

The Bobcats don’t always win the numbers game, but they do find ways to win.

Ohio (8-3, 6-1 MAC) set up a de facto MAC East Division champion game by holding off Northern Illinois on Nov. 22 inside Peden Stadium by a 38-31 count.

Like several other games this season, Ohio didn’t dominate the stat sheet but made up for it with all the big plays in the fourth quarter.

Ohio converted a critical fourth-and-short on a go-ahead touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, held when the Huskies tried to convert a fourth-and-one, and then clinched the game with an interception return for a touchdown with less than two minutes to go.

Northern Illinois outgained Ohio by 150 yards and held a marked edge in time of possession. But the ‘Cats didn’t care; the win positions them to compete for the MAC title and all but ensures a bowl game berth.

“We just find ways to win games. We’ve been resilient,” Ohio head coach Frank Solich said. “I give our guys all the credit for that.”

Ohio wants to hold up for at least another week. The Bobcats will face streaking Temple (9-2, 7—0 MAC) in the regular season finale on Nov. 27 on their home field. The winner will earn the MAC East title and a spot in the MAC Championship game.

The Owls have been the best team in the MAC East all season, and have won eight straight games.

Ohio knows it won’t be easy, but is riding a wave of confidence built from several fourth-quarter victories this season.

“It’ll be another close game, another physical game that will come down to the end,” Solich said. “We’re used to that.”

NOTES, QUOTES

•  With two more non-offensive touchdowns scored against Northern Illinois, the Bobcats now have eight non-offensive touchdowns on the season. Ohio has returned three punts, one kickoff and three interceptions for touchdowns. The ‘Cats have also recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown.

• QB Theo Scott has 16 touchdown passes this season and 20 for his career. Both rank second on Ohio’s all-time list. The single-season record for TD passes is 19, set by teammate Boo Jackson in 2008.

• With eight wins, Ohio is close to a guaranteed bowl bid. It would be just the fourth bowl game in the history of the Ohio program, and just the second since the late 1960s.

Game Ball Goes To:   WR LaVon Brazill—Brazill scored three touchdowns and powered the Bobcats with two scores in the game’s first five minutes. Brazill scored on a 91-yard punt return, the longest in Ohio history, and had touchdown catches of 27 and nine yards. Brazill has three punt returns touchdown this season and four during his career—both are Ohio records.

Keep An Eye On:   LG A.J. Strum—A backup at the beginning of the season, the sophomore has played at an all-conference level this season. Besides helping to stabilize the left side of the offensive line, Strum has been on of the best Bobcat linemen. He hasn’t allowed a sack all season, and giving up just one quarterback pressure.

Quote To Note:   “Iwould think the step that was taken tonight would put us in a bowl. But you never know I guess. All I know is that we’re focused on the next football game, and that’s going to be another very physical football game.”—Ohio head coach Frank Solich on his team’s bowl prospects after picking up its eighth win of the season.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Looking Good:   The Bobcats didn’t rack up a ton of yards, but also did little to hurt themselves offensively. For the first time in six games, Ohio didn’t have an offensive turnover or throw an interception.

Ohio threw for just 144 yards, but QB Theo Scott completed 16-of-28 passes including three touchdowns. Running backs Chris Garrett and Vince Davidson both were effective and provided balance. Both backs averaged better than 5.0 yards per carry against Northern Illinois—the MAC’s top-rated defense.

WR LaVon Brazill accounted for three touchdowns, including a punt return score, and two touchdown receptions among his five catches.

The Ohio defense did a nice job of taking away the Huskies’ strength—the running game. NIU finished with just 114 net rushing yards—the Huskies average 220 per contest—and tailbacks Chad Spann and Me’co Brown were both held to less than three yards a carry.

Junior MLB Noah Keller collected a game-high 12 tackles, and has 109 for the season. It’s Keller’s second consecutive season with more than 100 stops.

Still Needs Work:   Ohio wanted the Huskies to beat them through the air, and they nearly did. Northern Illinois set season highs across the board in passing as QB Chandler Harnish finished 24-of-35 for 307 yards. Ohio struggled early with zone coverage, but fared better in the second half when the ‘Cats went to more man coverage and more blitzes.

Ohio didn’t control the game offensively, and relied on big plays. The Bobcats were just 4-of-13 on third down conversions, lost the battle in time of possession, was outgained 421-247 and ran nearly 20 fewer offensive plays.

Roster Report:  

• Junior long snapper Kyle Robbins likely suffered a season-ending knee injury against Northern Illinois. Robbins was the starting long-snapper on the punt team. Sophomore Jeremy LaVoie, who handles the snaps on the place kicks, will take his spot.

• Senior OLB Errik Ejike will be doubtful moving forward. Erjike tweaked his injured knee in the fourth quarter against Northern Illinois and did not return.

• Junior DE Dak Notestine and sophomore TE Nathan Caldwell both left the Northern Illinois game with unspecified leg injuries. Both were able to return to the field, but neither was at 100 percent.