After a 5-1 start, the Ohio Bobcats had their eyes on bowl-eligibility and a chance at a MAC title, but the tables have turned and Ohio is now looking to put the pieces back together after a second consecutive blowout loss.
The Bobcats’ Derrius Vick threw two pick-6s and the Buffalo Bulls’ offense moved at will Saturday in a 41-17 trouncing of Ohio.
The Ohio defense was missing three-time MAC Defensive Player of the Week Quentin Poling and was so desperate for defensive depth that running back A.J. Ouellette saw reps at middle linebacker.
Buffalo (3-4, 1-2 MAC) tailback Jordan Johnson ran for 147 yards and two touchdowns against Ohio’s banged up front seven. Joe Licata completed 21 of his 32 pass attempts for 212 yards and reached the end zone on a quarterback sneak in the second quarter. Marcus McGill led the Bulls’ receiving corps. with 81 yards on eight catches.
Ohio (5-3, 2-2 MAC) scored on its first possession on a Daz’ Patterson 6-yard touchdown, but the Bobcats were outscored by Buffalo 31-3 in the remainder of the first half.
Derrius Vick found his target on 32 of his 51 passes for 321 yards. Vick was intercepted three times, twice by Bulls linebacker Okezie Alozie.
Sebastian Smith reeled in nine passes for 79 yards. Keith Heitzman finished with six catches for 83 yards, including this diving one-handed grab. Maleek Irons added a 1-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
The Bobcats have a 10-day break before returning to action on Wednesday, Nov. 4 in Bowling Green to take on the Falcons.
