ATHENS, Ohio ? Chad Brinker rushed for 127 yards and four touchdowns and Fred Ray ran for one score and threw for two more as the Ohio football team defeated Eastern Michigan 55-27 in Saturday's Homecoming game at Peden Stadium.

The Bobcats (2-5, 2-1 Mid-American Conference) rushed for over 400 yards and scored the most points since a 63-15 victory over Northern Illinois in 1976.

"We were able to establish the inside running game and we thought if we could establish the run, it would open up the passing game," said Ohio head coach Brian Knorr. "We put ourselves in some good downs and distances for us and that really gave us the opportunity to mix it up."

Ohio, which scored touchdowns on its first six possessions, took a 41-13 lead into halftime. Brinker led the first-half charge with 115 yards on 14 carries and touchdowns runs of three, seven and one yards.

Ray contributed to the onslaught with a 47-yard strike to Stafford Owens in the opening period, a one-yard touchdown run at the 6:05 mark of the second quarter and a one-yard scoring toss to tight end D.T. Boon with 1:40 left in the first half.

The Bobcats outgained Eastern Michigan 372 yards to 183 in the first half and dominated the time of possession 20:46 to 9:14.

After Ohio linebacker Pete Brately came up with his first career interception at the Bobcats' 15-yard line, Brinker capped off a four-play, 85-yard drive with an eight-yard burst to the endzone at 8:32 in the third quarter. The fourth score for the senior from Martins Ferry tied the school record for most rushing touchdowns in a game.

Owens then followed that up with the Bobcats' first special teams score of the season. The sophomore from Harvey, Ill., received a punt on Ohio's 28-yard line and broke free for a 72-yard touchdown return to give the Bobcats a 55-13 advantage with 5:54 left in the third quarter.

"I think the team played with a lot of emotion and came to play on Homecoming," said Brinker. "The guys up front really did the job and the passing game helped out the run, especially with the play action. Our offensive coordinator mixed up the play-calling and did a good job of keeping (the Eagles) on their heels."

Eastern Michigan (3-4, 1-2 MAC) retaliated with two touchdown strikes from Troy Edwards to C.R. Roberson to close Ohio's lead to 55-27 with 11:37 remaining in the game.

The Bobcats controlled the ball for the remainder of the contest behind strong rushing performances from Brad Young (23 carries for 95 yards) and Justin Roush (11 carries for 57 yards).

Ohio returns to action next Saturday at Kent State. The 2 p.m. contest will be televised live by the Ohio Sports Network.