TOLEDO, Ohio ? In the Ohio football team?s first-ever appearance on an ESPN-branded network, the Bobcats lost at Toledo on Saturday. After not allowing an offensive touchdown in over six straight quarters, Ohio gave up three scores in the third quarter on the way to a 31-13 Mid-American Conference loss.

?Toledo?s defense handled us today,? said Bobcat head coach Brian Knorr. ?We broke down in a number of positions today offensively and just did not compete very well. I felt like we had to be able to at least run the football with some effectiveness and we were unable to do that, which really put a lot of pressure on our defense.?

After the Bobcats? first drive of the game stalled at the Rocket 48-yard line, Ohio (3-4, 1-3 MAC) took an early 2-0 lead when redshirt freshman Brett Sykes (Eastlake) forced Toledo quarterback Bruce Gradkowski into an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone, resulting in a safety. It was the first career sack for the Bobcat defensive end.

When Ohio began its second possession at its own 16 following a 76-yard free kick by the Rockets, Austen Everson (Brentwood, Tenn.) replaced starting quarterback Ryan Hawk (Centerville) as the Bobcats? signal-caller. The sophomore?s first pass attempt of the game was caught by Scott Mayle (Philippi, W.Va.) but then fumbled. Toledo?s Nigel Morris scooped by the loose ball and ran 26 yards untouched into the end zone for a 7-2 lead with 10:21 left in the first quarter.

The game?s next score did not come until a 22-yard field goal by the Rockets? Jason Robbins with 3:07 remaining in the second quarter to make the score 10-2. Ohio answered, however, with a 47-yard Brooks Rossman (Seal Beach, Calif.) field goal with just 39 seconds left in the half.

With the score 10-5 at halftime, the Bobcat defense had not allowed a touchdown in six consecutive quarters and had given up only three scores in the previous 15 quarters. But Toledo?s offense came alive in the third quarter and reached the end zone on its first two possessions to make it 24-5.

Following an Everson interception on Ohio?s next possession and a fumble recovery by Bobcat defensive end Kevin Carberry (Oak Lawn, Ill.), Hawk was once again called upon to lead the Green and White offense. The senior fumbled the first snap, however, and the Rockets recovered the ball on their own 26. Toledo scored on an eight-yard run by Quinton Broussard 10 plays later, pushing the score to 31-5 with 3:07 left in the third quarter.

?They were making some big plays in the third quarter and we just didn?t respond well,? said Knorr. ?That?s disappointing because we knew they would make big plays but we didn?t answer after they made big plays.?

On the Rockets? first possession of the fourth quarter, though, junior Brad Young (Wellston) blocked a Brett Kern punt out of the end zone for Ohio?s second safety of the game.

Down 31-7, the Bobcats scored their first touchdown of the game on their very next possession. The seven-play, 36-yard drive was capped by a four-yard toss from Hawk to sophomore tight end Corey Logan (Columbus). Ohio?s two-point attempt failed, however, and the score remained 31-13 until the final gun.

Toledo racked up 400 total yards (285 passing, 115 rushing) compared to 230 (132 passing, 98 rushing) for the Bobcats.

?We thought we had some things early with the toss and made some positive ground,? Knorr said. ?I felt like we could have had more yards inside but we?ll just have to look at the film and find out where the breakdowns were. We need to respond to this in all phases.?

On the day, Hawk completed seven of 14 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown while Everson finished 7-of-17 for 55 yards with an interception. Their counterpart, Gradkowski, was 26-of-37 for 285 yards and one touchdown.

Kalvin McRae (Decatur, Ga.) led the Bobcat ground attack with 50 yards on 11 carries. Ohio senior Justin Roush (Pomeroy) saw his first action since the season-opener and gained 21 yards on seven carries. Broussard led all rushers with 16 attempts for 80 yards and a score.

Nine different players caught passes for the Bobcats, who were led by Mayle?s four receptions for 33 yards. Toledo?s Lance Moore recorded his ninth career 100-yard performance with eight catches for 136 yards and a touchdown.

The Rockets (5-2, 4-0 MAC) have won their last five games and 11 straight at home. They are 28-1 at the Glass Bowl since the middle of the 1999 season.

Ohio will try to rebound against Bowling Green in next Saturday?s 2 p.m. Homecoming game at Peden Stadium. For ticket information, please contact the Ohio Athletics Ticket Office at 593-1300, toll-free at 800-575-CATS or online by CLICKING HERE. A link to a complete list of Homecoming activities is also provided HERE.