by T.J. Lasita

ATHENS, Ohio ? The Ohio University football team defended its home turf for the second time in as many chances in 2004, shutting out Buffalo 34-0 in a Mid-American Conference tilt at Peden Stadium Saturday night.

Sophomore linebacker Matt Muncy (Miamisburg) had a career night as he recorded 15 tackles, one sack, his first career interception and his first career fumble return for a touchdown.

?This obviously was a very big game for us,? said Ohio head coach Brian Knorr. ?While there were some crazy things that happened tonight, we always came back and stepped up to the challenge. I thought this was our best all-around game.?

The Bobcats (2-2 overall, 1-1 MAC) capitalized on five Buffalo (0-4, 0-2 MAC) turnovers as they improved to .500 overall and in the MAC.

Before the Ohio offense ever got a chance to take the field, the Bobcat defense lit up the scoreboard. With just more than 12 minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Bulls threw their first pass of the contest, which Ohio linebacker Tyler Russ (Stetsonville, Wis.) picked off and ran untouched to the end zone to put the Bobcats ahead 7-0.

Midway through the second quarter, Buffalo looked to be on the verge of tying the score. With the Bulls threatening deep in Ohio territory, the Bobcat defense struck again. Buffalo quarterback P.J. Piskorik lofted a pass into the end zone but Ohio?s T.J. Wright (Beaumont, Texas) pulled it down as the Bobcats averted a potential score.

On the first offensive play of the ensuing drive, the Bobcats went to the air. Senior quarterback Ryan Hawk (Centerville) hooked up with sophomore wide receiver Scott Mayle (Philippi, W.Va.), who scampered 80 yards up the right sideline and into the end zone. The point-after attempt was unsuccessful but the Bobcats remained on top 13-0.

To begin the second half, the Bulls put together another threatening drive but once again the Bobcat defense thwarted the opportunity. Muncy intercepted a pass at his own 19 and the Bobcats took over.

Ohio was forced to punt on that possession and again Buffalo looked like it was putting together a scoring drive. But again, the Ohio defense stopped a potential threat. Deep inside the Bobcat red zone, Buffalo tailback Jared Patterson fumbled at the Ohio 3. Muncy collected the fumble and ran it back 98 yards into the end zone.

?At first, I thought I was going to get tackled there right away,? Muncy said. ?But after I got past the quarterback and didn?t see anybody in front of me, I knew I was going to make it. There were only linemen chasing me.?

The two-point attempt failed but the Bobcats stayed in the driver?s seat 19-0.

In the fourth quarter, the Bobcats put together their first traditional scoring drive of the evening. Hawk found sophomore tight end Rudy Sylvan (Suisan City, Calif.) in the end zone, capping a 12-play, 72-yard drive. The Bobcats converted the two-point conversion attempt and went ahead 27-0.

Later in the quarter, with back-up quarterback Austen Everson (Brentwood, Tenn.) in the game, the Bobcats tacked on another score. Kalvin McRae (Decatur, Ga.) finished off a 54-yard drive with a plunge from two yards out. After a successful PAT, Ohio led 34-0 and would carry that lead through the final gun.

Hawk completed 11 of 19 passes for 192 yards and two scores. McRae led the ground attack, picking up 79 yards on 15 carries.

Mayle caught five passes for a career-high 134 yards. That mark is the most receiving yards by an Ohio player since Mayle registered 119 against Akron on Nov. 15, 2003.

On the horizon for Ohio is a visit to Lexington, Ky., where the Bobcats will step out of conference play to face off with the Kentucky Wildcats of the Southeastern Conference. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. at Commonwealth Stadium.