ATHENS, Ohio ? The Ohio football team unveiled its new offense in a big way Saturday night, knocking out the Virginia Military Institute 42-14 in the 2004 season opener at Peden Stadium.

The Bobcats finished the contest with 459 yards of total offense and put up the most points an Ohio squad has scored since 2002.

?It?s exciting to start the season off with a win, especially at home,? said Ohio head coach Brian Knorr.

While the new-look offense took center stage, it was the Ohio defense that drew first blood. On VMI?s first possession, sophomore cornerback T.J. Wright (Beaumont, Tx.) picked off a pass at the Keydet 41 and scampered nearly untouched into the end zone, giving the Bobcats the early lead.

Then it became the offense?s turn to shine. After converting two fourth-down conversions, the Bobcats lit up the scoreboard. On the first play of the second quarter, senior quarterback Ryan Hawk (Centerville) found senior tight end Ryan Antle (Wrightwood, Calif.) in the end zone on a play-action pass from four yards out. The score put the finishing touches on 15-play, 54-yard drive, lasting more than six minutes and giving Ohio the 14-0 advantage.

The Bobcats were not finished showing off the air attack, though. After inducing a VMI punt, Hawk drove the Bobcats down the field once again. Sophomore tight end Rudy Sylvan (Suisan City, Calif.) took his first catch in an Ohio uniform and turned it into his first touchdown as a Bobcat as he hooked up with Hawk from 21 yards out.

With Ohio on top 21-0, VMI came alive for the first time. The Keydets put together a nine play, 71-yard drive that culminated in a 30-yard touchdown toss from sophomore quarterback Jonathan Wilson to junior wide receiver Zohn Burden. A successful point-after attempt made the score 21-7 with 6:20 remaining.

That score lasted through the half until Ohio struck again in the third quarter. This time, the Bobcats went to the ground game. Freshman running back Kalvin McRae (Decatur, Ga.) took a handoff and bounced through the VMI defense for nine yards and the score. The ensuing point-after attempt was good and the Bobcats led 28-7.

Then the defense got back in the scoring act. With VMI deep in its own territory, sophomore linebacker Matt Muncy (Miamisburg) sacked the Keydets quarterback in the backfield, jarring the ball loose. Tyler Russ (Stetsonville, Wisc.) picked up the fumble and ran it into the end zone from 19 yards out, giving Ohio the 35-7 advantage.

It didn?t take long for Ohio to touch up the scoreboard again. Hawk needed just more than one minute to lead the Bobcats down the field again. He hooked up with sophomore wide receiver Chris Jackson (Seale, Ala.) for 51 yards, then handed off to McCrae who rumbled into the end zone from 18 yards out, giving the Bobcats a 42-7 lead.

VMI fought back but it wasn?t enough. Back-up Keydet quarterback Josh Lyles lofted a pass over the shoulder of Burden, who hauled it in for the score from six yards out. That made the score 42-14, which stood through the final gun.

Hawk completed 13 of 24 passes for 223 yards and three scores. McRae ended his first game as a Bobcat with 100 yards on 18 carries, while senior Justin Roush (Pomeroy) rumbled for 130 ground yards on 16 carries, including a 49-yard rush.

Senior safety Rob Stover (Galena) led the defensive attack with seven tackles ? two for a loss ? and one sack. Muncy recorded six tackles, one for a loss.

Ohio looks to continue its winning ways next week at Pittsburgh, whose Sept. 6 season opener at South Florida was postponed until December due to Hurricane Frances. The Bobcats and Panthers will hook up Saturday at 7 p.m. at Heinz Field. For Bobcat Bash tailgate information, please CLICK HERE!

NOTES:

T.J. Wright led Ohio in interceptions last season with three? Wright also recorded an interception in the 2003 season opener.

Ryan Antle?s first quarter touchdown reception was his first in a Bobcat uniform?He also caught the longest pass of his career, a 21-yard catch in the second quarter?Antle finished the day with three catches, a career high.

Rudy Sylvan?s first score as a Bobcat also marked his first catch at Ohio.

Ohio called a passing play on five of its first six offensive opportunities.

Tyler Russ? first quarter sack was his first since Oct. 11, 2003?Russ missed a portion of the 2003 season after suffering a knee injury.

The third quarter fumble recovery and ensuing touchdown were both career firsts for Russ?Ohio had not returned a fumble for a touchdown since 2002, Andre Parker completed the feat against Central Florida in 2002.

Scott Mayle?s three receptions are one shy of his career high of four, against Akron in 2003.

Kalvin McRae and Justin Roush both ran for more than 100 yards. Ohio has not had two 100+-yard rushers since Dontrell Jackson and Chad Brinker teamed up to do it in 2002 versus Buffalo.

Michael Graham recorded his first career fumble recovery in the fourth quarter.

Chris Jackson?s 51-yard catch in the fourth quarter was one yard shy of his entire 2003 yard total.

14 points is the fewest number of points Ohio has allowed since Oct.11, 2003, in a 28-0 defeat of Central Florida.

42 points is the most an Ohio squad has scored since putting up 50 points in a win versus Kent State in 2002.

Ohio is 6-0-1 the last seven times it has opened the season at Peden Stadium?The Bobcats are 60-42-16 all-time in season openers.