September 13, 2008
Final Stats
Postgame Notes
Postgame Quotes
ATHENS, Ohio - Junior quarterback Boo Jackson (Gardena, Calif.) exploded for a school single-game record 413 yards of total offense against Central Michigan on Saturday, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Chippewas as the Ohio University football team dropped a 31-28 decision at Peden Stadium. The contest was the home and conference opener for the Bobcats, who fell to 0-3 (0-1 Mid-American Conference) on the year for the first time since 2002. Central Michigan improved to 2-1 (1-0 MAC) for the season.
This game marked the first meeting between the Bobcats and the Chippewas since Nov. 30, 2006, when Central Michigan defeated Ohio 31-10 in the MAC championship game. Central Michigan now leads the series with the `Cats 20-4-2. The Chippewas had not won at Peden Stadium since 1994, and Ohio has now not beaten Central Michigan since Oct. 13, 2001.
In a game dominated by offense, Ohio opened the scoring with a 12-yard touchdown run by junior running back Chris Garrett (Bristow, Va.), capping a seven-play, 87-yard drive to put the Bobcats ahead 7-0.
After holding Central Michigan to three plays, Ohio wasted no time, scoring on the first play of the possession with a 45-yard pass from Jackson to Garrett for the latter's second touchdown of the game. Ohio's lead stood at 14-0 in the first quarter.
The Chippewas responded in the second quarter with an 83-yard march down the field, ending with a 32-yard field goal from junior Andrew Aguila, making the score 14-3.
Late in the second quarter, the Chippewas had another long drive, capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Ontario Sneed to narrow the Bobcat lead to 14-10. The Bobcats held the lead at the half for the third-straight game.
In the second half, Central Michigan took the lead with the only points of the third quarter on a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown by sophomore Antonio Brown, putting the Bobcats down for the first time in the game, 17-14.
The fourth quarter produced an offensive barrage, started by a 13-play, 75-yard drive led by Central Michigan's junior quarterback Dan LeFevour. Ontario Sneed recorded a three-yard touchdown run to up the Chippewas' lead to 24-14.
The Bobcats answered on their next possession, scoring on a 43-yard pass from Jackson to redshirt-freshman Donte Harden (Erie, Pa.), closing the gap to 24-21.
LeFevour then led the Chippewas back down the field, completing passes of 44 and 27 yards in the drive, to score the touchdown himself on a two-yard scramble, again putting Central Michigan up by ten.
Ohio wasn't done, responding with a 77-yard touchdown reception by Chris Garrett, his third touchdown of the game, on the first play of the next possession. Central Michigan then held the lead, 31-28, and would not relinquish it the remainder of the game.
Ohio finished with 513 yards of total offense to mark the 10th-best single-game performance in school history. With his arm, Jackson was 17-31 for 365 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Garrett led the receiving corps with three catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns, setting a career-high for receiving yards and touchdowns. Seniors Michael Brown (Cincinnati, Ohio) and junior Steven Jackson (Austin, Texas) and junior Lee Renfro (Burnside, Ky.) led the defense with 10 tackles each.
Central Michigan's LeFevour finished 28-42 for 361 yards. He did not throw a touchdown pass for the first time since Sept. 29, 2007 versus Northern Illinois. With LeFevour at the helm, the Chippewas went 8-16 on third-down conversions and recorded 21 first downs.
Next Saturday, Sept. 20, Ohio heads to Northwestern to take on the Wildcats. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET.
