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ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio football team returned home for a matchup against conference opponent Central Michigan. The Bobcats were defeated by the Chippewas 30-27 on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 9). 

"Let me start out by saying, we are disappointed," head coach Tim Albin said after the game. "It was a great beautiful day, and I thought our team again played their tails off. We just have to find a way to make a few more plays down the stretch. I could not be prouder of their effort and there were a lot of good things that came out of the adjustments at both sides of the ball at halftime."

Armani Rogers started the game at quarterback and played the entire contest, throwing for 190 yards and completing 72% of his attempts. Sieh Bangura made his Bobcat debut, rushing for 40 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Ohio was led by Jamison Collier (8 solo tackles) and Bryce Houston (6 solo tackles). 

"I am very happy with Armani's performance today," added Albin. "I want to watch the film, I know it is not perfect but there are some good things to with the deep balls."

Ohio and Central Michigan traded turnovers on the first two drives, as Tuggle lost a fumble and Tariq Drake intercepted a Chippewa pass just three plays later. The Bobcats were able to move the ball down the field on their second drive, with a 39-yard pass by Rogers to Miles Cross jumpstarting the drive. Ohio ended the drive with a missed field goal from 47 yards away, turning the ball back over to Central Michigan with the score still tied at 0-0. 

The Chippewas scored the first points of the game on the ensuring possession. A seven play, 70 yard drive ended with a short touchdown run, putting Central Michigan up 7-0 with 5:25 remaining in the first quarter. Ohio responded with a scoring drive of their own, going on a 10 play, 4 minute and 52 second drive that ended with a Stephen Johnson field goal from 29 yards away. The first quarter ended with the score still at 7-3.

Ohio forced a Central Michigan punt on the next drive, limiting the Chippewas to just 11 yards on six plays. The Bobcats were unable to find much more success on their following drive, however, as Ohio was forced to punt the ball back to Central Michigan with 11:11 remaining in the second quarter. 

The Chippewas started their next possession with a 36 yard rush, getting to midfield after just one play. Ohio's defensive unit bent but did not break however, as Central Michigan was held to just a field goal to end the drive. The 34 yard kick extended the Chippewas lead to 10-3 with 7:01 remaining in the first half. 

Ohio put their first touchdown of the game on the board with their next drive. A nine play, 75 yard drive ended with a Rogers touchdown run from four yards out. The drive took 4:17 off the game clock and tied the game at 10-10 with 2:44 remaining in the 2nd quarter.

Central Michigan was able to drive inside the redzone on their next possession, but Ohio's defense once again dug in deep and forced another field goal attempt. The Chippewas booted in their second field goal of the first half from 35 yards out, and went into the locker room with a 13-10 lead at halftime.

The first half was similar for both teams in terms of total yardage, as Central Michigan gained 232 on 34 plays while Ohio tallied 219 on 35 snaps. The Bobcats gained 130 yards through the air, while the Chippewas led the charge on the ground with 132 yards. 

Central Michigan received the second half kickoff and quickly advanced the ball into Ohio's side of the field. The Bobcats were able to turnover the Chippewas though, as Drake stepped in front of a 3rd down pass for his second interception of the afternoon. The subsequent return set up the Bobcats on Central Michigan's 45 yard line, where Ohio's offense went to work for the first time in the second half. Aided by a roughing the passer penalty, the Bobcat offense scored a touchdown in just three plays on a two yard Tuggle run. With the extra point being missed, Ohio took a 16-13 lead with 11:44 left in the third quarter. 

A three-and-out by Central Michigan gave the ball back to the Bobcats with 10:22 left in the third quarter. A 24 yard drive on 11 plays ended with a successful field goal attempt by from 44 yards by Johnson, extending Ohio's lead to 19-13 with 4:18 left in the third quarter. The Chippewas responded with a touchdown drive, spanning nine plays and 75 yards in just over three minutes. A seven yard touchdown rush, and subsequent extra point, gave Central Michigan a 20-19 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Ohio's next possession (8 plays, 60 yards) was capped off by Bangura's first career touchdown on his first touch as a Bobcat. Ohio successfully converted on a two point attempt, as Cox completed a pass to Adam Luehrman on a trick play. With the scoring drive, the Bobcats retook the lead at 27-20 with 11:57 remaining in the game.  
 
Central Michigan was able to add three points to their total after a 40 yard field goal sailed through the uprights with 10:06 left in the game, cutting Ohio's lead to 27-23. The Bobcats were unable to add to their four point gap, ending their next drive with a punt back to the Chippewas at the 6:38 mark. 
 
Central Michigan put themselves back in the lead on their next drive, scoring a touchdown on a 28 yard pass with just under four minutes left. Ohio, unable to pick up a first down on their next drive, punted the ball back to the Chippewas with 2:34 left. Equipped with all three timeouts, the Bobcats had one more opportunity to get the ball back, but were unable to stop Central Michigan on third down. The Chippewas ran out the remainder of the clock, ending the game with a 30-27 win over the Bobcats.
 
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