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ATHENS, Ohio—Led by a record-breaking offensive performance, the Ohio football team (2-2) defeated the Fordham Rams (3-1), 59-52.

"I said last week, and I will say it again. One thing for certain is that this team has got fight," said head coach Tim Albin. "I challenged them at halftime. They took it well and our guys kept fighting. Unbelievable game at home with another outstanding crowd here on campus."
 
Redshirt junior quarterback Kurtis Rourke (Oakville, Ontario, Canada) made program history, going for 527 yards in the air, breaking a record that was set in 1983. He finished the game 41-for-50 in addition to rushing 45 yards on 10 attempts. The offense also set a program record, gaining 692 total yards.

Both redshirt sophomore running back Tyler Toledo (Canal Winchester, Ohio) and junior wide receiver Jacoby Jones (Tunica, Miss.) each scored their first touchdown as Bobcats while redshirt sophomore wide receiver Keegan Wilburn (Nelsonville, Ohio) made history with the third-longest kickoff return for a touchdown in program history at 98 yards. Freshman kicker Nathanial Vakos (Avon, Ohio) extended his perfect collegiate record, going 1-for-1 on field goals and 6-for-6 on PAT attempts.
 
Ohio opened the game with a 14-play, 75-yard drive that resulted in a one-yard rushing touchdown from Rourke. With 1:24 remaining in the quarter, a 36-yard pass marked redshirt junior Tyler Foster's (Pickerington, Ohio) second collegiate touchdown, giving the Bobcats a 14-0 lead. 
 
The Rams scored their first touchdown with 13:53 remaining in the half, completing an eight-play, 75-yard drive with a 38-yard reception, putting the score at 14-7. Vakos extended the Bobcats' lead with a 34-yard field goal, but Fordham quickly struck, cutting Ohio's lead to three points with a 74-yard reception. 
 
A 13-yard rushing touchdown by Toledo with 2:50 remaining in the half put the Bobcats ahead 24-14, but the Rams answered with their own seven points. With six seconds until halftime, a 21-yard reception by Jones gave the Bobcats a 31-21 lead.

Fordham opened the second half with a touchdown; Wilburn scored on the kickoff return, running 98 yards to reclaim Ohio's 10-point lead. The Rams scored on three-straight drives, taking a 49-38 lead with 53 seconds to go in the third quarter. 
 
Foster started the fourth quarter with a touchdown for the Bobcats. Sophomore wide receiver Miles Cross (Bowie, Md.) successfully caught the two-point conversion, cutting the Rams' lead to three points. A 36-yard Fordham field goal put the score at 52-46. With 52 seconds remaining in the game, Jones tied the game with a 5-yard reception. Vakos' successful point conversion gave Ohio a one-point lead. Redshirt senior linebacker Bryce Houston (Lewis Center, Ohio) closed the game with a 42-yard fumble recovery, putting the final score at 59-52. 
 
Up next, the Bobcats travel to Kent, Ohio to open MAC play on Saturday, Oct. 1. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. and the game can be watched on ESPN+. 
 
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