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AKRON, Ohio— Highlighted by quarterback
Kurtis Rourke becoming the second leading passer in program history, the Ohio football team (9-3, 6-2 MAC) wrapped up the 2023 season with a 25-14 victory over the Akron Zips (2-10, 1-7 MAC).
Rourke (Oakville, Ontario, Ohio) finished the day 19-for-30 with one passing touchdown on 208 yards. When claiming the No. 2 spot among all-time passers, Rourke passed his brother, Nathan Rourke, who recorded 7457 from 2017-19.
Junior wide receiver
Miles Cross (Bowie, Md.) scored the sole passing touchdown of the game and lead the receivers with seven receptions on 103 yards. Redshirt senior
Tyler Foster (Pickerington, Ohio) recorded four receptions while graduate student wide receiver
Sam Wiglusz had three catches on 30 yards.
On the ground, redshirt sophomore running back
Sieh Bangura (Bowie, Md.) and Rourke each scored one touchdown. Bangura led the rushers with 121 net yards and 23 attempts while Rourke had nine carries on 10 yards.
Graduate student linebacker
Bryce Houston (Lewis Center, Ohio) led the defense with six tackles—including three solo stops—and one interception. Redshirt sophomore cornerback
Torrie Cox Jr. (Miami Gardens, Fla.) and graduate student linebacker
Keye Thompson (Barberton, Ohio) recorded five tackles each.
Kicker
Gianni Spetic (Chardon, Ohio) kicked a 26-yard field goal on the opening drive, giving the Bobcats an early 3-0 lead. Akron answered in the second quarter, wrapping up a 66-yard drive with a 43-yard passing touchdown, putting Ohio at a four-point deficit. With 1:50 remaining in the half, another Akron touchdown put the score at 14-3.
Rourke scored Ohio's first touchdown of the day with 8:20 left in the third quarter. The graduate student followed with a successful two-point conversion to redshirt fifth year wide receiver
Tyler Walton (St. Louis, Mo.), cutting the Zips' lead to 14-11. Their next drive, Ohio reclaimed the lead with a one-yard passing touchdown to Cross. After Spetic's successful extra point, the Zips trailed by four.
Houston cut Akron's next drive short, snagging the ball less than a minute into the drive. The Bobcats proceeded to open the final 15 minutes of play with a 15-play, 64-yard drive that culminated with a rushing touchdown by Bangura. After Spetic's successful PAT, Ohio extended their lead to 25-14.
The Bobcats' defense held the Zips for the rest of the game, allowing Ohio's offense to reclaim possession for the final drive of the game. Rourke took a knee as the Bobcats went into victory formation, solidifying their 25-14 victory over the Akron Zips to close the regular season.
Follow Ohio football on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@ohiofb) or check OhioBobcats.com for updates on the Bobcats' post-season bowl game.
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