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ATHENS, Ohio — Ohio needed the offense and defense to play in unison on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 2) if it wanted to beat LIU. Ohio got the complimentary football it wanted and a 24-10 win at Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium. 

LIU got the chance to score first with a field goal attempt in the first quarter. However, Micheal Coney's kick went wide left to give the Bobcats the chance at another drive. With 2:44 left in the first quarter, freshman kicker Gianni Spetic (Chardon, Ohio) put the Bobcats on the board with a 24-yard field goal. 

The defense cleared a window for Ohio to score on back-to-back drives in the second quarter. Graduate student quarterback C.J. Harris (West Bloomfield, Mich.) threw the ball downfield to redshirt fifth year wide receiver Tyler Walton (St. Louis, Mo.) for a three-yard touchdown less than five minutes into the second quarter. Once again, Spetic's PAT was good and Ohio claimed a 10-0 lead.

Saturday was Navarro's first appearance since he sustained an injury against Iowa State last season. 

"It was awesome. The elbow was a pretty long recovery time so it felt great to get the opportunity to go out there and be with the guys," Navarro said. 

After a quick turnover on downs, graduate student quarterback Parker Navarro (Tempe, Ariz.) connected with redshirt sophomore tight end Bryce Butler (Bowie, Md.) for a nine-yard reception and another touchdown. 

LIU didn't have the ball for long before the Bobcats stole it back. Sophomore safety Austin Brawley (Massillon, Ohio) intercepted a pass intended for Owen Glascoe with ease for a five-yard return. 

The Sharks didn't let Ohio enter halftime with a shutout, though. Coney redeemed himself with a 41-yard field goal as the clock wound down to make the score 14-3 at the half. 

Ohio entered the second half with the same finesse it had in the first. Its spirits were high as Navarro found freshman tight end Mason Williams (Mogadore, Ohio) with a 32-yard pass for his first career touchdown. 

Head coach Tim Albin was happy to see the freshman's success. 

"I don't want to restrict them. I want their minds free and not frozen up. I want them playing and flying around," Albin said. "The staff's done a great job with the game plan, maybe not the whole playbook, with some of those young kids. The players that are getting called, we all believe and they believe in, and they're playing fast."

LIU was not willing to back down going into the fourth quarter despite a 24-point deficit. Luca Stanzani dodged Ohio's defenders to connect with Davon Wells 15-yards over for a touchdown. Coney's PAT was good and Ohio's lead was cut.

However, the Bobcats defense finished out the game and secured their seventh-straight win at home. The atmosphere at home drives the Bobcats, but they know that they won't always have it.

"We're going to take The Frank with us on that plane this week, and we're going to go down there and try to get one," Albin said. 

Ohio will travel to FAU on Sept. 9 for a 6 p.m. ET game that will be shown on ESPN+.

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