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ATHENS, Ohio – One of the calendar's most anticipated games of the year for Ohio fans will take place this Saturday when the Ohio football program takes on Northern Illinois for its annual Homecoming football game. 
 
The Bobcats have won ten straight games at Peden Stadium at Frank Solich Field, one of the longest home winning streaks in the nation. In addition to an elongated home winning streak, Ohio hasn't lost a Homecoming game since 2021. 
 
With excitement from the community, Ohio is ready to build on its homecoming history and continue its tradition of "Defending the Frank." While the goal remains the same for the Bobcats, three upperclassmen are particularly excited to celebrate one last homecoming. 
 
Returning home for Homecoming 
 
For redshirt senior running back Sieh Bangura (Bowie, Md.)  Homecoming means a little more this year. 
 
Bangura, who returns to the Bobcats after a one-year hiatus at a different school, is excited to play in front of the fans who welcomed him to college football his freshman year. 
 
"It means a lot more, for sure," Bangura said, "All the fans showed love when I came back, so it means a lot to get out there and play for these fans."
 
In his four seasons with the Bobcats, Bangura has become one of Ohio's Homecoming heroes. Something about the game brings out the absolute best in him. 
 
"It just means a lot every year. A lot of family always comes to Homecoming— every year since my true freshman year," Bangura said. "I look back to when I scored my first ever touchdown during my true freshman year... my first carry on Homecoming. It was crazy."
 
Bangura has scored a total of six touchdowns in three Homecoming games thus far in his career. Against Northern Illinois on Saturday, he's ready to make more big plays.  
 
"Football is something I play for the fans that love to watch the game, the excitement, and my family back home watching me. That's what I play the game for," Bangura said.
 
One last Homecoming hurrah 
 
Senior safety Adonis Williams Jr. (Cleveland Heights, Ohio), one of Ohio's longest tenured players, hasn't quite grasped that this will be his final Homecoming game. Coming to Ohio prior to the 2022 season, Williams still remembers what it was like to be one of the younger guys in the locker room. 
 
"It was definitely crazy to see that I'm the senior, like, I'm the older guy," Williams said.
 
Ohio's seniors will also be celebrated during the Homecoming game, which is something Williams and his fellow upperclassmen are excited for. Nonetheless, the goal for the team remains the same. 
 
"It's, in a sense, the same; we have the same drive going into every week," Williams said. "So, it is senior night and Homecoming, but it's still another week to get better as a team."
 
The most essential part of any Homecoming for Williams is the ability to play in front of a packed stadium and put on a show for Ohio football fans. While Ohio has already played in front of record-breaking crowds at home this year, nothing quite equates to Homecoming for the seniors. 
 
"Every week, the fans come with their energy, and it just means a lot to me," Williams said. "It helps me and the guys come out here trying to give it our all, and it's something to look forward to every week."
 
Homecoming first-timer
 
Even for players who have never experienced an Ohio Homecoming, such as graduate student linebacker Cameron Hollobaugh (Warren, Ohio), the week still brings anticipation and excitement. 
 
"It'll be good to have a good crowd and good environment... people coming back, watching their alma mater and cheering on the Bobcats," Hollobaugh said. 
 
Previously at Walsh University, Hollobaugh never had the opportunity to perform in front of the crowds that Ohio has brought this season. Hollobaugh reflected on the impact of the crowd during Ohio's 17-10 win at home against West Virginia earlier this season, and said he expects a similar atmosphere this weekend. 
 
"I came from D2, so our crowds were nothing like this," Hollobaugh said. "It just shows how much of an influence we can have on the community. People come out, and the kids are all cheering. It's sweet to see how inspiring we are to other people."
 
Even though Hollobaugh has just three career home games at Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium, he has bought into the well-established culture of not losing at home. This weekend, Hollobaugh and Ohio will look to ride the energy of their home crowd to a win. 
 
"I mean, home games in general are of big importance for us because we defend the Frank. That's kind of like the mantra of home games," Hollobaugh said. "But Homecoming, you get all your fans, you get all the alumni coming back. The importance definitely rises."
 
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