PAW PRINTS: The Week Ahead on Ohio Athletics

Monday, October 12

Kettering, Ohio

8:45 a.m. ET

2026 Moraine Intercollegiate

PAW PRINTS: The Week Ahead on Ohio Athletics

10/12/2026 2:00:00 PM | Field Hockey, Football, General, Men's Cross Country, Men's Golf, Softball, Women's Cross Country, Women's Soccer, Women's Swimming and Diving, Women's Volleyball

ATHENS, Ohio – After a successful Homecoming in Athens, Ohio field hockey and soccer continue their pushes to the MAC tournament, while volleyball is back in the Convo! Check out everything that's ahead for Ohio Athletics in this week's Paw Prints.

FOOTBALL
Oct. 17 / at Sacramento State / Sacramento, Calif. / Hornet Stadium / 10:00 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Listen / Ohio Notes / Sacramento State Notes / Digital Guide

The Ohio football team (4-2, 2-0 MAC) heads out west to take on Sacramento State (1-5, 0-3 MAC) on Saturday, Oct. 17. Kickoff is set for 10:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on ESPN+. The Bobcats' matchup can also be heard on The Varsity Sports Network. Veteran Ohio radio personality Marty Bannister is reprising his role as Ohio's play-by-play broadcaster. Bannister will be joined by color analyst Rob Cornelius, who has been part of the broadcasts for more than two decades.

This matchup marks the first time the two teams have matched up, with Sacramento State being the Mid-American Conference's newest member, playing their inaugural season at the FBS level.

Ohio is coming off its third straight victory, which marked the 16th straight on Frank Solich Field for the nation's second-longest home winning streak. The Bobcats put up their most complete performance of the season in the 31-14 win against Central Michigan. Ohio totaled 245 yards on the ground and 158 through the air. Individually, graduate student quarterback Nick Poulos saw his first action in nearly a month, completing 11 passes for 158 yards and three touchdowns, including a career-long 44-yard touchdown pass to redshirt sophomore wide receiver Dom Dorwart for his second touchdown grab of the season. Junior running back Duncan Brune posted his best game of the season, rushing for 91 yards and crossing the goal line for the first time this season. Redshirt Sophomore Riley Neer caught his fifth touchdown pass of the season while redshirt freshman Preston Bowman caught his first career touchdown pass. Defensively, redshirt freshman Jermain Minnis had an impressive first start, leading both defenses with 12 tackles. Redshirt senior linebacker Michael Molnar filled the stat sheet once again, totaling five tackles, two sacks, one quarterback hurry, and one forced fumble. In the secondary, redshirt junior cornerback Kendall Bannister tallied six tackles, including five solo, while redshirt junior safety DJ Walker and redshirt sophomore JT Haskins recorded four tackles each.

Sacramento State has yet to record its first MAC win after falling to Bowling Green, 38-10. Quarterback Jackson Sharman completed 13 passes for 145 yards and one touchdown. The running back duo of Isaiah Ene and Daniel Swinney combined for 91 yards on the ground, and wide receiver Matthew Coleman led the team with 85 receiving yards and one touchdown on six catches. Safety Boogsie Silvera led the Hornets defensively with nine tackles and hauled in his first interception of the season. Cornerback Caleb Reese recorded seven tackles, and four players tallied five tackles each.

MEN'S GOLF
Oct. 12-3 / at 2026 Moraine Intercollegiate / Kettering, Ohio / Moraine Country Club / 8:45 a.m. ET / Live Results
Oct. 12-3 / at 2026 Raider Individual / Beavercreek, Ohio / CC of the North / 11 a.m. ET / Live Results

Ohio men's golf is back in action for two events this week starting with the 2026 Moraine Intercollegiate Oct. 12-13 at the Moraine Country Club in Kettering, Ohio. The event tees off each day at 8:45 a.m. ET with two rounds on Monday, before the final 18 holes on Tuesday. Ohio is also participating in the 2026 Raider Individual Oct. 12-13 at CC of the North in Bevercreek, Ohio. The two-day event begins at 11 a.m. with 36 homes of Monday and 18 holes on Tuesday.

Competing at the 2026 Moraine Intercollegiate are: VCU, Dayton, Xavier, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Miami, Sam Houston, Rhode Island, George Mason, Minnesota, UAB, Ohio, Wright State, UConn, Jax State and Penn State.

Competing for Ohio is junior Mikey Schutte, sophomores Rylan Hall and Gabriel Mainella and freshmen Jack Marsh and Cole Jones.

The Bobcats are sending freshman Will Mangas to the 2026 Raider Individual to compete as an individual.

SWIM AND DIVE
Oct.15 / vs. Illinois State / Athens, Ohio / Ohio University Aquatics Center / 5 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Digital Guide
Oct.16 / vs. Illinois State / Athens, Ohio / Ohio University Aquatics Center / 10 a.m. ET / Digital Guide

The Ohio swim and dive program opens the home slate of their schedule this week when the Bobcats host Illinois State Oct. 15-16 at the Ohio University Aquatics Center. Thursday's events are set to begin at 5 p.m. ET and can be seen on ESPN+. Friday's events scheduled for 10 a.m. ET and will not be streamed.

Ohio is coming off a successful Green and White Scrimmage last weekend in Athens.

Prior to the Green and White, Ohio opened their season with a split of their tri-meet against Miami and North Florida in Coal Gables, Fla. The Bobcats defeated North Florida, 221.00-72.00 and fell to Miami,193.00-106.00.

In the 50 free, senior Zita Szoke placed first in 22.92 and then followed that up by winning the 100 fly with a time of 54.40. In diving, senior Astrid Pichardo opened her season on fire, securing NCAA Zone cuts in both the 1-meter and 3-meter events. Pichardo placed third in both, scoring 278.63 in the 1-meter and 315.90 in the 3-meter. Both Szoke and Pichardo earned MAC Swimmer and Diver of the Week honors for their accomplishments.

Illinois State is currently 1-1 and is coming off a 240-58 loss at Indiana State last Friday.

SOCCER
Oct. 15 / at Miami / Oxford, Ohio / Bobby Kramig Field / 7 p.m. ET / Watch / Live Stats
Oct. 18 / vs Eastern Michigan / Athens, Ohio / Chessa Field / 1 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Digital Guide

This week, Ohio soccer (4-7-1, 1-4-1 MAC) is back in action for two important MAC contests. The weekend begins on Thursday, Oct. 15 when the Bobcats head to Oxford, Ohio to take on Miami (6-5-3, 2-1-3 MAC). First touch is set for 7 p.m. ET at Bobby Kramig Field and can be seen on the Miami Athletics website. Ohio then returns to Athens on Sunday, Oct. 18 when Ohio hosts Eastern Michigan (6-2-4, 4-1-1 MAC). First touch is set for 1 p.m. ET at Chessa Field and can be seen on ESPN+.

Ohio is coming off an 0-1 week where the Bobcats fell to Kent State on Sunday at home. Senior Jaimason Brooker leads Ohio with three goals, two assists and eight points, while freshman Meaghan Cochrane adds three goals and six points. In goal, freshman Ayla Rammel has seen action in 11 matches and has made 10 starts, allowing 20 goals and making 45 saves for a .692 save percentage.

Miami is currently 6-5-3 overall and 2-1-3 in MAC play. The RedHawks are coming off a win at EMU on Sunday. Kayla Perfect leads Miami with five goals, two assists and 12 points, while Katie O'Malley adds three goals, three assists and nine points. In goal, Dominique Popa has made all 14 starts, allowing 16 goals and making 39 saves for a .709 save percentage.

Eastern Michigan is currently 6-2-4 overall and 4-1-1 in MAC play and is coming off a home loss to Miami on Sunday. Christie Fransen leads the Eagles with five points, two assists and 12 points. In goal, Ella Holland has made all 12 starts, allowing seven goals and making 30 saves for a .811 save percentage.

FIELD HOCKEY
Oct. 16 / vs. James Madison / Athens, Ohio / Pruitt Field / 2 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats
Oct. 18 / at Longwood / Farmville, Va. / Elizabeth Burger Jackson Field / 12 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats

Field hockey (6-6, 3-2 MAC) is back in action for two MAC games this weekend starting on Friday, October. 16 when the Bobcats host James Madison (5-6, 4-1 MAC). First touch is set for 2 p.m. ET at Pruitt Field and can be seen on ESPN+. Ohio is back on the road on Sunday, October. 18 when they head to Farmville, Va. to take on Longwood. the game is set for 12 p.m. ET at Elizabeth Burger Jackson Field and can be seen on ESPN+.

Ohio is coming off an 0-2 weekend that saw the Bobcats fall to back-to-back ranked opponents in No. 13 Miami and No. 12 Indiana on the road. Deborah James leads Ohio in scoring with four goals, seven assists and 15 points, while Tori Cisney adds six goals and 12 points. In goal, Molly Schreiner has made 11 starts and has recorded 69 saves for a .639 save percentage.

James Madison is currently 5-6 overall, 4-1 in MAC play and are coming off a win at Bellarmine on Friday at home. Avery Ruckman leads JMU with six goals, two assists and 14 points, while Bryanna Hill adds four goals, three assists and 11 points. In goal, Lilly Sweeney has made 11 starts, allowing 26 goals and making 41 saves for a .612 save percentage.

Longwood is 0-11 overall and 0-5 in MAC play and are coming off losses against Central Michigan and Michigan State last weekend. They will take on Kent State on Friday before hosting Ohio. Channy Johnson leads Longwood with one goal, three assists and five points. In goal, Sophie Mooldijk has made 11 starts and has allowed 58 goals and has made 139 saves for a .706 save percentage.

VOLLEYBALL
Oct. 16 / vs Ball State / Athens, Ohio / Convocation Center / 6 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Digital Guide / Tickets / Dig Pink: Free Pink TShirts
Oct. 17 / vs Ball State / Athens, Ohio / Convocation Center / 4 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Digital Guide / Tickets / Morgans Message

Ohio volleyball (11-6, 4-2 MAC) will be back in action at home this week with a two-game conference series against Ball State (12-5, 3-3 MAC). The Bobcats will kick off competition with the Cardinals on Friday, Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. ET. Both games will be available to watch on ESPN+.

Ohio has an 11-6 overall and 4-2 conference record heading into the weekend. The Bobcats average 13.71 kills, 12.69 assists, 1.47 aces, 12.73 digs and 1.69 blocks per set. Ohio currently has a .253 team hitting percentage.

Ball State has a 12-5 overall and 3-3 conference record heading into the weekend. The Cardinals average 14.52 kills, 13.64 assists, 1.21 aces, 17.25 digs and 1.69 blocks per set. Ball State currently has .259 team hitting percentage.

CROSS COUNTRY
Oct.16 / Under Armour Pre National Invitational / Terre Haute, Ind./ LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course/ Women's 6K: 10 a.m. ET; Men's 8k: 10:40 a.m. ET / Watch / Meet Info

After a two-week break, the Ohio men's and women's cross country teams are back in action this week at the Under Armour Pre-National Invitational. Competition will take place on Friday, Oct. 16 in Terre Haute, Ind. The women's 6k is set to start at 10 a.m. ET, while the men's 8k is scheduled for 10:40 a.m. ET.

Last time out, both teams competed at the Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational. Junior Reece Savage (Johnstown, Ohio) led the women's team in the 6k race with a PR of 2-:29.49. Junior Michael Dellasanta led the men's team in the 8k race with a PR of 23:46.42.

SOFTBALL
Oct. 18 / vs Ohio Dominican (10 Innings) / Athens, Ohio / Ohio Softball Field / 2 p.m. ET

Ohio softball concludes its fall slate on Sunday, October. 18 when they host Ohio Dominican for a 10-inning game. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. ET at the Ohio Softball Field.