PAW PRINTS: The Week Ahead in Ohio Athletics

Tuesday, November 3

Kent, OH

6 p.m. ET

Kent State

11/1/2026 6:42:00 PM | Field Hockey, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Women's Swimming and Diving, Women's Volleyball, Wrestling

ATHENS, Ohio – The 2026-27 basketball season tips off on Monday, while football heads to Akron for the start of Midweek MACtion and field hockey begins play in the MAC Tournament! Check out everything that's ahead for Ohio Athletics in this week's Paw Prints.

FOOTBALL
Nov. 3 / at Akron / Akron, Ohio / InfoCision Stadium - Summa Health Field / 7 p.m. ET/ ESPN2 / Watch / Listen / Live Stats / Digital Guide

The Ohio football team (6-2, 4-0 MAC) heads north to take on Akron in midweek MACtion on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The Bobcats will look to stay perfect in MAC play and extend their overall win streak to six games. Kickoff at InfoCision Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on ESPN2 with Eric Rothman and Dustin Fox on the call. 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 34th time the two teams have clashed, with Ohio seeking their eighth straight win against Akron. The last time the Bobcats faced the Zips, Ohio came out victorious, 30-10, after quarterback Parker Navarro and wide receiver Coleman Owen connected for two touchdowns.

Akron will be coming off a week nine bye after dropping their previous six matchups. Akron fell 35-20 in their previous matchup at Kent State. Despite the defeat, the Zips out gained the Golden Flashes 422-376 total yards and rushed for 147 yards. Running back Jordan Gant led the offense with 162 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries, while quarterback Brayden Roggow completed 20-of-34 passes for 275 yards. Wide receiver Kyan Mason led the team with 129 yards on seven receptions, and Miles Burris added four receptions for 72 yards. Akron held a 17-14 lead before Kent State scored 21 unanswered points to ultimately win the game. Defensively, Dwight Nunoo recorded a career-high 11 tackles, while Aamii Branch finished with four tackles and two pass breakups.

Last time out, Ohio pulled off a thrilling win over Eastern Michigan, defeating EMU, 24-20. Ohio clinched bowl eligibility and extended the nation's longest home winning streak to 17 straight wins. Ohio is also 4-0 in MAC play for the first time since 1997. Individually, graduate student Quarterback Nick Poulos threw for 266 yards and a touchdown and had 22 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Riley Neer had five catches for 56 yards while fellow redshirt sophomore wide receiver Dom Dorwart had four catches for a career-high 126 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, redshirt senior Michael Molnar led Ohio with 18 tackles and four tackles for loss. Redshirt senior linebacker Jack Fries(Cincinnati, Ohio) had 10 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss, including two sacks. Redshirt junior safety DJ Walker had eight tackles, while redshirt junior safety Darren James-Hamilton had six tackles, an interception, and a kickoff return touchdown.

MEN'S BASKETBALL
Nov. 2 / at South Alabama / Mobile, Ala. / Mitchell Center / 8 p.m. ET/ ESPN+ / Watch / Listen / Live Stats / Digital Guide
Nov. 7 / vs. North Carolina A&T / Athens, Ohio / Convocation Center / 1 p.m. ET/ ESPN+ / Watch / Listen / Live Stats / Roster Card / Digital Guide / Tickets / Schedule Poster Giveaway

The Ohio men's basketball team (0-0) opens the 2026-27 season this week with two matchups. The season begins on Monday, Nov. 2 when Ohio heads to Mobile, Ala. to take on South Alabama (0-0) in the MAC-SBC Challenge. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET inside the Mitchell Center and can be seen on ESPN+. Ohio then returns to Athens on Saturday, Nov. 7 to host North Carolina A&T (0-0) in the home opener. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. ET inside the Convocation Center and can be seen on ESPN+. Fans in attendance can reviece a free 2026-27 schedule poster.

Ohio finished last season 15-17 overall and 9-9 in MAC play before falling in the MAC Quarterfinals. Last season Ohio averaged 77.9 points a game, while shooting 46.1 percent from the field, 30.8 percent from three and 70.6 percent from the line, while adding 33.6 rebounds a game. Meanwhile, Opponents averaged 79.6 points a game, while shooting 46.1 percent from the field, 36.2 percent from three and 72.8 percent from the line, while adding 36.1 rebounds a game.

Ohio returns four from last year's roster who saw valuable minutes including in fifth year guard Jackson Paveletzke, redshirt senior forward Javan Simmons, redshirt sophomore forward Kiir Kuany and redshirt sophomore guard Jesse Burris. Ohio also returns redshirt junior guard Carter Reese and redshirt freshman forward Zay Mosley who both did not play during the season.

The Bobcats welcome three domestic transfers in senior guard Kyler D'Augustino (IU Indy), redshirt junior Kolton Mitchell (Idaho) and redshirt sophomore center Moek Icke (Rhode Island).

The Bobcats also went overseas, bringing over four international players including graduate student guards Siebe Ledegen (Aalst, Belgium) and Marin Petkov (Skopje, North Macedonia), sophomore forward Dusan Makitan (Banja Luka, Bosnia & Herzegovina) and freshman guard Ché Brogan (Melbourne, Australia).

South Alabama finished the 2025-26 season with a 21-12 overall record and 11-7 in the Sun Belt. The Jags fell to Georgia Southern in the SBC Tournament, and then accepted a bit to the NIT where the fell to Auburn in the first round. Last season, South Alabama averaged 74.4 points a game, while shooting 46.5 percent from the field, 34.8 percent from three and 65.8 percent from the line. The Jags also averaged 35.4 rebounds a game. Meanwhile, opponents averaged 70.1 points a game, while shooting 38.8 percent from the field, 32.7 percent from three and 73.2 percent from the line. Opponents also averaged 36.9 rebounds a game.

NC A&T finished last season 11-19 overall and 4-14 in conference play. Last season the Aggies averaged 75.1 points a game, while shooting 46.1 percent from the field, 31.7 percent from three and 71.6 percent from the line, while averaging 36.9 rebounds a game. Opponents averaged 77.8 points a game, while shooting 45.4 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from three and 69.1 percent fron the line, while averaging 33.1 rebounds a game.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Nov. 2 / vs. UL Monrose / Athens, Ohio / Convocation Center / 7 p.m. ET/ ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Digital Guide / Roster Card / Tickets

Ohio women's basketball (0-0) kicks off the 2026-27 season with its home opener against Louisiana Monroe (0-0) on Monday, Nov. 2 in the Convocation Center. The first MAC-SBC Challenge matchup of the season for both teams tips off at 7 p.m. ET and can be seen on ESPN+.

The Ohio women's basketball exceeded expectations during the 2025-26 season with an 18-14 overall and 11-7 conference record. After being picked 10th in the preseason poll and missing out on last year's tournament, the Bobcats earned the No. 5 seed at the 2026 MAC Tournament. The Bobcats earned their first WNIT bid since the 2021-22 season before concluding the season with an overtime loss to UMBC. Last season, Ohio averaged 73.0 PPG; shooting 39.9 percent from the field, 32.1 percent from the arc and 65.3 percent from the line. The team averaged 37.0 rebounds, 13.4 assists, 11.6 steals and 2.9 blocks per game. Ohio forced 21.0 turnovers per game and averaged 20.8 points off turnovers.

Louisiana Monroe concluded the 2025-26 season with a 17-16 overall and 7-11 conference record. Last season, ULM averaged 69.7 PPG; shooting 39.6 percent from the field, 32.3 percent from the arc and 67.9 percent from the line. The team averaged 41.2 rebounds, 13.2 assists, 10.2 steals and 1.8 blocks per game. ULM forced 19.1 turnovers per game and averaged 18.1 points off turnovers.

FIELD HOCKEY
Nov. 4 / 2026 MAC Tournament / vs No. 3 James Madison/ Oxford, Ohio / Miami Field Hockey Complex / 2:30 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Championship Central

The No. 6 Ohio Field hockey (7-9, 4-5 MAC) team opens play at the 2026 Mid-American Conference Tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 4 when they take on No. 3 James Madsion (). First touch is set fro 2:30 p.m. ET at the Miami Field Hockey Complex in Oxford, Ohio and can be seen on ESPN+. With a win, Ohio would advance to the MAC semifinals on Thursday, Nov. 5 against No. 2 Miami at 2:30 p.m. ET. The 2026 MAC Championship will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 1 p.m. ET.

UMass enters the tournament as the No. 1 seed, sporting a 17-1 record and a 9-0 mark in MAC play. Miami is the second seed, followed by JMU at three, App State as the fourth seed and Kent State as the fifth seed.

Ohio finished the regular season 7-9 overall and 4-5 in MAC play and is coming off a loss to Kent State at home last Friday. Redshirt freshman Tori Cisney leads Ohio with seven goals on the season and 15 points, while junior Deborah James scored four goals and had eight assists for 16 total points. Sophomore Ava Florance added five goals and one assist and 11 points for the Bobcats. In goal, junior Molly Schreiner started 15 games for the Bobcats, allowing 53 goals and making 81 saves for a .604 save percentage.

James Madison enters the tournament 8-8 overall and 7-2 in conference play. JMU is led by Avery Ruckman with seven goals, three assists and 17 points, while Brynna Hill adds six goals four assists and 16 points. In goal, Lilly Sweeney has made 15 starts allowing 32 goals and making 53 saves for a .624 save percentage.

Ohio and JMU met on Oct. 16 in Athens, with JMU winning, 6-0.

VOLLEYBALL
Nov. 3 / at Kent State / Kent, Ohio / M.A.C. Center/ 6 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats
Nov. 8 / vs Miami / Athens, Ohio / Convocation Center / 4 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Digital Guide / Tickets / Battle of the Bricks

Ohio volleyball (13-10, 6-6 MAC) kicks off this week at Kent State (11-12, 5-7 MAC) on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. ET. The Bobcats return home for their first Battle of the Bricks matchup against Miami (16-7, 8-4 MAC) on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 4 p.m. ET.

Ohio has a 13-10 overall and 6-6 conference record heading into the week. The Bobcats average 13.30 kills, 12.31 assists, 1.40 aces, 12.78 digs and 1.57 blocks per set. Ohio currently has a .238 team hitting percentage.

Kent State has an 11-12 overall and 5-7 conference record heading into the week. The Golden Flashes average 11.24 kills, 10.22 assists, 1.34 aces, 15.40 digs and 1.98 blocks per set. Kent State currently has a .194 team hitting percentage.

Miami has a 16-7 overall and 8-4 conference record heading into the week. The RedHawks average 13.27 kills, 12.28 assists, 1.77 aces, 16.73 digs and 2.02 blocks per set. Miami currently has a .221 team hitting percentage.

SWIM AND DIVE
Nov. 6 / at Marshall / Huntington, W.Va. / Frederick A. Fitch Natatorium / 2 p.m. ET

Ohio swim and dive is back in action after a three-week break when they head to Huntington, W. Va. on Friday, Nov. 6 to take on Marshall. The meet is set to begin at 2 p.m. ET inside the Frederick A. Fitch Natatorium.

Ohio last competed Oct. 15-16 in Athens, defeating Southern Illinois, 193.00-57.00. Senior Zita Szoke was named the MAC Swimmer of the Week for the second time this season for her performance. Overall, Szoke placed first in three individual events and first in three relays, while also breaking her own school record. The event started with the 200 free relay, where in the leadoff leg of the relay, Szoke broke her own 50 free school record, finishing with a time of 22.06, breaking her own time by .04 seconds. Her efforts helped the relay place first with an overall time of 1:31.14.

Szoke was back in action in the 100 free where she placed first with a time of 47.89, before finishing the day in the 400 medley relay where the Bobcats placed first with a time of 3:43.49. Szoke was back in action on day two, starting with the 200 medley relay where Ohio placed first with a time of 1:40.00. She then placed first in the 100 fly (53.29) and then closed out with a win in the 400 free relay (3:22.50).

Marshall is 1-2 this season and is coming off a loss to James Madison at home on Oct. 30.

WRESTLING
Nov. 7 / Ohio Showcase / vs. Bellarmine / Athens, Ohio / Convocation Center / 7 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Results / Digital Guide
Nov. 7 / Ohio Showcase / Ashland vs. UIndy / Athens, Ohio / Convocation Center / 7 p.m. ET / YouTube / Watch / Live Results / Digital Guide
Nov. 7 / Ohio Showcase / Baldwin Walace vs. Wabash / Athens, Ohio / Convocation Center / 7 p.m. ET / YouTube / Watch / Live Results / Digital Guide

The Ohio wrestling team opens the 2026-27 home slate on Saturday, Nov. 7 with the Ohio Showcase. The six-team event will see three mats – a DI, DII, and DIII, all run at the same time. The Ohio Showcase is set to begin at 7 p.m. ET inside the Convocation Center. The DI meet will be streamed on ESPN+, while the other two mats can be seen on YouTube. The DI mat will see Ohio take on Bellarmine, while the DII mat is Ashland vs. UIndy, and the DIII mat is Baldwin Wallace vs. Wabash.

The Bobcats finished last season with a 4-7 overall record and 1-6 in MAC competition.

Ohio's first action of the season was last Sunday (Nov. 1) at the Southeast Open. Sophomore Brayden Teunissen (Belvidere, Ill.) led all Bobcats with five wins, competing in the freshman/sophomore division at 125 lbs. After dropping his opening match, Teunissen won his next five, securing fifth place with an 8-2 decision victory.

Senior Max Hermes (Milan, Ohio) placed sixth in the open division, competing at 165 lbs. Junior Wyatt Schmitt (Shorewood, Ill.) dropped his first match, but won three in a row to finish in sixth place in the 285 lb. open division.

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