PAW PRINTS: The Week Ahead in Ohio Athletics

Thursday, September 3

Athens, Ohio

4 p.m. ET

Pittsburgh

PAW PRINTS: The Week Ahead in Ohio Athletics

8/30/2026 11:09:00 AM | Field Hockey, Football, General, Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Volleyball

ATHENS, Ohio – We're turning the calendar to September and that means that Ohio Football is back! The Bobcats open up at Nebraska, while cross country and women's golf open their seasons as well. Not to mention, Ohio Soccer hosts Pitt and Indiana in Athens. Check out everything that's ahead for Ohio Athletics in this week's Paw Prints.

FOOTBALL
Sept. 5 / at Nebraska / Lincoln, Neb. / Memorial Stadium / 12 p.m. ET / FS1 / Watch / Live Stats / Listen / Ohio Notes / Nebraska Notes / Digital Guide

The Ohio football team (0-0) is set to open the 2026 season when it takes on Nebraska (0-0) on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET and can be seen on Fox Sports One with Eric Collins and Spencer Tillman on the call. The Bobcats' matchup can also be heard on The Varsity Sports Network. Veteran Ohio radio personality Marty Bannnister 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 will be the first matchup between the Bobcats and Cornhuskers, but the two schools have a shared history with former head coach Frank Solich. Solich spent 41 seasons at Nebraska as a player, assistant coach, and head coach. Solich led the Cornhuskers to a 58-19 record, the 1999 Big 12 Championship, and a berth in the 2001 BCS National Championship Game. Following his time at Nebraska, Solich joined the Ohio Bobcats coaching staff in 2005, and was head coach until 2020. Solich was the winningest coach in MAC history, with 115 overall wins and the second most conference wins with 77. Solich coached the Bobcats to 11 bowl appearances and the first five bowl victories in program history.

After serving as the interim head coach for the 2025 postseason, John Hauser was named Ohio's 31st head coach in program history (Dec. 26, 2025). Heading into his first season at the helm, he boasts a 1-0 record. Hauser joined Ohio's staff in 2022 as the safeties coach, quickly being promoted to defensive passive game coordinator in 2023 and defensive coordinator before the 2024 season. Hauser's defense helped the Bobcats clinch a 6-0 home record, including holding West Virginia's defense to just 10 points in the home opened (Sept. 6). In 2024, Hauser's defense led the Mid-American Conference and was fifth nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 94.3 yards per game.

Head coach Matt Rhule enters his fourth season at Nebraska after leading the Cornhuskers to consecutive winning seasons and bowl appearances. Nebraska finished 7-6 in 2025 and will be led by junior quarterback Anthony Colandrea, who transferred from UNLV after earning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Mountain West honors. Colandrea threw for 3,459 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2025 and is familiar to Ohio after starting against the Bobcats in the 2025 Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl, where Ohio held UNLV to 10 points in a 17-10 victory.

SOCCER
Sept. 3 / vs Pittsburgh / Athens, Ohio / Chessa Field / 4 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Digital Guide / Bark in the Park
Sept. 6 / vs Indiana / Athens, Ohio / Chessa Field / 1 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Digital Guide / Aaron Rodgers Night

This week, Ohio soccer (1-1-0) remains in Athens for back-to-back matchups against P4 opponents. The week begins on Thursday, Sept. 3 when Ohio hosts Pitt (4-1-1). First touch is set for 4 p.m. ET at Chessa Field and can be seen on ESPN+. It's Bark in the Park and fans can grab a free pup cup for their dogs. Ohio is then back in action on Sunday, Sept. 6 when the Bobcats host Indiana (2-2-1). First touch is set for 1 p.m. ET at Chessa Field and can be seen on ESPN+. It's Aaron Rodgers Night at Chessa, where 50 fans can pick up an autographed Aaron Rodgers picture.

Ohio is coming off a 1-0 week that saw the Bobcats defeat Mercyhurst, 6-0 on Senior Day in Athens. Ohio was led by seniors Jaimason Brooker and Melia Peer as they each scored one goal on three shots. Redshirt senior Ella Deevers scored her first of the season, with two shots on goal. Junior Lillian Weller also scored her first goal of the season and added two shots on goal in 40 minutes played. Sophomore Kiley Bruce scored her first career goal with the Bobcats, and freshman Camille Francis notched her second goal of the season. In goal, sophomore Bella Wyatt got the start, making three saves in 45 minutes played. Freshman Ayla Rammel started the second half, making one save on three shots.

Pitt is 4-1-1 overall and is coming off wins over Liberty and Cornell this past week. The Panthers are led by Lola Abraham and Celine Ottah who both have two goals, and assist and five points. In goal, Elli Johnson has started all six games in goal, allowing five goals and making 18 saves in 540 minutes in net so far this season.

Indiana is 2-2-1 overall and are coming off losses to Xavier and Saint Louis this past weekend. Indiana is led by Maggie Ledwith who has two goals, two assists and six points, while Kennedy Neighbors adds two goals, an assist and five points. In goal, Dani Jacobson has started all five matches, allowing eight goals and making two saves for a 1.60 goals against average and a .200 save percentage in 450 minutes in net.

VOLLEYBALL
Sept. 3 / Hampton Inn Invitational / vs IU Indy / Indianapolis, Ind. / The Jungle / 7 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats
Sept. 4 / Hampton Inn Invitational / vs Youngstown State / Indianapolis, Ind. / The Jungle / 1 p.m. ET / Live Stats
Sept. 5 / Indy Invite / vs Butler / Indianapolis, Ind. / Hinkle Fieldhouse / 2 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats

After a successful opening weekend, Ohio volleyball (3-0, 0-0 MAC) returns for its second week of competition. The Bobcats are scheduled to compete in the Hampton Inn Invitational, starting at IU Indy (1-2) on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. ET. Ohio will face Youngstown State (2-1) on Friday, Sept. 4 at 1 p.m. ET. Ohio will conclude its week of competition at Butler (2-1)(Indy Invite) on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 2 p.m. ET.

Ohio is coming off a strong first weekend, as they finished 3-0 at the Marshall Invitational. The Bobcats swept all three opponents – Bucknell, Niagara and Marshall – and did not lose a single set all weekend. Ohio averages 17.00 kills, 15.56 assists, 1.22 aces, 14.00 digs and 2.33 blocks per set. The Bobcats currently have a .395 team hitting percentage.

IU Indy has a 1-2 overall record heading into the week. In their opening weekend, the Jaguars earned a win over UC Irvine. IU Indy averages 11.1 kills, 9.8 assists, 1.1 aces, 10.8 digs and 1.5 blocks per set. The Jaguars currently have a .161 team hitting percentage.

Youngstown State has 2-1 overall record heading into the week. In their opening weekend, the Penguins earned wins over Mercyhurst and Canisius. Youngstown State averages 12.30 kills, 11.70 assists, 2.90 aces, 12.10 digs and 1.70 blocks per set. The Penguins currently have a .250 team hitting percentage.

Butler has a 2-1 overall record heading into the week. In their opening weekend, the Bulldogs earned wins over Western Carolina and Clemson. Butler averages 12.1 kills, 11.2 assists, 0.9 aces, 13.7 digs and 2.9 blocks per game. The Bulldogs currently have a .196 team hitting percentage.

CROSS COUNTRY
Sept. 4 / Mel Brodt Collegiate Open / Bowling Green, Ohio / Bowling Green Cross Country Course / Women's 5k: 10 a.m.; Men's 5k 10:30 a.m. ET / Meet Central / Live results

The Ohio men's and women's cross country teams are set to kick off the 2026 season at the Mel Brodt Collegiate Open, hosted by Bowling Green, on Friday, Sept. 4. The women's 5k race will start at 10 a.m. ET followed by the men's 5k race at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Heading into the season, both Ohio cross country teams were picked in the top five of their MAC Preseason Coaches' Polls. The women were picked second with 101 points and the men were selected fourth with 53 points.

The women's team has several returning standouts including seniors Leila Boussedra (Worthington, Ohio), Allie Martin (Kingwood, W. Va.) and junior Kaitlyn Stewart (Floyd Knobs, Ind.). Returning top performers from the men's team include senior Andrew Bracken (Westerville, Ohio) and junior Michael Dellasanta (Columbus, Ohio). The cross country programs have a combined total of 12 newcomers with eight on the women's side and four on the men's side.

FIELD HOCKEY
Sept. 4 / at Queens / Charlotte, N.C. / Bessant Field / 5 p.m. ET / QUSN / Watch / Live Stats
Sept. 6 / at No. 7 Wake Forest / Winston-Salem, N.C. / Kentner Stadium / 12 p.m. ET / ACCNX / Watch / Live Stats

Field hockey (1-1) is on the road this week starting on Friday, Sept. 4 when Ohio heads to Charlotte, N.C. to take on Queens (1-1). First touch is set for 5 p.m. ET at Bessant Field and can be seen on the Queens Sports Network. Ohio wraps up the week on Sunday, Sept. 6 when the Bobcats head to Winston-Salem, N.C. to take on No. 7 Wake Forest (1-1). First touch is set for Noon ET at Kentner Stadium and can be seen on ACCNX.

Ohio is coming off a 1-1 opening weekend at home where they fell to Michigan State on Friday, before defeating Saint Louis on Sunday afternoon. Junior Molly Schreiner helped lead the Bobcats in goal this past weekend. Schreiner allowed four goals and made 17 saves on 21 shots faced in 120:00 minutes in goal. On the coring front, Deborah James, Tiana Nhamoinesu and Karley DuCoin all recorded goals for the Bobcats, with DuCoin's serving as the game winner late in the fourth quarter for the Bobcats in the 2-1 win.

Queens is coming off a 1-1 opening weekend and a 3-1 win over Longwood on Sunday afternoon. Three different Royals recorded goals, with Delfina Gonzalez Fontan, Liv Rainwater and Grace Wagner scoring, and Olivia Gain registering two assists. In goal, Madison Destefano got the start in both games, allowing 12 goals and making 23 saves.

Seventh-ranked Wake Forest opened the season with a 1-1 weekend, falling to No. 11 Iowa, 4-3, in overtime on Friday, before defeating No. 14 Michigan, 2-0, on Sunday. Mia Montag leads the way with one goal, one assist and three points, while four other Deacons have one goal each. In goal, Caroline Grebe has recorded both starts, allowing four goals and recording eight saves in 96 minutes of work. Ruby Butterfield has seen 30 minutes of action, and has not allowed a goal while making three saves.

WOMEN'S GOLF
Sept. 6-7 / at 2026 A-Ga-Ming Invitational / Kewadin, Mich. / Sundance Golf Course / 9 a.m. ET / Live Results

Ohio Women's Golf opens the 2026 season Sept. 6-7 when they head to the 2026 A-Ga-Ming Invitational. The two-day event is hosted by Central Michigan and is set to take place at the Sundance Golf Course in Kewadin, Mich. The event will see 36 holes played on Sunday starting at 9 a.m. ET, with the final 18 scheduled for Monday at 9 a.m. ET.

Schools competing at this year's event are; Central Michigan, Oakland, Loyola Chicago, Detroit Mercy, Murray State, Western Michigan, Bellarmine, Green bay, Bowling Green, Ohio. Bradley, Chicago State and Indiana State.

The Bobcats return six members from last year's squad, including senior Zoe Luebbers and the 2026 MAC Women's Golf Sportswoman of the Year honoree in senior Morgan Rodgers.

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