PAW PRINTS: The Week Ahead on Ohio Athletics

Monday, September 14

Sylvania, Ohio

2026 Rocket Classic

PAW PRINTS: The Week Ahead on Ohio Athletics

9/14/2026 11:35:00 AM | Field Hockey, Football, General, Men's Golf, Softball, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Volleyball

ATHENS, Ohio – Ohio Volleyball finally comes home to Athens for the 2026 Bobcat Invitational Presented by AthensOhio.com, while soccer kicks off MAC play at home! Check out everything that's ahead for Ohio Athletics in this week's Paw Prints.

FOOTBALL
Sept. 19 / at South Alabama / Mobile, Ala. / Hancock Whitney Stadium / 7 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Listen / Ohio Notes / South Alabama Notes / Digital Guide

The Ohio football team (1-1) is back in action as they hit the road to take on South Alabama on Saturday, Sept. 19. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET in Mobile, Ala. 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 second time the two teams have clashed. The Bobcats defeated the Jaguars 27-20 in 2024 to pick up their first win of the season before going on to win the MAC Championship and the StaffDNA Cure Bowl.

Ohio is coming off a thrilling 29-27 four-overtime victory against Jacksonville State for the first win of the season. Junior quarterback Matt Vezza finished with 80 passing yards and one touchdown, while rushing for 67 yards. Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Riley Neer added 38 receiving yards with one touchdown, while junior running back Duncan Brune rushed for 66 yards. Redshirt sophomore safety Darren James-Hamilton returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, while freshman Levi Davis scored the game-winning two-point try in overtime. Defensively, the linebacker duo of redshirt seniors Michael Molnar and Jack Fries combined for 24 tackles, recording 13 and 11 total stops on the day. Redshirt junior safety DJ Walker, redshirt sophomore safety JT Haskins and redshirt sophomore defensive end Ike Ackerman each added nine total tackles.

South Alabama is 1-1 this season after defeating Southeastern Louisiana 39-14 to start the season, before falling to Tulane, 28-24, Saturday in New Orleans. The Jaguars' rushing attack has recorded over 400 yards on the season with four touchdowns on the ground. In the loss at Tulane, fifth year Bishop Davenport went 22-for-32 for 296 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 50 yards on the ground.

VOLLEYBALL
Sept. 18 / Ohio Bobcat Invitational Presented by AthensOhio.com / vs. Morgan State / Athens, Ohio / Convocation Center / 10 a.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Digital Guide / Tickets / Schedule Poster Giveaway
Sept. 18 / Ohio Bobcat Invitational Presented by AthensOhio.com / Mercyhurst vs. UNC Asheville / Athens, Ohio / Convocation Center / 12:30 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats
Sept. 18 / Ohio Bobcat Invitational Presented by AthensOhio.com / Mercyhurst vs. Morgan State / Athens, Ohio / Convocation Center / 4:30 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats
Sept. 18 / Ohio Bobcat Invitational Presented by AthensOhio.com / vs. UNC Asheville / Athens, Ohio / Convocation Center / 4:30 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Digital Guide / Tickets / Green TShirt Giveaway
Sept. 19 / Ohio Bobcat Invitational Presented by AthensOhio.com / UNC Asheville vs. Morgan State / Athens, Ohio / Convocation Center / 11 a.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats
Sept. 19 / Ohio Bobcat Invitational Presented by AthensOhio.com / vs. Mercyhurst / Athens, Ohio / Convocation Center / 2 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Digital Guide / Tickets / Kids Day

Ohio volleyball (4-4) is set to host the Bobcat Invitational presented by AthensOhio.com on Sept 18-19 in the Convocation Center. On Friday, Sept. 18, the Bobcats will play a doubleheader starting with Morgan State (1-8) at 10 a.m. ET. 2026 Ohio volleyball schedule posters will be available to fans at the Morgan State game. Ohio will wrap up day one of the Bobcat Invite with a matchup against UNC Asheville (9-2) at 7 p.m. ET. The first 150 fans at the UNC Asheville game will receive a Green T-Shirt. On Saturday, Sept. 19, the Bobcats will conclude competition with their Kids' Day game against Mercyhurst (3-6) at 2 p.m. ET.

Ohio has a 4-4 overall record heading into its home opener. The Bobcats average 13.64 kills, 12.76 assists, 1.44 aces, 12.24 digs and 1.68 blocks per set. Ohio currently has a .255 team hitting percentage.

Morgan State has a 1-8 overall record heading into the weekend. The Bears average 9.9 kills, 8.6 assists, 1.4 aces, 11.2 digs and 2.1 blocks per set. Morgan State currently has a .136 team hitting percentage.

UNC Asheville has a 9-2 overall record heading into the weekend. The Bulldogs average 12.11 kills, 10.84 assists, 3.08 aces, 12.34 digs and 2.03 blocks per set. UNC Asheville currently has a .205 team hitting percentage.

Mercyhurst has a 3-6 overall record heading into the weekend. The Lakers average 11.4 kills, 10.1 assists, 1.7 aces, 11.8 digs and 1.5 blocks per set. Mercyhurst currently has a .210 team hitting percentage.

SOCCER
Sept. 17 / vs Western Michigan / Athens, Ohio / Chessa Field / 4 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Digital Guide / Mental Health Awareness
Sept. 20 / vs UMass / Athens, Ohio / Chessa Field / 12 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Digital Guide / Alumni Game, Turn It Gold: OU Magnets to the First 50 Fans.

This week, Ohio soccer (3-3-0, 0-0-0 MAC) opens MAC play with two matches at Chessa Field. The week begins on Thursday, Sept. 17 when Ohio hosts defending MAC Champion Western Michigan (2-2-3, 0-0-0 MAC). First touch is set for 4 p.m. ET at Chessa Field and can be seen on ESPN+. Ohio is back in action on Sunday, Sept. 20 when Ohio hosts UMass (6-1-0, 0-0-0 MAC). First touch is set for Noon ET and can also be seen on ESPN+. It's Turn It Gold at Chessa on Sunday and the first 50 fans will receive an OU magnet.

Ohio is coming off a 1-0 week that saw Ohio close nonconference play with a 201 road win at Duquesne on Sunday. Junior Sania Dearing helped lead the Bobcats two shots with one on goal and the would-be game-winning goal against the Dukes. Dearing put the Bobcats ahead 2-0 in the 51st minute of the Bobcats road game. The goal would in the end prove to be the decisive goal, helped secure Ohio's 2-1 win.

Western Michigan is 2-2-3 overall and is coming off a 3-1 loss at Xavier on Sunday. Tessa Fagerson leads WMU with two goals and one assist for five points, while in goal, Kate Sheridan has made the last two starts for the Broncos, while allowing three goals and making seven saves for a .700 save percentage.

UMass is currently 6-1-0 overall and is coming off wins against Yale and Northeastern last week. Monica Curry leads UMass with six goals, two assists and 14 points, while in goal, Leah Nisenfeld has played and started all seven matches. She has allowed eight goals and made 31 saves for a .795 save percentage. UMass will open MAC play at Ball State on Thursday before heading to Athens.

WOMEN'S GOLF
Sept. 14-15 / at 2026 Rocket Classic / Sylvania, Ohio / Highland Meadows Golf Club / All Day / Live Results
Sept. 20-21 / at 2026 Mary Fossum Invitational / East Lansing, Mich. / Forest Akers West Golf Club / All Day / Live Results

Ohio Women's Golf is back in action for two tournaments this week starting Sept. 14-15 when they head to Sylvania, Ohio for the 2026 Rocket Classic hosted by Toledo at the Highland Meadows Golf Club. The two-day event beings on Monday, Sept. 13 with 36 holes, before concluding on Tuesday, Sept. 15 with 18 holes. Ohio is then back in action Sept. 20-21 when they head to East Lansing, Michigan. for the 2026 Mary Fossum Invitational. The two-day event is hosted by Michigan State at the Forest Akers West Golf Club. The tournament begins on Sunday, Sept. 20 with 36 holes, before wrapping up on Monday with 18 holes.

The Bobcats are looking to capture their third-straight Rocket Classic Championship after winning the event in 2024 and 2025.

Competing at this year's Rocket Classic are Central Michigan, Oakland, Akron, Marshall, Ohio State, Toledo, Chattanooga and Ohio.

On the course for the Bobcats for the event are seniors Zoe Luebbers and Morgan Rodgers, juniors Ally Turner and Saylor Wharff, sophomores Paige Treherne and Katie Husted and freshman Charlotte Soller.

Teams competing at the 2026 Mary Fossum Invitational are Central Michigan, Oakland, Kent State, Rutgers, Michigan State, Youngstown State, Delaware, FIU, Western Michigan, Kennesaw State, Northern Illinois, Illinois State, Bowling Green, Ohio and Grand Valley State.

Ohio is coming off their season opener Sept. 6-7 at the 2026 A-Ga-Ming Invitational where the Bobcats placed ninth overall. Luebbers led the Bobcats at the invitational, recording a round one score of 76 (+4) and a round two score of 71 (-1), and finished the day in fifth place. On Monday Luebbers recorded a score of 73 (+1), completing the invitational shooting a score of 220 (+4) and tied for 11th.

MEN'S GOLF
Sept. 14-15 / at 2026 RedHawk Intercollegiate / Pittsburgh, Pa. / Pittsburgh FC / All Day / Live Results

Ohio men's golf is set to open the 2026 season Sept. 14-15 at the 2026 RedHawk Intercollegiate in Pittsburgh, Pa. The two-day event is hosted by Miami at Pittsburgh FC. The tournament begins on Monday, Sept. 14 with 36 holes, before wrapping up on Tuesday with 18.

Competing at this year's event are; Richmond, VCU, Dayton, Ball State, LSU, Oakland, Miami, Loyola Maryland, Cleveland State, Seton Hall, Ohio, Robert Morris, Bowling Green, Butler and Notre Dame.

On the course for the Bobcats this week are sophomore Gabriel Mainella, junior Mikey Schutte, sophomore Rylan Hall and freshmen Cole Jones, Will Mangas and Jack Marsh.

Ohio returns two from last year's roster in Jack Flores and Hall, while welcoming six newcomers. Ohio will see three freshmen make their debuts for the Bobcats this fall in Jones, Mangas and Marsh, while Ohio's three transfers Mainella, Schutte and Baum look to make an immediate impact for Ohio's lineup.

FIELD HOCKEY
Sept. 18 / at #14 UMass / Amherst, Mass. / Gladchuk Field Hockey Complex / 11 a.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats

Field hockey (2-3, 0-0 MAC) opens MAC play this Friday, Sept. 18 when the Bobcats head to Amherst, Mass. to take on No. 14 UMass (6-0, 0-0 MAC). First touch is set for 11 a.m. ET at Gladchuk Field Hockey Complex and can be seen on ESPN+.

Ohio is coming off an 0-1 week that saw the Bobcats battle Davidson on Sunday, falling 2-1 to the Wildcats. Sophomore Ava Florence scored the Bobcats lone goal in the 59th minute with an assist from Deborah James. In goal, junior Molly Schreiner got the start and allowed two goals, while notching six saves in over 58 minutes of work.

No. 14 UMass is 6-0 this season and is coming off wins over New Hampshire and No. 3 Harvard this past week. Amber Fairon leads UMass with seven goals, one assist and 15 points. In goal, Rozárie Mrázová has started all six matches, allowing five goals and making 12 saves for a .706 save percentage.

SOFTBALL
Sept. 19 / vs Tiffin / Athens, Ohio / Ohio Softball Field / 1&3 p.m. ET
Sept. 20 / vs Ohio Dominican / Athens, Ohio / Ohio Softball Field / 1 p.m. ET

The Ohio softball team opens its fall slate this weekend. The weekend beings on Saturday, Sept. 19 when the Bobcats face off with Tiffin in a doubleheader set to begin at 1 p.m. ET at the Ohio Softball Field. The Bobcats are back in action on Sunday, Sept. 20 when Ohio Dominican comes to town. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. ET at the OSF. Admission is free.

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