2026 Badger Invitational
PAW PRINTS: The Week Ahead on Ohio Athletics
9/28/2026 12:16:00 PM | Baseball, Field Hockey, Football, General, Men's Golf, Softball, Women's Soccer, Women's Swimming and Diving, Women's Volleyball
FOOTBALL
Oct. 3 / at Kent State / Kent, Ohio / Dix Stadium / 3:30 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Listen / Ohio Notes / Kent State Notes / Digital Guide
The Ohio football team (2-2, 0-0 MAC) is set to open conference play against Mid-American Conference foe Kent State (2-2, 1-0 MAC) on Saturday, Oct. 3. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET at Dix Stadium and can be seen on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi and Ryan Cavanaigh 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 77th time the two teams have clashed, with Ohio seeking its 48th career win over Kent State, which would be its third straight win over the Golden Flashes. The last time Ohio faced Kent State, the Bobcats came out victorious, winning 41-0.
Ohio is coming off a dominant 35-7 home victory over Stonehill on Saturday, for the 15th straight win on Frank Solich Field, the second-highest home win streak in the nation. The Bobcat rushing attack was on full display, rushing for 301 yards on the ground and holding the Skyhawks to -1 yard. Junior quarterback Matt Vezza had a career day, going 14-for-20 with 207 yards and one touchdown in the air, while adding two touchdowns on 39 yards rushing. Redshirt freshman Irving Brown nearly broke the 100-yard mark, rushing for 97 yards, averaging 12.1 yards per carry. Graduate student running back Victor Rosa rushed for 87 yards and two touchdowns. Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Riley Neer had the most receiving yards of his career, recording 113 yards on just five catches, while redshirt sophomore wide receiver Dom Dorwart caught a 42-yard touchdown pass for his second score of the season. Defensively, four Bobcats led the team with four tackled a piece. Redshirt junior cornerback Kendall Bannister led the way with four solo stops and a pass breakup, while redshirt freshman linebacker Jermaine Minnis had one solo tackle and added a tackle for loss. Redshirt senior linebacker Michael Molnar and redshirt junior defensive tackle each tallied one solo tackle and three assisted tackles.
Kent State is 2-2 through four games after picking up its first conference victory in a 26-13 win over Ball State. Quarterback Dre DeShields finished with 189 yards and two touchdowns on 16 completions and led the Golden Flashes in the rushing attack with 76 rushing yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Da'Realyst Clark led the team with 73 receiving yards and a touchdown on six completions, while running back Brandon White added a touchdown catch and 26 yards on the ground. Defensive back Joel Cordoba tallied six tackles, four solo stops, one sack, and one forced fumble in the win, while defensive backs Derrick Jackson III and Angelo Stockstill each finished with four tackles.
MEN'S GOLF
Sept. 27-29 / at 2026 Badger Invitational / Madison, Wis. / University Ridge Golf Course / All Day / Live Results
Ohio men's golf is back in action Sept. 27-29 when they head to Madison, Wisconsin. for the 2026 Badger Invitational. The three-day event is hosted by Wisconsin at the University Ridge Golf Course. The 2026 Badger Invitational will see three days of competition with 18 holes played each day starting on Sunday.
Competing at this year's event are; Illinois State, Western Kentucky, Western Carolina, North Dakota, Drake, Southern Mississippi, Valpo, Wisconsin, Oakland, North Dakota State, South Dakota State, App State, Green Bay, Ohio, Northern Illinois, South Dakota, St. Thoma, Omaha and Southern Illinois.
Ohio opened the season at the RedHawk Intercollegiate Sept. 14-15, finishing in a tie for 13th place. Sophomore Rylan Hall led the way for Ohio throughout the tournament, shooting five over par for the week that included a second round 68, which was tied for ninth among all golfers in the second round. That 68 featured an eagle, one of 21 combined eagles across all teams during the week.
SOCCER
Oct. 1 / vs Central Michigan / Athens, Ohio / Chessa Field / 4 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Digital Guide / Breast Cancer Awareness: Free Pink Tshirts
Oct. 4 / at Buffalo / Buffalo, N.Y. / UB Stadium / 1 p.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats
This week, Ohio soccer (3-6-0, 0-3-0 MAC) In back in Athens on Thursday, Oct. 1 when Ohio hosts Central Michigan (2-7-1, 0-3-0). First touch is set for 4 p.m. ET at Chessa Field and can be seen on ESPN+. Thursday is Ohio's annual Breast Cancer Awareness game and fans will receive a free pink shirt. Ohio then heads to Buffalo N.Y. on Sunday, Oct. 4 to take on Buffalo (4-3-3, 1-1-1 MAC). First touch is set for 1 p.m. ET at UB Stadium and can be seen on ESPN+.
Ohio is coming off an 0-1 week where the Bobcats fell to Akron, 1-0, on the road.
Central Michigan is currently 2-7-1 overall, 0-3-0 in MAC play and are coming off a loss at Bowling Green on Saturday. Ella Betzold leads the way with three goals, one assist and seven points, while Maomi Phillips has two goals, two assists and six points. In goal, Jadia Kershaw has made all 10 starts in goal for CMU, allowing 21 goals and making 46 saves for a .687 save percentage.
Buffalo is currently 4-3-3 overall and 1-1-1 in MAC play and is coming off a loss to Eastern Michigan at home on Sunday. The Bulls will take on Miami on the road before hosting Ohio. Eva Blatz leads UB with two goals, one assist and five points, while Maw Hunt adds one goal, two assists and four points for Buffalo. In goal, Lexie Thompson has started all 10 games, allowing 10 goals and making 38 saves for a .792 save percentage.
FIELD HOCKEY
Oct. 2 / vs Central Michigan/ Athens, Ohio / Pruitt Field / 3 a.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Digital Guide / Turn It Gold
Oct. 4 / vs Mercyhurst / Athens, Ohio / Pruitt Field / 2 a.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Digital Guide / Senior Day: Post Game Autographs
Field hockey (4-4, 2-1 MAC) is back in action for two home games this weekend beginning on Friday, Oct. 2 when the Bobcats host Central Michigan (3-8, 1-2 MAC) for a MAC matchup. First touch is set for 3 p.m. ET at Pruitt Field and can be seen on ESPN+. Ohio then returns to Pruitt on Sunday, Oct. 4 when they host Mercyhurst (1-6). First touch is set for 2 p.m. ET and can be seen on ESPN+. Sunday is Senior Day for the Bobcats, so arrive early for honor this year's four seniors. The team will also be available for post game autographs.
Ohio is coming off a 2-0 weekend that saw the Bobcats record two come-from-behind victories, defeating App State for the first time since 2019 and scoring three unanswered at Bellarmine. Junior Mia Scheulen scored two goals on Sunday, including the game winner, while junior Deborah James recorded four assists for the Bobcats. In goal, junior Molly Schreiner played all 120 minutes, allowing three goals and making five saves.
Central Michigan comes to Ohio with a 3-8 record and a 1-2 mark in MAC play after defeating Ball State on Friday before falling to No. 4 UMass on Sunday. Mora Rulli leads the way with five goals, three assists and 15 points, while Carolena Ryon has four goals, two assists and 10 points for CMU. In goal, Jenna Billig has started every game, allowing 23 goals and making 54 saves for a .701 save percentage.
Mercyhurst is 1-6 overall and is coming off a loss at Merrimack on Friday. Mercyhurst will face off with Stonehill and LIU before heading to Athens. Finja Wunner leads the way with two goals, two assists and six points, while Ava Jones adds two goals and four points. In goal, Victoria Campana has started six matches in goal, allowing 22 goals and making 38 saves for a .633 save percentage.
Oct. 2 / vs. Akron / Athens, Ohio / Convocation Center / 6 a.m. ET / YouTube / Watch / Live Stats / Digital Guide / Tickets / White Out: First 150 Fans Get Free Rufus TShirt
Oct. 3 / vs. Akron / Athens, Ohio / Convocation Center / 4 a.m. ET / ESPN+ / Watch / Live Stats / Digital Guide / Tickets / Turn It Gold
Ohio volleyball (9-4, 2-0 MAC) returns home to host a two-game series against Akron (6-8, 1-1 MAC) in the Convocation Center. Competition will kick off with Ohio's WHITE OUT game on Friday, Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. ET. The first 150 fans will receive a White Rufus T-Shirt. The Bobcats will conclude the series against the Zips on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. ET.
Ohio has a 9-4 overall and 2-0 conference record heading into the weekend. The Bobcats average 14.02 kills, 12.88 assists, 1.65 aces, 12.86 digs and 1.70 blocks per set. Ohio currently has a .261 team hitting percentage.
Akron has a 6-8 overall and 1-1 conference record heading into the weekend. The Zips average 12.57 kills, 11.65 assists, 1.56 aces, 12.89 digs and 1.85 blocks per set. Akron currently has a .217 team hitting percentage.
SWIM AND DIVE
Oct. 2-3 / at Miami / Coral Gables, Fla. / Whitten Center Pool/ Friday: 3 p.m. ET; Saturday 10 a.m.
The Ohio swim and dive program opens the 2026-27 season this weekend when they head to Coral Gables, Fla. Oct. 2-3 to face off with Miami and North Florida in a tri-meet. Friday's events are set to begin at 3 p.m. ET, with Saturday schedules to begin at 10 a.m. ET.
Ohio is coming off a second-place finish at the 2026 MAC Championships last March and sending two Bobcats in Zita Szoke and Casadie DiBetta to NCAA Championships.
The Bobcats return five seniors from last year's team including Szoke, along with Isabella Arbaugh, Katie Buroker, Astrid Pichardo and Melanie Schweikert. The Bobcats also added seven freshmen to the roster for this season.
After their trip to Miami, the Bobcats will return to Athens for their annual Green and White Scrimmage on Saturday, October. 10 before opening the home slate October. 15-16 against Illinois State.
SOFTBALL
Oct. 2 / at Ohio State (10 Innings) / Columbus, Ohio / Buckeye Field / 6:30 p.m. ET
Oct. 4 / at Marshall / Huntington, W. Va. / Dot Hicks Field / 1 & 3 p.m. ET
Ohio softball continues its fall slate this weekend for two days of action. The weekend begins on Friday, Oct. 2 when they head to Columbus, Ohio to take on Ohio State for a 10-inning game. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. ET at Buckeye Field. Ohio then heads to Huntington, W. Va. on Sunday, October. 4 to take on Marshall for a doubleheader slated to begin at 1 p.m. ET at Dot Hicks Field.
BASEBALL
Oct. 2 / at Marshall / Huntington, W. Va. / Jack Cook Field / 5 p.m. ET
Ohio baseball continues fall competition this week. The Bobcats will travel to Marshall for a matchup on Friday, Oct. 2 at 5 p.m. ET.
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