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Ohio Football Set to Host Jax State in Home Opener
9/8/2026 3:19:00 PM | Football
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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio football team returns to Athens for the first time this season when it hosts the Jax State Gamecocks on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET and can be seen on ESPN+ with Joe Tordy and LaDarrin McLane 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.
SERIES HISTORY VS. JAX STATE
This matchup marks the second time the two teams have clashed. The Bobcats defeated the Gamecocks at the 2024 Ohio, clinching its first 11-win season in program history with a 30-27 victory at Camping World Stadium.
SCOUTING JAX STATE
The Gamecocks fell to North Dakota State in their season opener, 33-7, before getting their first win of the season, defeating Eastern Kentucky, 49-7, in their home opener. Jax State was limited to just 170 total yards against the Bison, including 85 rushing yards and 85 passing yards, but responded by piling up 526 yards of offense against EKU one week later. Senior quarterback Caden Creel bounced back from the season-opening loss with a career night against Eastern Kentucky, completing 21-of-28 passes or 327 yards and five touchdowns. His top target was wide receiver Jamill Williams, who became just the second player in school history to record four touchdown receptions in a game. Williams finished with 144 receiving yards. The Gamecocks struck quickly against EKU, scoring on their first four possessions and building a 35-7 halftime advantage. Running back Jalen Likely added a 45-yard rushing touchdown, while the offense produced six total touchdowns.
Defensively, Jax State has forced a turnover in 19 consecutive games, the longest active streak among FBS programs. Safety Ty Sims recorded an interception against Eastern Kentucky, while safety Caleb Nix returned an interception 43 yards for a touchdown. The Gamecocks held EKU to 285 total yards and own a defense that has produced takeaways in every game dating back to November 2024.
Special teams have also been a strength through two games. Punter Conor Donaghy averaged 46.4 yards per punt in the opener against North Dakota State and earned CUSA Special Teams Player of the Week honors before punting just once in the Eastern Kentucky game, a 52-yard kick.
THE LAST TIME OUT
The Ohio football team opened its 2026 season on the road at Nebraska, battling the Cornhuskers through the first half before falling, 49-21. The Bobcats led 13-7 early in the second quarter and trailed by just one point at halftime before Nebraska pulled away in the second half.
Graduate student quarterback Nick Poulos finished 14-of-31 passing for 164 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for a score. His favorite target was redshirt sophomore wide receiver Riley Neer, who hauled in six receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown, including a 68-yard gain on Ohio's first offensive play of the season. Kicker Will Hryszko connected on field goals of 42 and a career-long 45 yards.
Ohio struck first, marching down the field on its opening possession after Poulos connected with Neer on a 68yard pass. The duo teamed up again a few plays later for the Bobcats' first touchdown of the season and an early 7-0 lead. Ohio added two Hryszko field goals and entered halftime trailing just 14-13.
The Bobcat defense was led by JT Haskins and Jack Fries, who recorded eight tackles apiece. Redshirt freshman defensive end Ike Ackerman finished with four tackles and two sacks, helping Ohio pressure Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea throughout the afternoon. Defensive end Tyler Gillison also played a key role in a fourth-down stop late in the first half.
Ohio remained within striking distance in the second half. After Nebraska built a 28-13 lead, the Bobcats answered with a 70-yard touchdown drive capped by a oneyard Poulos rushing touchdown. Ohio successfully converted the ensuing two-point attempt on a reception by Dorwart to trim the deficit to 28-21 midway through the third quarter.
Nebraska's rushing attack eventually wore down the Bobcats, however, as the Cornhuskers scored three unanswered touchdowns and finished with a 49-21 victory.
SCOUTING OHIO
Graduate student Nick Poulos is currently 14-for-31 on 164 yards in the air. He threw one touchdown pass against Nebraska (Sept. 5) and for a successful two-point conversion. On the ground, Poulos leads all Bobcats with 70 yards rushing, averaging seven yards a carry.
Redshirt sophomore Riley Neer leads the team 104 receiving yards through one game. Neer's breakout game against Nebraska started from play one, catching a 68-yard pass to get Ohio in the redzone. Neer capped off his strong performance with one receiving touchdown. Redshirt sophomore Dom Dorwart has made two snags for 29 yards, including a successful two-point conversion at Nebraska to get the Bobcats within a touchdown. Redshirt sophomore tight end AJ Miller redshirt senior Eian Pugh each have two receptions on the season, combining for 26 yards. The running back combo of junior Duncan Brune and graduate student Victor Rosa will look to have a strong performance against Jax State (Sept. 12)Â after combining for 14 carries and 40 yards on the ground.
The Bobcats' defense has been led by redshirt sophomore JT Haskins and redshirt senior captain Jack Fries. Haskins and Fries are tied for a team-high eight tackles, with Haskins recording a team-high six solo stops. Haskins got in the backfield, making one tackle for loss and Fries helped in the pass coverage with a breakup. Sophomore Charlie Christopher made seven stops in game one against Nebraska, while redshirt freshman Ike Ackerman lived in the backfield, making two sacks, in his return to his home state.
Redshirt sophomore Darren James-Hamilton made a strong first impression his first time on the field as a Bobcat, contributing on defense and special teams. James-Hamilton recorded three solo tackles, four total on the defensive side of the ball, while returning one kick for 23 yards.
Graduate student transfer Will Hryszko set new career highs his first time in the green and white, making a career-long 42-yard field goal before breaking his high once again with a 45-yarder in the second quarter to get the Bobcats within one point at heading into halftime.
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