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Syracuse football 2024 opponent preview: Ohio Bobcats

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Syracuse football 2024 opponent preview: Ohio Bobcats


The countdown to college football is on once again! With the Syracuse Orange due to kick off the Fran Brown era in three short months, our Get to Know Your Orange Man series is underway to get you familiar with each player on the roster. It’s also time to break down each of SU’s 12 regular season opponents, one at a time.

We’ll start things in Week 1, where the Orange open up in the Dome for the third straight season. The last time they didn’t was against this very program:

Ohio Bobcats

School: Ohio University

Nickname: Bobcats

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Mascot: Rufus

#BRAND Slogan: #OUohyeah

Alternate #BRAND Slogan Suggestion: “The OTHER Ohio from the OTHER, OTHER Athens”

Recommended Blog: Hustle Belt

Conference: MAC

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History vs. Syracuse: The Bobcats are winless in three games against SU. Their last meeting was the 2021 season opener, when some kid named Sean Tucker exploded for 181 rushing yards and a TD in a 29-9 ‘Cuse victory. The other games in the series were both played over 100 years ago – and were both shutouts.

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Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images

Coach: Tim Albin, fourth season. Albin unexpectedly began his DI head coaching career against Syracuse when Frank Solich stepped down from the position due to health reasons. After a rough start with Ohio, Albin rebounded to lead back-to-back 10-win teams, both of which included Bowl victories. Albin’s first head coaching job was at his alma mater of Northwestern Oklahoma State. After three years as the offensive coordinator/OL coach, he was promoted to HC, a job he also held for three seasons. In 1999, Albin’s Rangers went a perfect 13-0, beating Georgetown (sadly, the college in Kentucky, not the Hoyas) to win the NAIA National Championship. He departed for Solich’s Nebraska Cornhuskers after that and, following a brief layover at North Dakota State, also followed him to Ohio in 2005.

2023 Record: 10-3 (6-2)

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Recapping Last Season:

After starting off the season with a one score loss at San Diego State, the Bobcats rattled off five straight wins, including two against MAC foes Bowling Green and Kent State. After a small hiccup where the squad lost two of three, Ohio took care of business in their weeknight games at Buffalo and against Central Michigan. They secured win number nine in the regular season finale in Akron, then traveled to the home of Coastal Carolina, where they defeated Georgia Southern 41-21 in the Myrtle Beach Bowl to again get to double digits.

The 2023 Bobcats were loaded with senior starters, including the man behind center. Kurtis Rourke didn’t repeat his insane performance from the year before (25 touchdowns to four picks) but still threw for 2,207 yards and 11 TDs. Sam Wiglusz and Miles Cross were the one-two punch in the receivers’ room, both racking up over 600 yards through the air. On the ground, Sieh Bangura also fell short of replicating his 2022 stats, going from almost 1,100 rushing yards to just over 800. As a team, they averaged 348 yards-per-game, just a few more than the Orange did.

On the defensive side, turnovers were the name of the game. Ohio’s 4-3 unit had 22 of them, with linebackers Bryce Houston (128 tackles, three picks) and Keye Thompson (94 tackles, one pick, three fumble recoveries) doing the most damage. A loaded secondary featuring the safety trio of Walter Reynolds, Austin Brawley, and Adonis Williams Jr. kept the skies clear. The four starting linemen combined for 20 sacks. This suffocating group was one of the best in the entire country, allowing the 4th-fewest YPG among all FBS teams. It was a balanced effort too, with opponents’ rushing and passing yards both among the bottom-10 – translating to a meager 15 points on average. Honestly, this is the model I dream Elijah Robinson implements in ‘Cuse. Freshman Gianni Spetic went 18/26 on FGs – 0/5 on kicks more than 40 yards.

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NCAA Football: Myrtle Beach Bowl-Georgia Southern at Ohio

David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

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2024 Season Outlook:

MAC teams frontload their out of conference schedule – after facing SU, Ohio heads home to Athens for games with South Alabama and Morgan State, then they travel to Lexington to battle Kentucky. In conference play, home games are against Akron, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, and Ball State. Games with Central Michigan, Miami (OH), Kent State, and Toledo will be on the road.

It’ll be a near-total reset on offense: QB1 & 2, RB1 & 2, WR1, 2, and 3, both tight ends, and three of five starting linemen are all gone. (At least the other two stayed for their final year?) It’s not as hopeless as that may sound, as Albin grabbed a few intriguing transfers including WRs Coleman Owens from Northern Arizona and Eamonn Dennis from Michigan. Parker Navarro should finally get his chance to start as a 5th-year QB, and redshirt freshman Rickey Hunt Jr. is favored for an expanded role after scoring five TDs in just three games last season. There are still battles to be had in fall camp.

Defense isn’t clear-cut either. Houston and Thompson graduated, and the internal options will have some huge cleats to fill. Only one of those ferocious d-linemen is back, with five transfers competing for the other spots. Brawley and Williams retain some consistency, but this side of the ball also seemingly has more questions than answers post-spring.

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Syracuse Game Date: Saturday, August 31

Location: JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, New York

Odds of Orange Victory: 90%

Very Early Outlook vs. Syracuse:

This is a good first test for Coach Fran – a young G5 team who will be searching for their own identity early on. Ohio went extremely underrated as a defensive powerhouse because of their conference, but they lost too many pieces to expect a repeat performance. The offense has a LOT to figure out and Bobcats fans will soon find out if Albin can recruit as well as Solich did. For the short term though, they should be outmatched by a P5 P4.

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SU rocks the Dome crowd before the game even starts as Fran enters on something between a horse-drawn carriage and a Ferrari, and the noise level doesn’t go down much in a dominant Week 1 victory.



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Ohio minimum wage to increase Jan. 1 – Washington Examiner

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Ohio minimum wage to increase Jan. 1 – Washington Examiner


(The Center Square) – Ohioans working for minimum wage will get another Christmas present in a week.

The state’s minimum wage rises by 25 cents on Jan. 1, going to $10.70 an hour to account for inflation. The current Ohio minimum wage for tipped employees is $5.25 per hour and $10.45 for nontipped workers. The minimum wage for youth workers is $7.25 per hour.

“Ohio voters are to thank for next month’s increase in the minimum wage,” Policy Matters Ohio Economist Heather Smith said. “Voters enshrined adjustments for inflation to the minimum wage law in 2006, when they voted overwhelmingly to raise the state minimum wage. Over 28% of Ohio families with incomes below the federal poverty level will get some relief from rising prices as a result.”

The Economic Policy Institute estimates about 112,700 Ohioans paid less than $10.70 will see a direct wage increase Jan. 1, and another 206,000 making just above the minimum will also see an increase when employers adjust pay scales.

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A proposed constitutional amendment that would raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour plus tips by 2026 failed to reach the required number of signatures to reach the ballot earlier this year.

As previously reported by The Center Square, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce opposed the proposed amendment, saying it would hurt small businesses that continue to struggle.

“The proposed minimum wage amendment to the Ohio Constitution is not only ill-advised and economically detrimental, it would be next to impossible to correct once the unintended consequences transpire,” Chamber CEO Steve Stivers said, including the potential for layoffs and reduced jours for workers.



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Ohio Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 Midday winning numbers for Dec. 25, 2024

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The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 25, 2024, results for each game:

Powerball

Powerball drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m.

15-26-27-30-35, Powerball: 03, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

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Pick 3

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 2-9-6

Evening: 3-2-1

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 4

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

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Midday: 1-6-3-5

Evening: 9-5-7-9

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 5

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 0-9-1-4-9

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Evening: 4-7-1-3-8

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Rolling Cash 5

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 7:05 p.m.

09-24-26-32-34

Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

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Classic Lotto

Drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, at approximately 7:05 p.m.

03-05-06-15-33-39, Kicker: 6-8-4-2-1-9

Check Classic Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Lucky For Life

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 10:35 p.m.

04-10-35-42-45, Lucky Ball: 02

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Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

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This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Enquirer digital news director. You can send feedback using this form.



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One Ohio State Star Who Desperately Needs Revenge vs Oregon

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One Ohio State Star Who Desperately Needs Revenge vs Oregon


The Ohio State Buckeyes are preparing to face the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl in what they hope will serve as some desirable revenge.

Remember: Oregon defeated Ohio State back in Week 7, handing the Buckeyes their first loss of the season. The Ducks would go on to go undefeated. Ohio State went 10-2 (now 11-2 thanks to its win over the Tennessee Volunteers).

The first meeting between the two teams was close, with Oregon emerging with a 32-21 victory. For on of the only times this season, the Buckeyes’ defense looked vulnerable.

But there was one player in particular who looked particularly exposed: cornerback Denzel Burke.

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Burke entered the season widely considered one of the best cornerbacks in the country and was also viewed as a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

However, his performance against the Ducks altered his fate.

Burke surrendered eight catches for 179 yards and was burned for a couple of touchdowns in Ohio State’s loss, and since then, the 22-year-old has not quite looked the same.

His draft stock has plummeted, and his confidence also appears to have been adversely affected.

And it all started in Eugene, Or. back in October.

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Can Burke right the ship and come through with a bounceback showing against the top-ranked eam in the country?

The Buckeyes will need Burke. That’s for sure. After all, Oregon boasts one of the most explosive offenses in the country, and that’s due much in part to the Ducks’ high-octane aerial attack led by quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

Not only that, but Burke needs it for himself. A strong outing versus the Ducks would go a long way in gaining the attention of NFL scouts once again, and it could serve as a springboard for Burke the remainder of the College Football Playoff.

Burke has lost a bit of his shine since that disastrous performance at Oregon. If there is any Ohio State player who desperately needs revenge on New Year’s Day, it’s Burke.



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