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Syracuse football 2024 opponent preview: Ohio Bobcats

Published

2 years ago

June 4, 2024

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

Mascot: Rufus

#BRAND Slogan: #OUohyeah

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

Recommended Blog: Hustle Belt

Conference: MAC

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.

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)

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.

NCAA Football: Myrtle Beach Bowl-Georgia Southern at Ohio

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.

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.

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 State men’s basketball fights back in 89-88 double OT win over West Virginia

Published

6 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Ohio State men’s basketball fights back in 89-88 double OT win over West Virginia

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ohio State’s game-winning play over West Virginia in the second overtime period Saturday night was simple: give the ball to Bruce Thornton and get out of his way.

The result was an 89-88 double overtime win in the Cleveland Hoops Showdown at Rocket Arena.

It took so much to get to this moment.

The Buckeyes did all they could in regulation to overcome a 14-point deficit, while awaiting their top player in Thornton to come through.

His teammates did the dirty work to keep them in the game. From their defense creating transition points, matching the Mountaineers’ physical brand of ball.

Once extra time came after the first 40 minutes expired, Thornton took care of the rest in the two overtime periods.

He delivered bucket after another.

None more important than the final one.

A tightly covered Thornton took it down to the top of the key before finding a mismatch and looking to take it to the hole. A defender cut off his path, however, forcing Thornton to operate elsewhere in the paint.

Thornton used his pivot foot wisely before finding an opening for a fadeaway jumper and knocking it down.

Twelve of his 21 points came in the overtime periods.

Ohio State fought to the end and earned a win over a hard-nosed Big 12 opponent.

Center Christoph Tilly did his best to limit the Mountaineers’ big men, while adding 14 points and 11 boards of his own.

Freshman big man Amare Bynum was a pivotal spark off the bench with 17 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.

Point guard John Mobley Jr. finished with 17 points and delivered the 3-point shot in the final seconds of the second half to give them their first lead since the 9:00 mark of the first half.

This story will be updated.

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Is Ohio State football playing today? What’s next for Buckeyes in playoff schedule | Sporting News

Published

18 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Is Ohio State football playing today? What’s next for Buckeyes in playoff schedule | Sporting News

It’s a college football Saturday, but Dec. 13 is just a little bit different.

Ohio State and all its other College Football Playoff competitors will be on the couch.

The Army-Navy game highlights the day.

There’s also the first bowl game, the LA Bowl between Boise State and Washington.

And the FCS Playoffs roll on, as well.

Is Ohio State playing today?

No, Ohio State isn’t playing on Saturday, Dec. 13.

The CFP isn’t underway, and the Buckeyes have a bye in that even when it gets started.

When is Ohio State’s next game?

Ohio State won’t play again until Dec. 31.

That’ll be the Cotton Bowl.

They don’t know their opponent yet, either. It’ll depend on the CFP opening round matchup between Miami and Texas A&M.

MORE: Donovan Mitchell ties Jayson Tatum on an NBA record list

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No. 2 Ohio State Wins Top 10 Battle over No. 9 Wolfpack, 26-10 | Ohio State

Published

1 day ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

No. 2 Ohio State Wins Top 10 Battle over No. 9 Wolfpack, 26-10 | Ohio State

COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 2 Ohio State (8-0) remained undefeated with a 26-10 win over visiting No. 9 NC State (5-3) Friday at the Covelli Center.

How it Happened

125 – (1) Vincent Robinson (NCST) def. Brendan McCrone (OSU), MD, 12-3

Robinson opened the scoring with a takedown followed by a McCrone escape to send the bout to the second with NC State up 3-1. McCrone chose top to open the second after Robinson deferred choice. Robinson got the reversal to lead 5-2 after a McCrone escape. Robinson added a takedown to lead 8-2 after five minutes. Starting neutral, Robinson made it 11-2 with a takedown. McCrone escaped but with a point for riding time, Robinson won by major decision, 12-3.

133 – (2) Ben Davino (OSU) def. Zach Redding (NCST), D, 7-1

After two minutes, Davino scored the opening takedown for a 3-0 lead to go to the second. Davino chose bottom to start the second and quickly escaped for a 4-0 lead. Davino added a late takedown to lead 7-0 after two periods. Redding escaped to start the third to make it 7-1 Buckeyes. That’s the way if ended for a Davino win by decision, 7-1.

141 – (1) Jesse Mendez (OSU) def. (6) Ryan Jack (NCST), TF, 21-6

Mendez went on top 3-1 with a takedown and Jack escape. Mendez added another takedown on the edge of the mat to finish the period up 6-1. Mendez added three takedowns quickly to jump to a 15-4 advantage. Another pair of takedowns ended the match for a Mendez win by technical fall, 21-6.

149 – (6) Ethan Stiles (OSU) def. (7) Koy Buesgens (NCST), D, 4-3

There was no scoring in the opening the period. Stiles chose bottom to open the second and took the 1-0 lead with an escape for the only points of the middle period. Buesgens evened the bout at 1-all with an escape to open the third. Stiles was awarded a takedown that was challenged by NC State but upheld after video review for a 4-1 lead for the Buckeyes. Buesgens scored a late reversal but Stiles held on for a 4-3 win by decision.

157 – (4) Brandon Cannon (OSU) def. (11) Jackson Arrington (NCST), MD, 9-1

Cannon struck first with a late takedown for a 3-0 lead. Cannon chose bottom to start the second after Arrington deferred. Cannon scored a reversal for a 5-0 advantage after five minutes. The third period started neutral before a Cannon takedown made it 8-0. Arrington earned an escape but with a point for riding time, Cannon got the win by major decision, 9-1.

165 – (19) Will Denny (NCST) def. (11) Paddy Gallagher (OSU), SV-1, 6-5

Denny got on the board first with a takedown at the edge of the mat. Gallagher escaped to make it 3-1 Wolfpack at the end of the opening period. Gallagher closed the gap with an escape early in the second before taking the lead with a takedown to make it 5-4 after a Denny escape. The third started with Denny choosing bottom. He tied it at 5-all with an escape. The match then went to sudden victory. Denny got the win by decision, 6-5 when Gallagher was called for stalling.

174 – (5) Carson Kharchla (OSU) def. (3) Matthew Singleton (NCST), D, 8-4

Neither wrestler scored in the opening three minutes. Kharchla got the reversal for the first points of the match. Singleton then escaped to make it 2-1 Buckeyes. Kharchla scored a takedown to make it 5-2 after a Singleton escape. Singleton chose bottom to start the third and escaped to cut it to 5-3. Kharchla quickly added a takedown for an 8-4 advantage and a win by decision.

At 174, No. 5 Carson Kharchla (Ohio State) earns an 8–4 decision over No. 3 Matthew Singleton (North Carolina State). pic.twitter.com/Zz1SBQeaIT

— Saturday Night Lights (@WrestlingSNL) December 13, 2025

184 – (6) Dylan Fishback (OSU) def. Don Cates (NCST), MD, 12-1

Fishback opened the scoring with a takedown at the edge of the circle. Cates escaped before another Fishback takedown made it 6-1 before the end of the first. Fishback upped the lead with an early escape before adding another takedown for a 10-1 lead. Fishback finished off the match to win by major decision, 12-1.

197 – (14) Luke Geog (OSU) def. Cason Howle (NCST), MD, 17-4

Just a minute into the bout Geog scored the opening points with a takedown. Howle escaped before Geog added a takedown and a four-point nearfall to lead 10-1 after three minutes. Howle added an escape point to open the second. Geog, leading 10-2, escaped to open the third before adding a takedown for a 14-3 advantage. Another takedown got the win by major decision, 17-4.

HWT – (2) Isaac Trumble (NCST) def. (3) Nick Feldman (OSU), D, 5-1

Trumble jumped to a 3-0 lead with a takedown and built nearly 90 seconds of riding time before a Feldman escape make it 3-1. Trumble escaped to open the second to take a 4-1 lead into the third. Trumble finished off the match with a 5-1 win by decision with a point for riding time.

Up Next:

Ohio State will travel to Nashville Dec. 21 for the 2025 Collegiate Duals where they will take on Little Rock and No. 3 Iowa State.

Wt.	No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 9 NC State	OSU	NCST
125	(1) Vincent Robinson (NCST) def. Brendan McCrone (OSU), MD, 12-3	0	4
133	(2) Ben Davino (OSU) def. Zach Redding (NCST), D, 7-1	3	4
141	(1) Jesse Mendez (OSU) def. (6) Ryan Jack (NCST), TF, 21-6	8	4
149	(6) Ethan Stiles (OSU) def. (7) Koy Buesgens (NCST), D, 4-3	11	4
157	(4) Brandon Cannon (OSU) def. (11) Jackson Arrington (NCST), MD, 9-1	15	4
165	(19) Will Denny (NCST) def. (11) Paddy Gallagher (OSU), SV-1, 6-5	15	7
174	(5) Carson Kharchla (OSU) def. (3) Matthew Singleton (NCST), D, 8-4	18	7
184	(6) Dylan Fishback (OSU) def. Don Cates (NCST), MD, 12-1	22	7
197	(14) Luke Geog (OSU) def. Cason Howle (NCST), MD, 17-4	26	7
HWT	(2) Isaac Trumble (NCST) def. (3) Nick Feldman (OSU), D, 5-1	26	10
	Attendance: 3,895