Ohio rallies past West Virginia 28-21 in OVAC All-Star Game

WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — Ohio rallied from a two-touchdown deficit to defeat West Virginia, 28-21, in a highly anticipated matchup in Wheeling.

It did not take long for the game to produce a big play.

On West Virginia’s opening drive, Ty Sperringer took the shotgun snap, rolled to his left and threw toward the sideline, where Zach Bryan came up with an interception to give Ohio possession in West Virginia territory. Ohio was unable to capitalize on the turnover.

The visitors broke through later in the first quarter.

Ian Starkey kept the ball on the option and ran it into the end zone for the game’s first touchdown, giving Ohio a 7-0 lead.

West Virginia answered moments later.

Sperringer used play action before lofting a pass to the end zone, where Glen Brown made the catch and kept both feet in bounds for the tying touchdown.

The hosts struck again in the final seconds of the opening quarter. Sperringer took a shot downfield, and Brown hauled in his second touchdown reception of the game to give West Virginia a 14-7 advantage.

West Virginia extended its lead early in the second quarter.

Sperringer handed the ball to Kade Koronoes, who cut back near midfield before sprinting untouched the rest of the way for a touchdown, pushing the lead to 21-7.

Ohio answered before halftime.

Sam McLean faked the handoff, rolled to his right and found Nolan Blackburn in the end zone for a touchdown.

Ohio completed the comeback in the second half, scoring the game’s final two touchdowns to earn a 28-21 victory over West Virginia.