KALAMAZOO, Mich.— A strong defensive effort, that included five interceptions, helped Ohio defeat the Western Michigan Broncos 33-14, giving the Bobcats their first winn on the road this season.
Redshirt junior quarterback Kurtis Rourke completed 22 of 34 passes, finishing with 264 yards on the day. Wide receiver Sam Wiglusz led the receivers with eight receptions for 76 yards. On the ground, Sieh Bangura had two touchdowns on 77 rushing yards and Rourke was responsible for a rushing score as well.
Defensive end Vonnie Watkins had a huge day with five tackles, one sack, three tackles for loss and one forced fumble. Torrie Cox, Jr. and Zack Sanders each recorded two interceptions while Bryce Dugan had one interception.
Freshman kicker Nathanial Vakos hit a 55-yard field goal, which marked a personal best, as well as tied him for the third-longest field goal in program history.
Ohio (4-3, 2-1 MAC) started the game off with two long, time-consuming drives that both ended in touchdowns.
The first drive, a 12-play, 75-yard drive that took 6:16 off the clock and was finished off with a one-yard run by Bangura. The second drive for the Bobcats, would again cover 75-yards in 11 plays and melt 6:24 from the clock and result in Bangura's second touchdown score of the game.
A 26-yard field goal from Vakos, would push the Bobcats lead to 17-7 with 1:50 remaining before halftime.
Western Michigan (2-5, 1-2 MAC) would answer with a 75-yard touchdown strike by Jack Salopek to Corey Crooms to make the score 17-14 with 1:05 left in the half.
Vakos would come on with :06 left to kick his career-long field goal, sending the Bobcats into the locker room with a 20-14 lead at the half.
After a scoreless third quarter, Ohio would extend their lead with another field goal from Vakos, this time from 33-yards with 13:48 remaining in the game.
Rourke's rushing touchdown would come halfway through the fourth quarter and Vakos would covert his final field goal of the game from 35-yards to put the final score at 33-14.
The Bobcats return to Athens on Saturday, Oct. 22 to host the Northern Illinois Huskies. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+.
Ohio 7 13 0 13 = 33
Western Michigan 7 7 0 0 = 14
First Quarter
OHI - Sieh Bangura 1 run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 8:44
WMU - Jack Salopek 8 run (Palmer Domschke kick), 4:23
Second Quarter
OHI - Sieh Bangura 6 run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 12:59
OHI - Nathanial Vakos 26 field goal, 1:50
WMU - Corey Crooms 74 pass from Jack Salopek (Palmer Domschke kick), 1:05
OHI - Nathanial Vakos 55 field goal, :06
Fourth Quarter
OHI - Nathanial Vakos 33 field goal, 13:48
OHI - Kurtis Rourke 1 run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 7:24
OHI - Nathanial Vakos 35 field goal, 03:11
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