ATHENS — The Ohio football team got a strong effort from the defense and running back Sieh Bangura went over the century mark in rushing, as the Bobcats won 24-10 over the Long Island Sharks on Saturday.
The Bobcats got on the board first with 2:44 left in the first quarter, when freshman kicker Gianni Spetic nailed a 24-yard field goal to give Ohio a 3-0 lead.
The defense forced a quick three-and-out on LIU's next drive, setting up another scoring drive for Ohio. Quarterback C.J. Harris would find Tyler Walton for a three-yard touchdown pass to cap off a 10-play drive. Spetic made the extra point and Ohio held a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter.
The Bobcat defense would again halt the Sharks on their next series, this time with a turnover on downs.
Ohio would get the ball back and waste little time getting into the end zone again, as quarterback Parker Navarro would find his tight end Bryce Butler for a nine-yard touchdown toss and a 17-0 Bobcat lead.
Saturday was Navarro's first appearance since he sustained an injury against Iowa State last season.
Safety Austin Brawley would intercept a pass on LIU's next possession, halting a nine-play drive that crossed into Ohio territory.
LIU would finally get on the scoreboard on the final play of the first half, as Michael Coney would hit a 41-yard field goal to make it 17-3 at the half in favor of Ohio.
The Bobcats would march down the field on their opening drive of the second half. Navarro would find tight end Mason Williams for a 32-yard strike for the freshman's first career touchdown reception and Ohio's lead to 24-3.
Spetic would add a 25-yard field goal to give Ohio a 27-3 lead after three quarters.
LIU would finally get in the end zone in the fourth quarter, as quarterback Luca Stanzani connected with Davon Wells for a 15-yard touchdown and make the score 27-10.
The win marked the seventh-straight at Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium.
Ohio will now travel to face Florida Atlantic on Sept. 9 for a 6 p.m. ET game that will be shown on ESPN+. The Bobcats defeated the Owls 41-38 in Athens last season.
Long Island 0 3 0 7 = 10
Ohio 3 14 10 0 = 27
First Quarter
OHIO — Gianni Spetic 24 field goal, 2:44.
Second Quarter
OHIO — Tyler Walton 3 pass from CJ Harris (Gianni Spetic kick), 10:30.
OHIO — Bryce Butler 9 pass from Parker Navarro (Gianni Spetic kick), 4:21.
LIU — Michael Coney 41 field goal, 0:00.
Second Quarter
OHIO — Mason Williams 32 pass from Parker Navarro (Gianni Spetic kick), 11:50.
OHIO — Gianni Spetic 25 field goal, 4:13.
Fourth Quarter
LIU — Davon Wells 43 pass from Luca Stanzani (Michael Coney kick), 6:21.
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LIU OHIO
First downs 13 18
Rushes-yards 22-34 45-199
Passing yards 172 104
Total yards 206 303
Cmp-Att-Int 21-33-2 12-15-1
Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-1
Penalties-yards 5-40 3-30
Punts-average 4-35.8 2-35.0
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Individual Leaders
RUSHING–Long Island: Pat Bowen 5-16, Davon Wells 2-13, Chris Howell 3-5, Maurice Smith 1-2, Ethan Greenwood 2-1, Luca Stanzani 1-minus 3; Ohio: Sieh Bangura 19-107, Parker Navarro 6-34, CJ Harris 4-28, O'Shaan Allison 13-27, Tyler Walton 1-7, Team 2-minus 4.
PASSING–Long Island: Luca Stanzani 21-33-2 172 TD; Ohio: CJ Harris 7-8-0 44 TD, Parker Navarro 5-7-1 60 2TD.
RECEIVING–Long Island: Quincy McDuffie 3-43, Davon Wells 4-38, TD Kyren Petteway 3-34, Aviyon Smith-Mack 4-26, Zach Rhodes 2-20, Owen Glascoe 5-11; Ohio: Tyler Walton 4-36 TD, Mason Williams 1-32 TD, Bryce Butler 1-9 TD, Chase Hendricks 1-8, Miles Cross 1-8, Will Kacmarek 1-5, Keegan Wilburn 1-4, Sieh Bangura 2-0.
MISSED FIELD GOALS–Michael Coney, LIU, 31 (WL).
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