ATHENS — Behind a stingy defense and an opportunistic offense, the Ohio Bobcats upset the Iowa State Cyclones 10-7 at Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Both defenes battled it out all game, forcing a total of 11 punts on 21 total possessions and holding each offense well-under their season average in rushing yards.
But in the end, Ohio came up with two key interceptions in the second half to help give the Bobcats its first win over a Power Five team since 2017 and its eighth-straight victory at home. The Ohio defense set the tone on Iowa State's first drive, as safety Austin Brawley and linebacker Bryce Houston teamed up to tackle Cartevious Norton for a loss of two yards on third down. The quick three-and-out let the Cyclones know early on that yards would be at a premium all afternoon.
Houston would led the defense overall with 15 tackles, with five of those being solo. The Bobcats (3-1) held an Iowa State offense, who came into the contest averaging 110 yards on the ground, to just 38 total rushing yards. The defense also held the Cylcones to 3-of-11 on third down conversions.
But the Bobcats had the same tough-going in the first half as well, as the teams went into locker room deadlocked in a scoreless tie. However, the Bobcats felt no pressure at all.
"Nobody was panicked at halftime with the score, and the defensive efforts kept us in it at halftime," said Ohio head coach Tim Albin. The defense would come up with a big play to start the second half, as Torrie Cox Jr. intercepted a pass by Rocco Becht and returned it 22 yards to set Ohio up at the Iowa State 23. Kurtis Rourke scrambled for 11 yards on a third-and-three to move the Bobcats at the 5. Then three plays later, Rourke would hit a wide open Sam Wiglusz for a 5-yard touchdown toss to break the scoreless tie. Gianni Spetic added the extra point and Ohio led 7-0 with 11:18 in the third quarter.
Rourke finished the game accounted for 195 of Ohio's 247 total yards. He passed for 135 yards and ran for 60.
Later in the third, Ohio would get the ball back with 4:45 and put together a time-consuming drive, that carried over into the fourth quarter. Tight end Tyler Foster would highlight the drive with a one-handed catch for a five yard gain in a first down play.
The Bobcats would get as close as the Iowa State 9,The but Ohio would ultimately their lead in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter as Spetic connected on a 27-yard field goal to make it 10-0.
But the Cyclones (1-2) wouldn't go away, as they would march down their field for their first poitns of the game. Becht would complete an 18-yard pass to Jayden Higgins to make it 10-7 with 4:15 left in the game. The defense would put an exclamation point on the afternoon, as defensive tackle Rodney Mathews intercepted a pass intended for Higgins and the offense would run out the remaining time to seal the victory.
Wiglusz led Ohio wideouts with five receptions for 53 receiving yards. Ohio will be on the road next Saturday against the Bowling Green Falcons.
Iowa St 0 0 0 0 = 10
Ohio 0 0 7 3 = 17
Third Quarter
OHIO — Sam Wiglusz 5 pass from Kurtis Rourke (Gianni Spetic kick), 11:18.
Fourth Quarter
OHIO — Gianni Spetic 27 field goal, 13:58.
ISU — Jayden Higgins 18 pass from Rocco Becht (Chase Contreraz kick), 4:15.
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