ATHENS — Led by a record-breaking offensive performance, the Ohio Bobcats (2-2) defeated the Fordham Rams (3-1) in a wild shootout, 59-52.
"I said last week, and I will say it again. One thing for certain is that this team has got fight," said head coach Tim Albin. "I challenged them at halftime. They took it well and our guys kept fighting. Unbelievable game at home with another outstanding crowd here on campus."
Quarterback Kurtis Rourke made program history, going for 527 yards in the air, breaking a record that was set in 1983. He finished the game completing 41 of 50 passes in addition to rushing 45 yards on 10 attempts.
The offense also set a program record, gaining 692 total yards.
Ohio opened the game with a 14-play, 75-yard drive that resulted in a one-yard rushing touchdown from Rourke to give them an early 7-0 lead.
The Bobcats would get in the endzone again with 1:24 remaining in the quarter, as Rourke would find Tyler Foster for a 36-yard touchdown toss.
The score would mark Foster's second collegiate touchdown, giving the Bobcats a 14-0 lead.
The Rams would get on the board on a 33-yards touchdown pass from Tim DeMorat to Foits Kokosioulis. The extra point by Brandon Peskin made the score 14-7 with 13:53 in the second quarter.
Kokosioulis would have a huge day for the Rams as he finished the game with 13 receptions for 320 yards and four touchdowns.
Nathaniel Vakos extended the Bobcats' lead with a 34-yard field goal, but Fordham quickly struck, cutting Ohio's lead to three points with a 74-yard reception.
However, the Rams wouldn't take long to answer as DeMorat and Kokosioulis would hookup to find the endzone a second time on a 74-yard strike to cut the Ohio lead to 17-14.
Ohio extended their lead as running back Tyler Toledo's 13-yard run gave the Bobcats a 24-14 advantage with 2:50 left before halftime.
But Fordham would strike fast as the Rams drove 60-yards in just 3 plays, culminating with another DeMorat touchdown pass. This time to Dequece Carter from 9-yards out to make the score 24-21 with 1:50 left in the half.
The 'Cats would finish off the high scoring second quarter with an 8-play, 84-yard drive as Rourke would hit Jacoby Jones on a 21-yard touchdown toss to make the halftime score 31-21.
Fordham would open up the second half as DeMorat and Kokosioulis would hookup again on a 45-yard touchdown strike to cut the Ohio lead down to 31-28 early on in the third period.
It only took 14 second for the Bobcats to respond as Keegan Wilburn would take the ensuing kickoff and return it 98-yards for his first score of the season and give Ohio a 38-28 lead.
The play was a historical return as it is now the third-longest kickoff return for a touchdown in program history.
The Rams scored on three-straight drives, taking a 49-38 lead into the fourth quarter and a lot of momentum.
The Bobcats would begin to claw their way back early in the fourth quarter as Rourke would throw a 21-yard pass to Tyler Foster, who made a spectacular one-handed grab, to cut the lead to 49-44.
Cross Miles would catch the two-point conversion pass from Rourke to make the score 49-46 early in the final period.
Fordham would finally get back on the board with a 36-yard field goal Brandon Peskin to put the score at 52-46 with 10:36 remaining.
With 2:24 remaining in the game and no timeouts, Rourke and the Ohio offense would start a 9-play, 77-yard drive that would end up being the game-clinching score.
The scoring play would come on first-and-goal as Rourke would connect with Jacoby Jones for the second time in the game on a 5-yard pass to tie the game up with :52 remaining in the game.
Vakos would split the sticks on the extra point try to give Ohio a 53-52 lead.
Senior linebacker Bryce Houston would put an exclamation point on the victory, as he scooped up a botched lateral on the final play and returned it 42-yards to put the final score at 59-52.
Up next, the Bobcats travel to Kent State to open MAC play on Saturday, Oct. 1. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. and the game can be watched on ESPN+.
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