By Tiffany Williams –
Ohio closed its home schedule with an emphatic 42-14 win over UMass on a storm-interrupted Tuesday night at Peden Stadium, securing an undefeated 6-0 record at Frank Solich Field for the second straight season. The game opened with a 15-minute lightning delay and was halted again late in the second quarter, but the Bobcats’ ground attack never lost its rhythm, powering a six-touchdown performance that overwhelmed a UMass team forced deep into its quarterback depth.
UMass struck first after AJ Hairston led the opening drive into Ohio territory before leaving the game due to injury. Brandon Rose entered and immediately connected with Owen Anderson for a 10-yard touchdown at 12:05 of the first quarter. Ohio answered with an 11-play, 70-yard drive capped by a Parker Navarro keeper to tie it 7-7. A UMass miscue on a fourth-and-one snap derailed its next drive, but the Minutemen responded with a fourth-down stop of their own before Ohio found momentum. Duncan Brune hurdled his way into the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown, giving the Bobcats a 14-7 lead before lightning forced a lengthy stoppage at the 3:52 mark of the second quarter. After play resumed, Sieh Bangura powered up the middle for a three-yard score to send Ohio into halftime up 21-7.
UMass battled through more injury adversity with Rose later leaving the game and Grant Jordan taking over at quarterback. Jordan’s third-quarter scramble and toss to freshman Elijah Pedro cut the deficit to 21-14, but Ohio’s offense immediately responded. A pair of long runs moved the Bobcats into scoring range, and Bangura punched in another short touchdown to restore a two-score cushion. Navarro added a four-yard touchdown early in the fourth, and Brune tacked on a one-yard score to close out the night at 42-14. Tank Pearson’s interception between those touchdowns halted any hope of a UMass rally.
Bangura delivered a career-night with 196 rushing yards and two touchdowns, surpassing both 1,000 rushing yards on the season for the second time and 3,000 for his career. His effort led a 363-yard rushing performance that also included 84 yards and two touchdowns from Brune and 81 yards and two touchdowns from Navarro, marking the first time since 2018 that three Ohio players each ran for two or more scores in a single game. The Bobcats’ defense produced two interceptions—one from Jack Fries, who also registered 10 tackles, and another from Pearson—along with sacks from Anas Luqman and Derek Reagans and a fumble recovery by Pius Odjugo.
UMass saw three quarterbacks take the field. Jordan finished 10-of-21 with a touchdown and an interception while adding 17 rushing yards. Anderson recorded his first touchdown of the season and the second of his career, while Pedro’s third-quarter score marked his first collegiate reception. Tyler Martin led the Minutemen with 13 tackles, followed by Rashad Henry with 12 and Derrieon Craig with 11. David Onuoha posted a career-best two sacks, and Marques White forced his second fumble of the season, recovered by Shymell Davis.
UMass, now preparing for its final MAC game, will host Bowling Green on Nov. 25. Ohio concludes its regular season at Buffalo on Nov. 28.
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