Halftime BTN: Ohio 14, Central Michigan 13
Being outscored to start the game has been a problem for Central Michigan football this season, allowing opponents to hold a 41-12 advantage through five games in the first quarter.
Against Ohio on Saturday, CMU was able to stay tied with Ohio at seven after the first quarter and went into the locker room trailing 14-13 at halftime.
The Bobcats went 75 yards in 10 plays, capping off the opening drive with a one-yard touchdown rush from quarterback Nathan Rourke.
Senior tight end Tyler Conklin responded with three catches for 40 yards and a touchdown on the following drive to tie the game at seven all.
CMU quarterback Shane Morris was intercepted late in the first quarter as his team was moving into Ohio territory, but Rourke also turned it over with a fumble to eliminate their next potential scoring opportunity to keep things even at seven midway through the second quarter.
Ohio answered on their next possession with Rourke’s second rushing touchdown of the afternoon, this one from 14 yards out.
Ohio attempted a 50-yard field goal right before halftime that was blocked and returned for a 60-yard touchdown by CMU’s Sean Bunting. CMU missed the extra-point, leading to the halftime count.
Rourke led the Bobcat offense by completing 10-of-15 passes for 97 yards, while also leading his team in rushing on eight keepers for 61 yards and a pair of scores.
Morris completed 13-of-15 passes for 119 yards with a touchdown and interception.
By the numbers
Passing Yards: CMU 119, Ohio 97
Rushing Yards: CMU 12, Ohio 128
Total Yards: CMU 140, Ohio 225
Penalties-Yards: CMU 4-40, Ohio 1-5
First Downs: CMU 7, Ohio 14
Turnovers: CMU 1, Ohio 1
Highlight of the half: Conklin came across the middle of the field and Morris was able to get him the ball in space as he went for the end zone. After diving through a defender, Conklin reached out across the goal line for the 16-yard score. In the first half, Conklin had five catches for 63 yards and one touchdown.
