2023 Ohio Bobcats football team

The 2023 Ohio Bobcats football team represented Ohio University as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by third-year head coach Tim Albin and played their home games at Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio.

Ohio entered the season coming off of their first 10 win season since 2011 as the defending division champion and favorite to repeat in the MAC East and the second favorite to Toledo to win the conference. Ohio entered the season returning 9 of 11 starters from the highest scoring offense in the MAC including the defending conference player of the year in quarterback Kurtis Rourke who was returning from a torn ACL that he suffered in the eleventh game of the previous season against Ball State.

Ohio finished non-conference play with a record of 3–1. Rourke was not cleared to play until the Monday before the Week Zero game with San Diego State. He suffered an undisclosed injury and was removed from the game in the first quarter. The Bobcat offense struggled in a 20–13 loss. C.J. Harris and Parker Narvarro split time at quarterback in a win against Long Island. Ohio's running game held the ball for over 37 minutes. The following week, Ohio kept the ball on the ground 45 times in a 17–10 win at Florida Atlantic. Iowa State came to Peden Stadium where both offenses struggled in a game that featured 11 punts. The Bobcat's offense was unproductive but almost mistake free and held the ball for over 35 minutes. The Bobcat defense, led by Bryce Houston's 15 tackles, forced some key mistakes that made the difference in a 10–7 victory.

Ohio opened conference play with a 38–7 over Bowling Green. Ohio's defense again ruled the day forcing four turnovers and scoring two touchdowns. Rourke was 14 of 16 with three touchdown passes. For their Homecoming, they opened up their offense in a 42–17 win over Kent State. Rourke threw for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns of which 125 yards and 2 touchdowns had Miles Cross on the receiving end. The Bobcat's five game winning streak was snapped the following week with a 23–13 loss on a windy day at Northern Illinois. The Bobcat offense had 460 yards against Western Michigan without a turnover but only managed to score 20 points as Ohio held on to win by 3. Ohio dropped out of a first place tie in a 30–16 home rivalry loss to Miami the following week. They rebounded with a 20–10 win over Buffalo in their first midweek game of the season. Ohio completed their home schedule with a 34–20 win over Central Michigan but were eliminated from MAC contention when Miami won on the same night. The Bobcats fell behind Akron in the season finale but outscored the Zips 22–0 in the second half to finish MAC Play at 6–2 and finished the regular season 9–3 overall for the second straight season. Ohio's defense led their way for much of the year with the fifth best scoring defense in the FBS at 15.4 points per game, while allowing 96 rushing yards (8th) and 168 passing yards (7th) per game. Ohio accepted a bid to play Georgia Southern in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. Prior to the game Ohio's offense took a huge hit as Rourke, starting receivers Miles Cross and Ty Walton, and their top two backs Sieh Bangura and O'Shaan Allison all entered the transfer portal. It mattered little as the Bobcats scored 41 points with the aid of five forced turnovers by the defense to cruise to a 41–21 victory. Freshman Rickey Hunt set an Ohio program record and tied the record for touchdowns in bowl games by finding the endzone five times. He was named the games MVP. It was Ohio's second straight 10 win season.

Transfers
Source:

Coaches Poll
On July 20 the MAC announced the preseason coaches poll. Ohio was picked to finish first in the East. They received four votes to win conference which was second only to defending champion and West favorite Toledo.

At San Diego State
Ohio traveled across the country to take on San Diego State in Week 0 game that was the earliest start to a football season in Bobcat history. Defending MAC Player of the Year Kurtis Rourke, who was coming off of an ACL tear, was not cleared as the starting quarterback until the Monday prior to the game. The teams exchanged field goals of their first two drives including a 49-yard connection by SDSU kicker Jack Browning on the opening drive of the game. After an 8 for 10 start, Rourke was pulled from the game for precautionary reasons late in the first quarter after he got up with a limp after being hit in the pocket. He was replaced by backup CJ Harris. Harris threw an interception on his first pass of the season but a missed field goal by Browning left the score tied. Ohio took the lead on a 40-yard FG by Gianni Spetic on a drive led by the running of Sieh Bangura. After an Aztec punt, Harris moved the Bobcats in position to take a two score lead going into halftime but was intercepted by Cedarious Barfield. After the return, San Diego State marched 71 yards in 44 seconds to take the lead on a Mark Redman touchdown reception on the final play of the half.

Ohio used up most of the third quarter on a 19 play drive to open the half but it resulted in a missed field goal. Another Browning field goal and another touchdown catch by Redman gave SDSU a two score lead with 6:20 left in the fourth quarter. Harris led Ohio on a 15 play drive that concluded with a touchdown pass to Miles Cross. Ohio's defense stopped the Aztecs on fourth down with 59 seconds remaining to give their offense a chance. After driving to the SDSU 33, New Zealand Williams intercepted Harris and returned it 40 yards to run out the clock.

Vs. LIU
In a game in which the Bobcats were heavily favored the staff chose to sit several starters Ohio played conservatively and kept the ball on the ground much of the game. CJ Harris started at quarterback. He and Parker Navarro combined to complete 12 or 15 pass attempts. Ohio ran the ball 45 times with Sieh Bangura getting 107 yards on 19 attempts to win MAC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Linebacker Bryce Houston had 11 tackles with an interception and a sack to win MAC Defensive player of the week as the Bobcats cruised to a 27–10 victory over Long Island.

At Florida Atlantic
In a game that went differently from last year's shootout between Ohio and Florida Atlantic in Athens the prior season, Ohio won a defensive struggle by holding off FAU by a score of 17–10. Kurtis Rourke started for Ohio after sitting out the prior week. Casey Thompson started for FAU after transferring from Nebraska during the off season.

Rourke was intercepted on his first pass of the game. However, Thompson gave Ohio the ball right back with an interception by Austin Brawley on the next play. Ohio moved into field goal range on the ensuing possession, but, in the first of what would be many missed opportunities for Ohio's offense, Alex Kasee missed a 44-yard field goal attempt. After an FAU three and out, Ohio again got into field goal range. However, in lieu of another long field goal try they were stopped on fourth down. After a series of drives ending in punts, a Sieh Bangura fumble in the second quarter set up a Logan Lupo field goal to give the Owls the lead. On the next possession, Ohio drove into Owl territory again but Jarron Morris intercepted a Rourke pass off Ty Walton's hands and returned it 72 yards to give the Owls a ten-point lead. Rourke then led the Bobcats on an 11 play, 75-yard drive and this time they capitalized with a touchdown pass to Will Kacmarek to cut the lead to three.

After an FAU punt to open the second half, Ohio went on another long touchdown drive that culminated with an O'Shaan Allison 5 yard rush. After an exchange of punts Tank Pearson intercepted a Thompson pass set up a Kasee field goal to put Ohio up by a touchdown with 5 minutes left. Ohio's offense played conservatively the rest of the way and finished the game with 45 rushing attempts as they relied on their defense to stop the final two Owl drives and preserve the win. The Bobcat defense forced two turnovers and held the Owls to 185 total yards with only 5 yards rushing. Both FAU scores were set up by Bobcat turnovers. LaJohntay Wester was the lone bright spot for the Owls' offense with 12 catches for 101 yards.

Vs. Iowa State
In another defensive slugfest, Ohio's offense eked out enough points against the top defense in the Big 12 Conference from the prior season to edge Iowa State by a score of 10–7. Points were hard to come by. Each team had one drive during the first half that ended in a missed long field goal attempt but the other possessions in the first half ended in a combined six punts and Ohio's final possession that ended with the half expiring. The score at the half was deadlocked at zero with very little productivity out of either offensive unit.

Ohio caught the first break major break of the game when a Cyclone receiver slipped on his route on the second play from scrimmage of the second half. The play resulted in Torrie Cox Jr. intercepting a Rocco Becht pass that set the Bobcats up with a short field on offense. They capitalized six plays later when Sam Wiglusz grabbed a 5-yard touchdown pass from Kurtis Rourke on third and goal. Iowa State managed one first down on the next drive but then teams then exchanged three and out possessions.

Ohio's offense finally found some rhythm near the end of the third quarter. The Bobcat's managed a 12 play drive netting 81 yards that ate 5:47 off of the clock. Ohio kicker Gianni Spetic hit a 27-yard field goal to give Ohio a ten-point lead early in the fourth quarter. On the ensuing drive the Cyclones found some offense and marched 63 yards on 14 plays. They passed on going for a first down on 4th and 1 from the Ohio 19. Instead, they opted for a short field goal attempt with controversial results. The ball passed high over the right goal post and was ruled as a miss. After an Ohio three and out, Iowa State's offense provided just what it needed to get back in the game with a quick two play touchdown drive ending in an 18-yard touchdown reception by Jaydin Higgins. After Ohio could only manage one first down on their next possession, a punt set up the Cyclones with a chance starting from their own 12-yard line. Becht's pass on the first play was defected and bounced back toward defensive lineman Rodney Mathews who snatched a game sealing interception.

Ohio's defense held Iowa State to 7 points, 271 yards, and forced two Cyclone turnovers. Linebacker Bryce Houston led the way and won his second MAC East Defensive Player of the Week award on the young season with a 15-tackle performance. Ohio's offense was equally unproductive but made fewer mistakes than the Cyclones and that made the difference in the game. The Bobcat offense allowed no sacks, never fumbled or dropped a pass, did not commit a single penalty or turn the ball over, held the ball for almost 36 minutes, and, other than the plays killing the clock at the end of the game, had only one rushing attempt for negative yardage.

At Bowling Green
Ohio spoiled Bowling Green's homecoming by putting up 38 points, their highest point total of the young season, but it was again Ohio's defense that stole the show. Ohio's defense held Bowling Green to 211 yards and forced 4 turnovers, scored 2 touchdowns, and did not surrender points until the game was out of hand with Ohio holding a 38–0 lead in the 4th quarter.

Former Missouri and Indiana starting quarterback Connor Bazelak was intercepted by Ohio linebacker Keye Thompson on the game's opening possession. Ohio capitalized on their second play with a 29 catch by running back Sieh Bangura. After a Bowling Green three and out Ohio went up by fourteen on a Will Kacmarek 10 yard reception. On the ensuing possession Keye Thompson came up big for Ohio after recovering a fumble forced by Vonnie Watkins and returned it 71 yards for a touchdown to put Ohio up by 21 less than ten minutes into the game. Thompson's big plays would eran him MAC East Defensive Player of the week. After a Gianni Spetic field goal early in the second quarter, Bryce Houston and Torrie Cox Jr forced a fumble that was picked up by Roman Parodie for the second scoop and score of the game. Beginning early in the 3rd quarter A 10 play, 77-yard drive resulted in Kurtus Rourke's third touchdown pass of the game. This time Miles Cross was on the receiving end to put the Bobcats up 38–0. Bowling Green got on the board with a 4-yard rush by Terion Stewart in the 4th quarter to make the final 38–7.

Ohio's offense again played conservatively with another strong defensive performance. They kept the ball on the ground 37 times and held the ball for over 34 minutes. Rourke was 14 of 16 on his pass attempts for 198 yards and 3 touchdowns. His 98.5 Total QBR Rating on the game led the FBS for the week.

Vs. Kent State
Ohio won its homecoming matchup with the Kent State Golden Flashes. They won at home for the ninth straight time and won their ninth straight MAC regular season game. Ohio had its best offensive output so far on the season with 42 points. The Bobcats gave quarterback Kurtis Rourke his first real opportunity to air it out since tearing his ACL in 2022. He took advantage of 32 pass attempts by netting 300 passing yards with 3 touchdowns and also scored on the ground. Two of the touchdowns were caught by Miles Cross who had 125 receiving yards on the day. That was good enough for Cross to win MAC East Offensive Player of the Week honors. Sam Wiglusz caught the other TD and ended with 44 yards. Ohio's defense had another good effort as they held Kent State to 228 total yards. Linebacker Bryce Houston continued his stellar season with 10 tackles, ½ sack, 1½ tackles for loss, and an interception. Bradley Weaver added 2 sacks for the Bobcats. Chrishon McCray was the offensive bright spot for Kent State with 93 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns.

Both offenses started slowly as the first quarter ended 0–0. Cross caught is first touchdown early in the second but Kent State immediately responded with a 42-yard bomb to McCray from Michael Alaimo. After an exchange of punts, Wiglusz scored the first of five touchdowns in five possessions on a 30-yard reception that was ruled a catch after official review. Rourke scored from 4 yards out on a rush just before the half as Ohio took a 21–7 lead. The Kent State opened the second half with a field goal but then Ohio broke the game open in the second half with another Cross catch and two 3 yard rushing touchdowns from running back Sieh Bangura. McCray caught his second touchdown from Golden Flashes backup quarterback Tommy Ulatowski in the fourth quarter to make the final 42–17.

Vs. Northern Illinois
On a windy day in DeKalb, Illinois both offenses struggled moving the ball. Northern Illinois kept the ball on the ground 34 times for 130 yard while Ohio's passing attack turned it over three times in the fourth as the Huskies defended their turf on their homecoming defeating the Bobcats by a score of 23–13.

Northern Illinois struck first on their second possession of the game as Gavin Williams broke loose on a rush from 53 yards out for the first touchdown the Ohio defense surrendered in the first quarter on the season. Ohio responded with a field goal on the ensuing possession and took the lead on a 1-yard run by quarterback Kurtis Rourke on their next possession. Ohio's offense burned up nearly the rest of the half with a 16 play drive on their next possession as Gianni Spetic connected on a 37-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining.to take a 13–7 lead into the break.

After an Ohio 3 and out to open the second half, NIU quarterback Rocky Lombardi found Grayson Barnes on a short pass on third and 2 and he got behind the Bobcat defense and scampered 58 yards to retake the lead. The Huskies extended the lead after a nine play drive on their next possession ending in 37-yard field goal by Kanon Woodill. Ohio's offense failed to move the ball against the wind in the third quarter gaining only 37 yards on three possessions. Now behind and with the wind the in fourth they opened up the passing game with disastrous results. Rourke missed his receiver resulting in an interception on all three Ohio possessions. Two of which set Northern Illinois's offense up for late field goals as the game ended in 23–13 Huskie victory. Lombardi finished the game with 172 yards and no turnovers while Rourke was held to 159 yards.

Vs. Western Michigan
In a game a day where both offenses moved the ball well but failed to capitalize with a lot of points, Ohio managed to hold on late to edge Western Michigan by a score of 20–17 to become bowl eligible. After WMU opened with a 3 an out, the Bobcats went on a 13 play drive but had to settle for a 18-yard field goal. The Broncos responded with an 11 play drive of their own. On the following possession WMU drove 43 yards but missed a 4-yard field goal try. After an Ohio 3 and out, the Broncos got to the Ohio 6 yard line but penalties left them missing a 41-yard field. Early in the second quarter Ohio drove to the Western Michigan 41 but were stuffed on 4th and short. After an exchange of punts it was WMU that was stopped on 4th down at the Bobcat 22. Following another Ohio punt, the Broncos again got into Ohio territory but a Hayden Wolfe pass was picked off by Tank Pearson at the 18 yard line. OU took over with 0:39 left in the half. On the 5th play of the drive a 38-yard reception by Sam Wiglusz put them on the WMU 13. Kurtis Rourke tried to hit Miles Cross in the corner of the end zone but a pass interference penalty prevented a touchdown. Now with the ball spotted on the 2, and with only 4 seconds left in the half, Ohio chose to settle for a short field goal. After one half of play the two teams managed to combine for only 6 points.

Ohio received the second half kickoff but an 11-play drive ended in a missed 25-yard field goal. WMU went 52 yards on the ensuing drive and got on the scoreboard by finally succeeding on a field goal try. This one was from 43 yard. Ohio was the first team to find the endzone as the as running back Sieh Bangura found paydirt with a 1-yard rush with 2:36 left in the 3rd quarter. WMU's offense quickly moved down the field to get back within three 5 plays later as quarterback Hayden Wolff scored from 3 yards out. Ohio went on a 9 play, 66-yard drive early in the 4th but, again, failed to capitalize, as the drive ended in another missed short field goal from 26 yards. Ohio's defense held the lead and forced a WMU punt. The Bobcats took control on the game when Rourke found Wiglusz in the endzone with 4:36 remaining to take a 20–10 lead. The Broncos kept hope alive with a TD reception by Kenneth Womack late in the game but after a first down on the next possession on the running of O'Shaun Allison, Ohio was able to run out the clock.

Wiglusz had a big day with 10 catches for 155 yards. Rourke threw for 275 yards while Bangura had 85 yards on the ground. Linebackers Keye Thompson and Bryce Houston led the defense with 13 and 12 tackles respectively. Punter Jack Wilson aided the Bobcat cause averaging 48 yards per punt to win MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week. Hayden Wolff threw for 290 yards for the Broncos with 90 going to Womack who had 14 catches.

Vs. Miami (OH)
Miami snapped Ohio's ten game home winning streak and took possession of first place in the MAC East with a rivalry win in the Battle of the Bricks in spite of their starting quarterback Brett Gabbert being lost for the season with an injury during the prior week. Ohio jumped out to a 9–0 lead by the end of the first quarter with a rushing touchdown by Sieh Bangura and a field goal by Gianni Spetic. Miami converted a field goal after a strip sack of Kurtis Rourke by Brian Ugwu set them on Ohio's 11 yard line. That was the first of 30 straight points the RedHawks would score as they took a 30–9 in the fourth quarter. A late Ohio touchdown catch by Ty Walton made the final 30–16.

Miami kept the ball on the ground 46 times and rushed for 188 yards. Rashad Amos has 163 yards on the ground and Aveon Smith had 103 yards passing. Playing from behind for much of the game Rourke had his highest passing yard total so far on the year with 313 yards.

At Buffalo
Ohio went on the road for their first mid-week MACtion game of the season and defeated the Buffalo Bulls by a score of 20–10. Buffalo outplayed Ohio during the first half, marching as far as the Ohio 14, 23, and 37 on three of their first half drives but only had one Alex McNulty field goal to show for it.

Ohio took the opening kickoff of the second half and after a 13 play drive tied the score with a short field goal off the leg of Gianni Spetic. After reaching the Buffalo two on their next possession, head coach Tim Albin decided to go for it on 4th down and Ohio took their first lead when Sieh Bangura found paydirt. The Bulls immediately responded and retied the score on the ensuing drive with a CJ Ogbonna touchdown rush early in the fourth quarter. The Bobcats took the lead again after another 13 play drive ended in a Spetic field goal. After Buffalo fumbled on their next possession, Ohio took advantage with another Bangura touchdown to provide the final margin.

Ohio's offense was limited to a season low 236 total yards. Their defense was the key to the win. Linebackers Keye Thompson and Bryce Houston led the way with 13 and 12 tackles each. Thompson won his second MAC East Defensive Player of the Week award for the effort.

Vs. Central Michigan
The Bobcats won their final home game of the season with a 34–20 win over Central Michigan. Ohio snapped a six-game losing streak against the Chippewas with their first win in the series since 2011. Ohio jumped out to a 10–0 lead with 6:19 remaining in the first quarter when defensive end Shane Bonner intercepted a Jase Bauer pass and returned it for a touchdown. Then the first of two short touchdown runs by O’Shaaun Allison gave Ohio a 17-point lead midway through the second quarter. CMU responded on the ensuing possession when Tyson Davis got behind the Ohio defense and caught a 50-yard touchdown pass to make the score 17-7 going into the half.

Ohio took the second half kickoff and marched 75 yards in eight play in a drive that culminated in a 16-yard touchdown run by Kurtis Rourke. It was the first of four consecutive touchdown drives. Another long Jase Bauer touchdown pass, this one 62 yards, caught by Chris Parker made the score 24–14. Ohio looked to take command after Allision's second touchdown run but two separate personal fouls on fourth downs kept a CMU touchdown drive alive and the Chips stayed in the game after the drive ended in a Marion Lukes touchdown rush. Ohio's defense shut down CMU for the rest of the game and Ohio's offense was able to control the clock. A fourth quarter field goal by Gianni Spetic made the final a 14-point margin for the Bobcats.

Rourke threw for 222 yards while running back Sieh Bangura had 126 yards and won MAC East Offensive Player of the Week. Linebackers Keye Thompson and Bryce Houston continued their good play with 9 tackles each. Jase Bauer had 157 yards through the air for Central Michigan with most coming on two long touchdown passes.

At Akron
In the final game of the season Ohio's defense shut down the Akron offense which was held to 183 total yards in a 25–14 win over the Zips to finish the regular season 9–3.

Ohio took the opening kickoff and marched 62 yards in 11 plays but had to settle for a short field goal. Both offenses struggled for the rest of the quarter. The Bobcats missed two long field goals on their first two drives of the second quarter. Akron took advantage of the good field position and scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive following each miss. The first was a long reception by Lorenzo Lingard Tahj Bullock while the second was on a Bullock run. Akron took a 14–3 lead into the half.

Ohio's offense found paydirt on their first three drives of the second half. Kurtis Rourke found Ty Walton for the first and Miles Cross for the second. Bryce Houston intercepted Jeff Undercuffler to set up the third as Sieh Bangura scored from 1 yard out.

Rourke threw for 208 yards and passed his older brother Nathan Rourke for second on Ohio's all time passing yards list and won MAC East Offensive Player of the Week. Cross had 85 receiving yards. Bangura accumulated 121 yards on the ground while Houston had 6 tackles. Jack Wilson averaged 43.3 yards per punt and won his second MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week award on the season.

Vs. Georgia Southern
The Bobcats sought their 2nd straight 10 win season for the first time in program histrory against Georgia Southern in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. It was the first time both Ohio and Georgia Southern played in the Myrtle Beach Bowl and the first time that they have played each other. Ohio suffered transfer portal losses before the game as quarterback Kurtis Rourke, starting receivers Miles Cross and Ty Walton, and their top two backs Sieh Bangura and O'Shaan Allison and middle linebacker Keye Thompson left the team.

Ohio struck first, capitalizing with a field goal after Jeremiah Wood intercepted Georgia Southern quarterback Davis Brin on the game's first series. Following an Eagle punt the Bobcat's took a ten point lead on a 13 play drive when freshman running back Ricky Hunt scored on a two yard run. Two plays later Adonis Williams Jr. intercepted Brin for the second time setting Ohio up on the 21 yard line. They failed to capitalize on the turnover as a fourth down pass at the goal line by third string quarterback Parker Navarro to Sam Wiglusz fell incomplete. After another Eagle punt, Ohio went 62 yards in 4 plays and took a 17–0 lead when Navarro found Hunt from 18 yards out on a jump pass. A Bradley Weaver strip sack of Brin set the Bobcats up for Spetic's second field goal as the half expired.

Following an Ohio punt Walter Reynolds gave Ohio its third interception of Brin as a 40 yard return set the Bobcats up on the Eagle 6 yard line. Hunt ran it into the endzone on the next play. Ohio had jumped out to a 27–0 lead. The Georgia Southern offense found some life and went 69 yards on 6 plays culminating on David Mbadinga touchdown run. After an Ohio three and out, Georgia Southern looked to get back in the game but fumbled away a chance the Ohio 10. Six plays later, Hunt burst through the Eagle defense and scored from 40 yards away. That was a shift that put the Bobcats back up by 27. The Eagles then went 68 yards in two plays ending in a Derwin Burgess Jr. 65 yard touchdown reception. Then, after a successful onside kick they got to with 13 when Brin found Jjay Mcafee in the endzone. Ohio's ensuing drive lasted only four plays and set Georgia Southern up with a chance as they got the ball back with 9:01 remaining. They reached the Ohio 45 but failed on a fourth down pass attempt. Rickey Hunt's Ohio record fifth touchdown of the game provided the final 20 point margin. It was Ohio's fifth straight bowl win.

Hunt's 115 yards and 5 TDs with four if those coming on the ground won him the game's MVP and came in his first extended playing time of his career. His 5 TD's tied the record in bowl games and set an Ohio program record. Navarro also played well in his first collegiate with start with 11 competitions on 16 attempts for 120 yards and 71 rushing yards. Brin threw for 350 yards, bringing his total for the year to 3,781, but his three interceptions and lost fumble provided much of the difference in the game. Georgia Southern outgained Ohio by 21 yards but Ohio won the turnover battle 5–0, held the Eagles to 1.6 yards per rush attempt, and, with 232 total rushing yards, held the ball for almost seven more minutes. Bryce Houston, in his final game, led the Bobcat defense won eight tackles. Ohio sacked Brin five times.

Statistics
''Final Statistics through December 16, 2023

Source:

Defense
Key: POS: Position, SOLO: Solo Tackles, AST: Assisted Tackles, TOT: Total Tackles, TFL: Tackles-for-loss, SACK: Quarterback Sacks, INT: Interceptions, BU: Passes Broken Up, PD: Passes Defended, QBH: Quarterback Hits, FR: Fumbles Recovered, FF: Forced Fumbles, BLK: Kicks or Punts Blocked, SAF: Safeties, TD : Touchdown

Coaching staff
Since July 14, 2021, the head coach of the Ohio Bobcats has been Tim Albin. He heads a staff of ten assistant coaches, four graduate assistants, a director of football operations, and numerous other support staff.

Roster
As of August 19 - Source:

Depth chart
For homecoming game vs. Kent State - Source:

All-MAC awards
Source

Rankings
Source: AP -

Coaches -

CFP -