Ohio answers a lot of questions in a spirited performance against the Orange in the season opener.
Fran Brown came away tonight with his first victory as a head coach behind a talented offense and some staunch red zone defense but it was anything but easy for the Syracuse Orange (1-0).
For a team who is in the process replacing nine offensive starters in 2024, Ohio looked sharp on the first drive, moving 50 yards in 13 plays culminating in a 42-yard Gianni Spetic field goal. The ‘Cats leaned more on the run than pass, with eight totes split equally between RB Rickey Hunt Jr. and QB Parker Navarro, covering 33 of the 50 yards.
In getting the first score, Navarro mixed in some short passes to former Northern Arizona receiver Coleman Owen, who had a breakout game in his Green and White debut.
Ohio State transfer Kyle McCord’s debut drive for Syracuse did not go as well, with two of his first three throws nearly intercepted on athletic plays by the Bobcats, leading to a three-and-out. Ohio LB Blake Leake nearly started his own career with a “bang” but was just unable to corral an interception on the sidelines on Ohio’s first defensive play of the game.
Ohio’s second drive was similar to the first, but with Northwestern transfer RB Anthony Tyus III gaining the first 59 yards rushing in what would turn out to be a career day for the new Bobbie. Tyus’ efforts were for naught, however, as Ohio was stopped short of the endzone and held to another field goal by Syracuse’s stellar red zone defense.
Ohio dominated the first quarter with a physical running game that gave the ‘Cats a 25-to-4 play advantage in the period, and took a 6-0 lead with then into the second quarter, but that didn’t stand for long.
McCord and company found their rhythm on their second drive, as McCord hit speedy slotman Trebor Pena for a couple of chunks plays through the air and finished the drive on a 28-yard strike down the sideline to TE Oronde Gadsden II. The catch was a welcome site for Syracuse, as the former first-team all-ACC threat and future Sunday player missed most of 2023 with an injury.
Ohio punted on its opening drive of the second quarter, while Syracuse marched down the field again. However, the Bobcats bend-don’t-break defense slowed Syracuse’s offense after a 17-play drive that resulted in only three points on a 26-yarder by kicker Brady Denaburg. While the whole Ohio defense played with great effort and flow to the ball, Ohio’s defensive end Bradley Weaver was on another level most of the day, contributing a sack and a near sack on third down on this drive to force the field goal to make it 10-6, ‘Cuse.
The action got fast and furious in the final two minutes, with each team getting on the scoreboard.
Ohio’s Tyus hit a gaping hole in the defense and made a shifty cutback move across the field scampering for a 44-yard run which was extended by a 15-yard personal foul by a frustrated Syracuse defender.
Syracuse once again held Ohio out of the endzone with multiple stops inside the 10 yard line despite two defensive penalties that extended drives resulting in Spetic’s third FG of the night.
However, Syracuse hit like a lighting bolt in the final minute of the half, moving the ball 75 yards in 44 seconds for the score. McCord connected with Gadsden II on multiple throws before capping the drive off on a 20-yard strike to Pena down the sideline.
As good as the drive was for the Orange including the area targeted on the final play, the Bobcats appeared to be down at least three defensive starters at that point including safeties Jeremiah Wood and Adonis Williams Jr., who left earlier in the contest after getting shaken up and did not return.
Ohio did not wither despite the end-of-half momentum swing, instead answering the bell to start the third.
After a Syracuse three-and-out where McCord was almost picked off on a forced throw, Ohio narrowed the lead to 17-16 on a 75-yard drive with a heavy dose of Tyus III and Owen. Key to Tyus III’s two-yard TD run was an offensive line who washed the Orange completely down on the left side coupled by what looked like an effective, sustained block by WR Rodney Harris II.
Syracuse then showed its mettle by immediately extending the lead back to 24-16 on a drive featuring RB LeQuint Allen. The Syracuse back started off the drive with a 37 yards on two big runs and finished it off on a five-yard throw from McCord in the flats for the touchdown.
As the game moved towards the fourth quarter, Syracuse gained the upper hand, forcing its first three-and-out of Ohio’s offense of the afternoon. With the ball back in his hands, McCord threw his fourth touchdown pass of the day on a 14-yard toss to Pena.
Ohio was unable to get the offense back on track through the air late in the third, and Syracuse took advantage, with Pena putting the game out of reach on a three-yard score on a jet sweep to make the score 38 to 16.
Showing typical Bobcats resilience, Ohio continued to battle and Tyus III struck again on a 46-yard touchdown gallop on a speed option pitch from Navaro.
Ohio’s spirited play kept many Syracuse starters in the game late, but the Orange were turned away by the Bobcats defense on the final few drives. Ohio’s corner Tank Pearson picked off McCord on a bomb to end the final threat.
Game notes:
- Ohio came into 2024 with a lot of question marks given all the new faces but really answered the bell in all phases. The offensive line, TEs, and WR’s just dominated Syracuse for large stretches of the game where the ‘Cats finished with over 250 yards rushing. The special teams were very good across the board and the defense flowed to the ball well for the most part and played with physicality.
- Ohio’s WR Anthony Tyus III was simply electric. Tyus III came into the contest with a career stat line of 119 carries for 503 yards, 4.2 yards per carry average and two rushing touchdowns at Northwestern. Tyus III finished the contest tonight with 16 carries for 203 yards, for 12.7 yard per carry average and two rushing touchdowns.
- WR Coleman Owen also had a breakout debut with 10 catches for 137 yards.
- DE Bradley Weaver looked the part of an All-American at times tonight, regularly beating his man and wreaking havoc in the backfield multiple times.
- S Austin Brawley played a spirited, physical brand of football leading the team with 12 solo tackles and a pass breakup.
- Syracuse should be excellent on offense having at least four players who look like NFL prospects between McCord, Pena, Gadsden II, and Allen. Despite a game Bobcat defense, Syracuse rolled to 480 total yards offense and 38 points.
Ohio is set to host South Alabama of the Sun Belt Conference for their 2024 home opener, with kickoff set for Saturday, Sept. 7th, at 7 p.m. Eastern time.