The Ohio Bobcats celebrate their upset of West Virginia (Photo by Ohio Athletics)
Teams across the Buckeye State continue their success, as only one of Ohio’s teams remains winless. Ohio State continues its quest for a back-to-back national championships, but they aren’t alone in chasing greatness. Youngstown State looks fantastic in the FCS, UC looks ready to fight in the Big 12, and the Ohio Bobcats had the biggest win of the week with their upset win over West Virginia.
#1 Ohio State 2-0 (0-0 in the Big Ten)
The Buckeyes followed up their huge Week 1 win over #1 Texas with a complete crushing victory over Grambling State. The Buckeyes scored ten touchdowns and pitched a shutout for the 70-0 victory. Julian Sayin built off his solid game against the Longhorns, Jeremiah Smith exploded, and the defense played lights out. The Buckeyes host Ohio in their last non-conference game before hitting the road for Big Ten play at the end of September.
Cincinnati 1-1 (0-0 in the Big 12)
UC got their first victory of 2025 when they had their home opener against Bowling Green. Brendan Sorsby had a great game against the Falcons’ defense. The Cincinnati quarterback was 17 of 24 for 333 yards and three touchdowns passing for the Bearcats and added seven carries for 40 yards and a rushing touchdown as well. UC gets a layup game next week in FCS Northwestern State.
Miami (Ohio) 0-2 (0-0 in the MAC)
The Redhawks were slowly crushed by Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights just steadily wore Miami out. Miami fought hard throughout the game and had brought down the Rutgers lead to seven when it was 24-17 in the third quarter, but it was all Scarlet Knights after that. Rutgers would score the last three touchdowns for a 45-17 win. Next up for Miami, they get a week off before having their home opener in Oxford against UNLV.
Ohio 1-1 (0-0 in the MAC)
The Bobcats had the best game of the week of any of Ohio’s teams, and that includes the Buckeyes’ 70-0 blowout of Grambling. After losing to Rutgers in a shootout on the road, Ohio’s defense locked down on West Virginia. They allowed only 250 yards of offense, on 13 first downs, held WVU to converting only 2 of 13 third downs, and held them to 10 points for the 17-10 win. No rest for the weary, however, as they travel to Columbus to play Ohio State next.
Bowling Green 1-1 (0-0 in the MAC)
The Falcons may have lost coach Eddie George’s second game, but there were plenty of positives for Bowling Green, too. They went on the road down I-75 to play a Power 4, Big 12 team in Cincinnati. The Bearcats led 21-3, but the Falcons didn’t go quietly. Bowling Green outscored UC in the second half 17-13. They slowed the Bearcats’ rushing attack, holding UC to 108 yards on the ground, 40 of those by their quarterback. BGSU star quarterback Drew Pyne played well even in defeat. The tests continue for Coach George and company as Liberty comes to Bowling Green next week.
Toledo 1-1 (0-0 in the MAC)
Toledo got their first win of the season at home against Western Kentucky, and they did it behind the efforts of Ohio State and Kentucky transfer Chip Trayanum. Their star running back had 14 carries for 163 yards and two touchdowns rushing the ball, and added two catches for 13 yards and a third touchdown in the passing game for the 45-21 win. Toledo and the MAC Offensive Player of the Week play Morgan State this coming Saturday.
Akron 0-2 (0-0 in the MAC)
Nothing went right for the Zips as they were hosted by the Huskers in Lincoln, Nebraska. They were 1 of 14 on third down, gained only 175 yards of total offense, and were shut out on offense. The defense was even worse, giving up 68 points and 728 yards of total offense to Nebraska. A road trip to the South is next when they play the Blazers of UAB.
Kent State 1-1 (0-0 in the MAC)
The Golden Flashes took it on the chin today against Texas Tech down in Big 12 country. The Red Raiders demolished Kent State 62-14. It was 55-0 heading into the fourth quarter of this blowout. Freshman quarterback Drue DeShields provided the only silver lining for Kent State with a passing and rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Golden Flashes open MAC Play at home against Buffalo next week.
Dayton 1-1 (0-0 in the Pioneer League)
The Flyers got their first win of the season in a layup game against Division II Thomas More College. Dayton dominated the Saints as was expected with a 38-0 home opening win. Running back Luke Hansen and wide receiver Gavin Lochow led the way for the Flyers. Hansen had 15 carries for 131 yards and two touchdowns rushing the ball, while Lochow had nine catches for 83 yards and two touchdowns in the passing game. The Flyers have this coming week off before wrapping up non-conference play against Stetson on September 20th.
Youngstown State 2-0 (0-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference)
The Youngstown State offense erupted against Robert Morris. The Penguins put up 56 points, 593 yards of total offense, and 642 all-purpose yards. The hero of the game was YSU quarterback Beau Brungard. He was a modest, but solid 12 of 16 for 122 yards and a touchdown passing the ball. Brungard really made his mark in the running game. He had 262 rushing yards, a Missouri Valley Football Conference record for a quarterback, on only 10 carries for four touchdowns! YSU will face their stiffest test of 2025 when they hit the road to take on Michigan State next week.
Writer’s Note: The FBS rankings are from The College Football Power Rankings at TheForkball.com. The FCS rankings are from the FCS STATS Poll.
