It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win.
The Ohio State Club Football team erased a 14-0 halftime deficit and roared back to a 21-20 victory, extending their home game winning streak to 13, dating back to the start of the 2018 season.
A scoreless first quarter gave way to a 14-0 spurt from Cincinnati United, a team playing their first game in program history. The Bulls opened the scoring with a red zone touchdown pass that was tipped at the goal line, only to fall into the hands of a CU receiver for a score. After a two-point conversion, the Bulls led 8-0. Another touchdown just before the half gave the visitors a two-score lead heading into the break after the Buckeye offense failed to produce any points in the first half for just the second time since 2021.
The Buckeyes however, responded with a touchdown drive to open the second half. A 42-yard scamper by running back JR Burton set up a 13-yard touchdown pass from Niko Pappas to Jalen Haley, cutting the CU lead in half.
After trading punts, the Buckeye defense gave Ohio State the ball back with a fourth and short stop near midfield as linebacker Tyler Beckman made a crucial tackle for loss. Ohio State’s offense then marched 55 yards for a score, capped by a five-yard plunge from senior running back Johnathan Thiele, tying the game at 14 heading into the fourth quarter.
A botched punt set the Buckeyes up with stellar field position and a 15-yard pass from Pappas to Haley set up a one-yard QB sneak by Pappas, giving Ohio State a 21-14 lead.
The Bulls responded with a quick touchdown drive, however were turned away on a two-point conversion attempt to take the lead, preserving a one-point lead for OSU. Ohio State’s offense churned up almost four minutes of clock on the ensuing possession before punting back to the Bulls with two minutes left. The Buckeye defense responded with back-to-back sacks before a Marcellus McLellan interception iced the game for the Buckeyes.
Offensively, Ohio State struggled to move the ball through the air, completing 12-of-20 passes for just 90 yards. However, Pappas converted a number of key third downs with his feet, contributing 45 rushing yards on 10 carries. Burton led all Buckeyes in rushing yards with 76 while Thiele chipped in 51 yards. The Buckeye offense did not commit any turnovers, while the Ohio State defense forced and recovered a fumble in addition to McLellan’s game-sealing interception.
Notes:
- The 14-point comeback tied the biggest comeback since 2019, when Ohio State came back from a 14-0 deficit to defeat Columbus State in the NCFA Semifinals, 17-14.
- Ohio State last loss a home game in 2017 to Miami (OH). The Buckeyes extended their home winning streak to 13 games with the win over Cincinnati United.
- Ohio State moves to 10-2 in season openers dating back to 2012. The only two losses came to Wright State (2014) and Mount Union JV (2021).
- The one-point win was the closest margin of victory for Ohio State since a 29-28 home win over George Mason in 2021.
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