The Week 1 opener against the top-two teams in the National Club Football Association went the way of the visitors as top-ranked Ohio State overcame a slow start to dominate No. 2 George Mason, 40-3, on Saturday afternoon.
Senior quarterback Niko Pappas put together a record day, accounting for five rushing touchdowns against the Patriots. The five rushing scores broke former quarterback Kellyn Gerenstein’s record of four, a number he hit twice – against Wright State in 2021 and against George Mason in 2022. Pappas carried 17 times for 102 yards and completed 14-of-22 passes for 163 yards to five different receivers.
Defensively, Ohio State was dominant, surrendering just three points to a George Mason offense that featured four preseason NCFA All-Americans. The Patriots lone points came on a 26-yard field goal in the second quarter following a long kick return by George Mason veteran Curtis Brooks. Ohio State led 26-3 at halftime and tacked on two third-quarter touchdowns leading to a running clock in the fourth quarter.
Despite the large margin of victory, Ohio State did not start fast. The games opening snap went over the head of Pappas, and was recovered by George Mason in Ohio State territory. The Buckeye defense immediately stiffened, as junior safety Keegan Lynch made a diving interception on the Patriots’ second play from scrimmage.
From there, both teams struggled to find much of an offensive rhythm as both teams traded punts for the majority of the first quarter. Ohio State opened the scoring early in the second quarter as junior running back Ethan Young found the end zone from eight yards out to put the Buckeyes up 6-0, prior to a missed extra point.
The Patriots muffed the ensuing kickoff, which Ohio State recovered inside the George Mason 20-yard line. Despite a pair of Buckeye penalties, The Buckeyes found the end zone on a 14-yard scamper by Pappas to take a 13-0 lead. The lead expanded to 20-0 on a two-yard Pappas touchdown run before the Patriots recorded their only three points on the following series.
Pappas’ third rushing touchdown of the first half came with under 30 seconds to play in the second quarter, when the signal caller took a designed QB draw 14 yards for the score. After a second missed extra point, the Buckeyes took a 26-3 lead into the break. Pappas scored twice more in the third before his day was done.
Defensively, the Buckeyes were led by freshman linebacker Tyler Siegel, who led the team in tackles with nine, including two for loss, adding a fumble recovery. Fellow freshman Tommy Roberts also stood out, posting five tackles while forcing and recovering a pair of fumbles as a gunner on special teams. Roberts also recorded a pass breakup from his cornerback position.
Ohio State’s defense and special teams forced four turnovers and stole a possession out of halftime with a surprise designed pooch kick that was recovered by wide receiver Desean Bonte. A do-it-all player, Bonte pulled in a pair of receptions for 39 yards while also starting at corner and collecting a solo tackle on defense.
Up front, the Buckeye defense created four sacks with senior Trey Jones and sophomore Elijah Lowden each posting 1.5 sacks while safety Topaz Linton collected the other while also tallying six solo tackles. Jones now ranks second all-time in program history in career sacks with 19.5, passing Chase Gasser who posted 19 from 2017-19.
Other notable performances included tight end Tommy Delaney who led the team in receiving with four receptions for 61 yards and also recorded a solo tackle playing as a reserve defensive lineman. Wide receiver Ricardo Washington hauled in three catches for 39 yards and Charlie Harlow collected four catches for 33 yards including a crucial fourth down conversion in the second half.
Ohio State is now 8-0 all time against George Mason, including 3-0 all-time at RAC Field. The Buckeyes are set to return to action at home against Michigan State on Sunday, Sept. 28 at Noon at Lincoln Tower Park.
(Header photo credit: George Mason Club Sports)
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