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University of Massachusets Athletics
Saturday, September 30
Amherst, Mass. (McGuirk Alumni Stadium)
3:30 p.m.
University of Massachusetts
50
vs
58
Ohio
Photo by: Thom Kendall - UMass Athletics
Massachusetts Football Undone By Ohio, 58-50
September 30, 2017 | Football
Minutemen post most points of FBS era, compile 550 total yards of offense in loss to Bobcats
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts football put forth an offensive show of force against the Ohio Bobcats, but were unable to slow Ohio's second half attack in a 58-50 defeat at McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Saturday evening. UMass quarterback Andrew Ford tied the program record with five touchdown passes and threw for a career-high 390 yards in the loss.
Tight end Adam Breneman was Ford's top target, to the tune of 12 receptions covering 131 yards and two scores. Brennon Dingle also had two touchdowns – the first of his collegiate career – among four receptions for 59 yards.
Running back Marquis Young had a game-high 219 all-purpose yards, with 129 on kickoff returns, 56 rushing and 34 receiving. Young added his first touchdown catch on a 19-yard reception.
Steve Casali led the UMass defense with nine tackles, including a two-yard TFL. Jarell Addo provided seven stops while Bryton Barr had 1.5 TFLs among six total stops, including a 12-yard sack. Jesse Monteiro also made six tackles and had 1.5 TFLs.
The offensive display began immediately as the teams put points on the board during the opening three drives, to the tune of a 10-7 UMass lead. Logan Laurent converted a 24-yard field goal and Ross Comis scored on a two-yard QB-keeper sandwiched around a Rourke five-yard run.
Massachusetts padded its lead to 13-7 early in the second half on Laurent's second made field goal of the game as he capped an 11-play, 60-yard drive with a field goal from 35 yards out.
The Bobcats slipped in front, 24-13, following three consecutive scoring drives. Rourke put the Bobcats ahead, 14-13 with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Brendan Cope and followed with a 17-yard touchdown run on the next Ohio drive. Following a UMass turnover, Louie Zervos split the uprights from 25 yards away for the 11-point margin.
Massachusetts rallied with back-to-back touchdown series as the seesaw battle continued.
Young sprinted 81 yards down the left sideline on a kick return a set Massachusetts up at the Ohio six yard line for the first of those two drives. One play later, Ford hit Breneman for the score and the Minutemen climbed back within 24-20 of Ohio. Ford manufactured a seven-play, 71-yard drive for the second score, which Dingle secured via a 30-yard endzone catch.
Ohio evened the score at 27-all entering halftime with Zervos' second made kick of the game.
The Bobcats built a two-score lead following the break, guided by A.J. Ouellette, who finished with 125 yards rushing on 12 carries and 26 yards receiving over three grabs. Ouellette made it 41-27 Ohio with back-to-back third quarter touchdowns on a five-yard run and 12-yard catch.
Ohio extended its lead to 48-29 before Massachusetts twice pulled within one score of tying.
Down, 51-35, with under four minutes to play, Ford threaded a seven-yard pass to Brenemen in the endzone to bring Massachusetts back within 51-43 of Ohio. After the Bobcats responded with a 42-yard Dorian Brown touchdown run to jump the lead back to 15 points, Ford used his fifth touchdown pass of the day to make it an eight-point game.
With time running down and the Minutemen on the Ohio 16-yard line, Ford lofted a right-corner endzone pass to Dingle, who caught it in-stride over his shoulder and held possession while he was knocked to the ground for Dingle's second TD of the game.
Back within 58-50, Massachusetts was unable to recover the on-side kick and Ohio capped the game with a kneel-down.
The Minutemen enter back-to-back bye weeks following the Sat., Sept. 30 contest against Ohio. Massachusetts plays next at McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Sat., Oct. 21 against Georgia Southern at 3:30 p.m. The game pits UMass against the squad it defeated, 55-43, in 1998 for the NCAA Division I-AA (FCS) National Championship.
Single game tickets – including those for the Fenway Gridiron Series – are available for purchase now. Tickets to the remaining McGuirk Alumni Stadium games are available over the phone by dialing 866-UMASS-TIX, in-person at the Mullins Center Box Office during business hours or online here. All Fenway Gridiron Series tickets must be purchased here. For more information, please visit the UMass Football Ticket Information page.
Follow Massachusetts football on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@UMassFootball).
Tight end Adam Breneman was Ford's top target, to the tune of 12 receptions covering 131 yards and two scores. Brennon Dingle also had two touchdowns – the first of his collegiate career – among four receptions for 59 yards.
Running back Marquis Young had a game-high 219 all-purpose yards, with 129 on kickoff returns, 56 rushing and 34 receiving. Young added his first touchdown catch on a 19-yard reception.
Steve Casali led the UMass defense with nine tackles, including a two-yard TFL. Jarell Addo provided seven stops while Bryton Barr had 1.5 TFLs among six total stops, including a 12-yard sack. Jesse Monteiro also made six tackles and had 1.5 TFLs.
The offensive display began immediately as the teams put points on the board during the opening three drives, to the tune of a 10-7 UMass lead. Logan Laurent converted a 24-yard field goal and Ross Comis scored on a two-yard QB-keeper sandwiched around a Rourke five-yard run.
Massachusetts padded its lead to 13-7 early in the second half on Laurent's second made field goal of the game as he capped an 11-play, 60-yard drive with a field goal from 35 yards out.
The Bobcats slipped in front, 24-13, following three consecutive scoring drives. Rourke put the Bobcats ahead, 14-13 with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Brendan Cope and followed with a 17-yard touchdown run on the next Ohio drive. Following a UMass turnover, Louie Zervos split the uprights from 25 yards away for the 11-point margin.
Massachusetts rallied with back-to-back touchdown series as the seesaw battle continued.
Young sprinted 81 yards down the left sideline on a kick return a set Massachusetts up at the Ohio six yard line for the first of those two drives. One play later, Ford hit Breneman for the score and the Minutemen climbed back within 24-20 of Ohio. Ford manufactured a seven-play, 71-yard drive for the second score, which Dingle secured via a 30-yard endzone catch.
Ohio evened the score at 27-all entering halftime with Zervos' second made kick of the game.
The Bobcats built a two-score lead following the break, guided by A.J. Ouellette, who finished with 125 yards rushing on 12 carries and 26 yards receiving over three grabs. Ouellette made it 41-27 Ohio with back-to-back third quarter touchdowns on a five-yard run and 12-yard catch.
Ohio extended its lead to 48-29 before Massachusetts twice pulled within one score of tying.
Down, 51-35, with under four minutes to play, Ford threaded a seven-yard pass to Brenemen in the endzone to bring Massachusetts back within 51-43 of Ohio. After the Bobcats responded with a 42-yard Dorian Brown touchdown run to jump the lead back to 15 points, Ford used his fifth touchdown pass of the day to make it an eight-point game.
With time running down and the Minutemen on the Ohio 16-yard line, Ford lofted a right-corner endzone pass to Dingle, who caught it in-stride over his shoulder and held possession while he was knocked to the ground for Dingle's second TD of the game.
Back within 58-50, Massachusetts was unable to recover the on-side kick and Ohio capped the game with a kneel-down.
The Minutemen enter back-to-back bye weeks following the Sat., Sept. 30 contest against Ohio. Massachusetts plays next at McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Sat., Oct. 21 against Georgia Southern at 3:30 p.m. The game pits UMass against the squad it defeated, 55-43, in 1998 for the NCAA Division I-AA (FCS) National Championship.
Single game tickets – including those for the Fenway Gridiron Series – are available for purchase now. Tickets to the remaining McGuirk Alumni Stadium games are available over the phone by dialing 866-UMASS-TIX, in-person at the Mullins Center Box Office during business hours or online here. All Fenway Gridiron Series tickets must be purchased here. For more information, please visit the UMass Football Ticket Information page.
Follow Massachusetts football on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@UMassFootball).
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