The Ohio Bobcats emerged victorious over the Wyoming Cowboys in this evening’s Inaugural Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl by a final score of 30-27. The win moves the Bobcats to 10-4 on the season, while the Cowboys drop to 7-6.
The Cowboys were first on the board thanks to a 17-yard touchdown rush by redshirt freshman running back Jordon Vaugh, putting Wyoming up 7-0 just before the 10 minute mark of the game’s opening quarter.
Ohio came back with a score of their own about two minutes later, as redshirt sophomore quarterback CJ Harris connected with junior wide receiver Jacoby Jones for a 34-yard bomb. After capitalizing on the two-point conversion, the Bobcats held an 8-7 lead.
UW regained the advantage later in the quarter, scoring on a one-play drive after a Bobcat muffed punt set them up in the redzone. Junior quarterback Andrew Peasley found fellow junior and tight end Treyton Welch for a 17-yard score to take a 14-8 after a successful PAT from sophomore kicker John Hoyland with just under four minutes remaining in the first.
Ohio brought themselves within three early in the second, as freshman kicker Nathaniel Vakos split the uprights from 43 yards out, trimming the Cowboys’ lead to 14-11 with 13:28 to go until halftime. Wyoming would respond with a field goal of their own just before the time expired in the frame, as Hoyland put home a 53-yarder to extend the Wyoming advantage to 17-11 heading into the locker room.
The Bobcats gathered the momentum at the break and were first to score in half number two. Redshirt freshman running back Sieh Bangura found a hole and broke free for a 40-yard gain, setting OU up at the Wyoming three yard line. Bangura found the endzone on the next play, and Ohio regained the edge thanks to a successful Vakos PAT.
The Cowboys would not give in, however, and caused the game’s fourth lead change with 2:08 left to play. Wyoming put together a six play, 75-yard possession capped off by a 5-yard touchdown scurry from Jordon Vaugh. Following Hoyland’s good PAT, UW held a 24-21 lead.
However, the game would prove to be far from over. Ohio knotted things up with just four seconds left thanks once again to the leg of Vakos, keeping the Bobcats alive by splitting the uprights, this time from 56, to send the game to overtime.
After winning the overtime coin toss, Ohio elected to open extra play on defense. Wyoming put together a few plays, resulting in a gain of 14 yards, but stalled on third down and brought out Hoyland. The sophomore’s kick was good once again, giving the Pokes a slim 27-24 lead.
Needing at least a field goal to keep the game going, Ohio answered the call and began their possession with a gain of nine right away. OU moved the chains on the next play, but did not muster much else on its next snap, and faced a critical third down and eight.
Harris dropped back and looked left, giving a hard pump fake to the screen option before throwing one up to the back of the endzone for redshirt junior tight end Tyler Foster, who secured the ball and got a foot down to seal things in favor of the Bobcats.
For Ohio, CJ Harris finished going 20-33 with 184 yards and a pair of touchdowns, as well as a passer rating of 127.4. Sieh Bangura had an emphatic night, rushing 25 times for 138 yards and a touchdown. Jacoby Jones had the big night for the Ohio receivers, finishing the game with three catches, 44 yards, and a score.
As for Wyoming, Andrew Peasley finished the night 18-30 with 186 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and a passer rating of 116.4. On the ground, Jordon Vaughn dashed 16 times for 67 yards and two scores, while Treyton Welch led the receiving efforts with five catches, 91 yards, and a touchdown of his own.