Bobcats outslug Minutemen

ATHENS, Ohio — Nathan Rourke threw for three touchdowns and ran for another and Ohio recovered from an early 14-point deficit to beat UMass, 58-42, yesterday.

Rourke had

270 yards passing for the Bobcats (2-2) and led the ground attack, rushing for 189 yards on 16 carries. Maleek Iron ran for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

The Minutemen (2-4) were led by wideout Andy Isabella, who caught 12 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Andrew Ford finished with 355 yards and four touchdowns passing, while Ross Comis was 3-for-5 with 55 yards and one touchdown as the visitors piled up 410 passing yards. Ohio trailed 14-0 early in the first quarter when Rourke hit Papi White for a 19-yard touchdown. Rourke ran for another score late in the first and, in the second quarter, and threw 12- and 14-yard TD passes to White and A.J. Ouellette, respectively, to put the Bobcats ahead 3528 at halftime.

Ohio led throughout the second half and Javon Hagan intercepted Ford late in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

The Minutemen scored twice in the game’s first four minutes on a Ford pass to Isabella, followed by a 55-yard interception return by Isaiah Rodgers, who finished with 13 tackles. Bryton Barr eclipsed double-digits as well with 11 stops. Sadiq Palmer also had a big day receiving, with six catches for 98 yards and a score.