Two early special teams plays helped Ohio (3-3, 2-1 MAC) to a 27-20 win over Western Michigan (3-2, 1-1) Saturday afternoon at Peden Stadium. Chris Garrett's school-record 88-yard punt return gave Ohio a 7-0 lead at the 9:13 mark of the first quarter. Western couldn't handle the ensuing kickoff and the Bobcats recovered on the Broncos' 17. Three plays later, Kalvin McRae ran it in from two yards for a 14-0 lead that Ohio would take into halftime.

Following a Matt Lasher 25-yard field goal, Western Michigan would finally get on the board on a 66-yard interception retun of an Austen Everson pass. That cut the Broncos deficit to 17-7 with 6:19 left in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Western answered a Lasher 38-yard field goal with a 1-yard TD reception by Brandon Ledbetter and trailed 20-14.

Following an Ohio punt, the Bobcat defense came up big. Western Michigan drove to the Ohio 16 but the Cats would hold on fourth down with 3:42 left. Austen Everson then took a 2nd-down carry for 72 yards. Three McRae carries later and Ohio led 27-14. WMU added a late score but Ohio recovered an onside kick to end any comeback hopes.

Ohio finished with 257 yards rushing with Kalvin McRae going for 120 yards on 19 carries. The Bobcats end their non-conference schedule with a visit to Illinois next Saturday at 7 PM.