Ohio got off to a blistering start against Buffalo on Saturday, scoring three touchdowns and ending the first quarter with a commanding 21-0 lead. It’s just the kind of start the Bobcats needed as they’ve begun the season at 1-5, and the offensive explosion was highlighted by a record-setting 99-yard touchdown run by quarterback Armani Rogers.
After the Ohio defense came up with a stop on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Rogers led the Bobcats offense onto the field and set up from shotgun about 5 yards back in his own end zone. After a quick hitch to set up the quarterback draw, Rogers began navigating his way through Ohio blockers.
The left side of Ohio’s offensive line did a fantastic job of sealing the edge, and soon Rogers had about 20 yards of free space to take off. Once Rogers hit the sideline, he got even more help from his wide receiver with a downfield block that continued all the way until the 30-yard line. It was a foot race all the way to the end zone from there.
The 99-yard run is the longest rushing touchdown by a quarterback in NCAA history and gives both Rogers and Ohio something to build on as the Bobcats look to turn things around in the second half of the season. According to ESPN Stats & Info, the previous record was held by Arizona State’s Mark Malone who ran a score in from 98 yards against Utah State in 1979.
