Parker Navarro

Parker Navarro's Biography

The Ohio University Bobcats football team is set to compete as representatives in the Mid-American Conference for the upcoming 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Renowned for their raw talent and impeccable skill, this team is led into their 2024 season by their esteemed Head Coach, Tim Albin, pursuing his fourth year in the post. Taking on rival teams on their home turf at Peden Stadium, Athens, Ohio, the Bobcats are fuelled with motivation to mark this season as successful as their past seasons.

Determined to uphold their commendable track record, the Bobcats stride into the new season following a thriving conclusion to their previous season. The team boasts of an impressive 10-win streak, recorded consecutively for the second time in the 2023 season. This achievement marks an enormous milestone in Ohio University’s sports history, being the first football team to succeed with back-to-back 10-win seasons.

Post the 2023 season, Ohio triumphed over Georgia Southern at the prestigious Myrtle Beach Bowl, bagging their powerful fifth consecutive win in the Bowl. However, the glorious winning streak was laced with disappointments as 12 pivotal players were lost in the transfer portal during the following off-season. The migrated players were welcomed by power conference programs. This severe blow includes the transfer of starting quarterback and 2022 MAC Player of the Year recipient, Kurtis Rourke, to Indiana.

Nevertheless, despite being ranked 133 amongst 134 FBS teams in terms of returning production by SP+ rankings, Ohio’s fighting spirit continues to persevere. The team has been rejuvenated with fresh faces as the Bobcats appended 58 newcomers to their roster palette, comprising transfers and promising freshman recruits. The returning veterans of the team are quarterback Parker Navarro and running back Ricky Hunt. Both players marked their first early start in the past season’s bowl game, stepping in for departed players. Their significant role in the victory showcased their talent and capabilities, Navarro with 11 completions from 16 attempts, and Hunt tying the record for touchdowns in bowl games.

Looking back at their performance in the season opener against Syracuse, Anthony Tyus III managed to rack in an impressive 203 yards, contributing to the Bobcats’ strides. Despite this, they were unable to hinder Kyle McCord’s 354-yard pass, eventually culminating in a 38-22 loss in the JMA Wireless Dome.

The non-conference phase also witnessed ups and downs. Ohio celebrated a well-deserved victory against South Alabama under Navarro’s talent for both rushing and passing, despite their struggle against Morgan State due to the turnovers. Soon after, Ohio was dealt a tough loss against a formidable Kentucky team, thereby concluding the non-conference phase with equal wins and losses.

Entering into the MAC conference schedules, the team’s performance seemed to regain momentum with their spectacular homecoming win over Akron. Navarro performed brilliantly, racking up two touchdowns and racing for another. Their winning spree continued following a close call with Central Michigan, leading to another victory. Unfortunately, Ohio later succumbed to Miami’s defense, giving way to a harsh loss at the 100th Battle of the Bricks. The tables turned yet again when they made an unstoppable comeback against Buffalo, registering a triumphant 47-16 win led by Coleman Owen’s three touchdowns, Shay Taylor’s pick-six, and Kadin Schmitz’s pick-two.

The preseason coaches poll held by MAC on July 19 set Ohio as the fifth probable conference finisher, receiving no votes for a MAC Championship win. However, reflecting back on their performance and persevering spirit, Ohio’s journey in the upcoming season promises to be an interesting and thrilling one, regardless of past hurdles. From the season’s tale, one can surmise that there is a fervent spirit running through the Bobcats’ veins, the spirit of giving everything but giving up.