Following the Bobcats' third straight drilling over Miami (Ohio) on Friday, the Ohio football team culminated a 2008 season that may be best described as a roller coaster even the best of amusement parks couldn't match.

Following the Bobcats' third straight drilling over Miami (Ohio) on Friday, the Ohio football team culminated a 2008 season that may be best described as a roller coaster even the best of amusement parks couldn't match.

As the leaves turned around Peden Stadium, many looked at a daunting schedule with pessimism. Six of Ohio's first eight games were on the road, including trips to Big 10 foes Ohio State and Northwestern. The schedule featured just five home games, with one of them — the cold and wet Akron game on Nov. 22 — played in a nearly empty stadium with the student body already on winter break.

That tough slate began with a drive to Wyoming where for the second straight year the Bobcats fell to Wyoming by a point, 21-20.

"It was a game filled with opportunities for us, I think, from all aspects of it, whether you look at special teams, defense (or) offense," head coach Frank Solich said at the time. "There are a lot of good signs coming off of this ballgame, but what a tough loss for these guys for an opening game."

Week 2 saw yet another tough loss, this time against then-third-ranked Ohio State. For the second straight week, the Bobcats held a lead at halftime, and for the second straight week, turnovers did in the 'Cats. Two interceptions and muffed punt return over the final 16 minutes resulted in a 26-14 win for the Buckeyes.

For many, though, a 14-12 fourth-quarter lead at The Horseshoe against a top-flight Buckeye squad was stunning in itself, and created a sense of Bobcat pride throughout the state of Ohio.

One week later Ohio suffered a 31-28 loss to defending MAC champion Central Michigan thanks to more turnovers. In his first start since replacing quarterback Theo Scott, Boo Jackson fumbled twice in the last four minutes — one of them at the Chippewas' one-yard line — to seal Ohio's 0-3 fate.

The 'Cats would fall to 0-4 for the first time in six years in a loss at Northwestern. Nothing went right for the Green and White as Ohio failed on three field-goal tries despite forcing five Wildcat turnovers.

A little home cooking was in order as the 'Cats returned to Peden with Football Championship Series foe VMI in a 51-31 win. The 'Cats led by just seven at the break against a team that finished just 4-7 this year, but Ohio pulled away for the last 17 points of the game.

Week 6 brought the Bobcats back to the road and reality in a 41-20 blowout loss at Western Michigan. Ohio continued its trend of committing turnovers with three and tacked on 98 penalty yards for good measure.

"I don't what it was today," Jackson said after the loss. "Some of the guys — maybe it was the injuries that took us out of the game… I just don't think our whole team was in the right mindset to play this game today."

Ohio picked up its first win against a Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1-A) opponent to improve to 2-5 the following week on four field goals from kicker Barrett Way. The 26-19 win over Kent State only brought temporary joy, however, as leading rusher Donte Harden underwent season-ending shoulder surgery the following Tuesday as the injuries continued to mount.

The 'Cats immediately realized how much they missed Harden, losing 14-10 at Temple in a game in which they led throughout. Ohio netted just 40 rushing yards on 29 carries in the loss.

Another Tuesday night nationally televised contest resulted in yet another ugly loss as Ohio fell to 2-7 to Buffalo, 32-19. You name it, the 'Cats did it — six fumbles, missed field goals and extra points, seven penalties — as Halloween appeared to arrive three days early for Solich and company.

 "It was just an absolute nightmare," Solich said afterward.

Playing for merely pride, Ohio failed to show up in a 28-3 loss to Bowling Green in week 10. Ohio was held out of the end zone for the first time in three years.

"It was a poor effort from every aspect," said linebacker Noah Keller. "It's just a big disappointment."

Ohio bounced back from that lousy game on Senior Day against Akron. The 19 departing Bobcats were able to cheer for one of the few times all season in a wild 49-42 win over Akron. Fittingly, senior tight-end David Carter caught the game-winning ball from Jackson with just 38 ticks remaining as Ohio improved to 3-8.

"That's every quarterback's dream to drive your team down the field for the game-winning touchdown and actually throw the game-winning pass," Jackson said.

Looking for their first winning streak of the season and more importantly a rivalry win and momentum heading into 2009, Ohio delivered the day after Thanksgiving with a 41-26 win over the Redhawks.

"We came together as a team," senior safety Michael Mitchell said. "It's unfortunate that we waited to the last two games to play this well."