Jacksonville State football’s magical season will end on a sour note after a Cure Bowl loss to Ohio.

The Gamecocks’ (9-5) season ended with a 30-27 loss to the Bobcats (11-3) on Friday in Orlando, Florida. Ohio quarterback Parker Navarro scored the first of three touchdowns for the Bobcats, while the Gamecocks just managed a 75-yard touchdown from Tyler Huff to Cam Vaughn in the first half. Navarro found Anthony Tyus III to cap off an impressive first half for the Bobcats.

The Gamecocks scored in the third quarter on a run by Huff and in the fourth on a run by Tre Stewart. With just over three minutes left, Stewart scored to bring the game to three points, but the defense couldn’t come up with a final stop to get the ball back.

Jax State’s running game stalled in the first half

For truly the first time this year, the Jax State Run Game has been shut down. The Gamecocks managed a negative 39 yards on the ground in the first half. If you take the three sacks out of the equation, they were still negative in rushing yards. Huff was sacked three times for 17 yards and managed just six yards on four carries in the first half. Meanwhile, Stewart had to rush for eight yards on eight carries in the first half.

The Gamecocks managed more than 112 yards in every game, but were way off the pace in the bowl game.

Exploited gaps in Jax State’s defense

The Gamecocks were missing two keys on defense with Zechariah Poyser and Reginald Hughes in goal and heading to new schools. Ohio’s defense ran for 183 yards against the Gamecocks, with Anthony Tyus III and Parker Navarro each rushing for more than 90 yards. Navarro was also able to throw the Gamecocks’ second ball through the air for 144 yards.

The Gamecocks struggled in the second half, allowing just one field goal and 136 total yards.

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Hello, Jarod Bowie

The Gamecocks’ offense has been the Tyler Huff and Tre Stewart show for most of the season, but a new name shined in Friday’s bowl game. Jarod Bowie, a redshirt junior, made big plays when the Gamecocks needed it. Bowie recorded 19 rushing yards and caught four passes for 105 yards.

Bowie is in his second year with the Gamecocks after beginning his college career at Concord. He played in all 13 games but had only nine catches this year through Friday.

This article originally appeared in the Gadsden Times: Jacksonville State football falls to Ohio in Cure Bowl