OHIO — It isn't often that an entire weekend of Ohio sports goes exactly the way fans would hope. But from Cincinnati to Cleveland to Columbus, the teams covered by Ohio Sports Hub put together a remarkable two days, winning all eight contests they played.
And these weren't just ordinary victories. There was a historic college football upset, two NFL comebacks, a pair of crucial MLS wins, an overtime hockey thriller, and victories on the basketball court.
The weekend got off to an incredible start Saturday afternoon when the Cincinnati Bearcats stunned No. 8 Texas Tech, 37-24, at Nippert Stadium. Running back Cole Tabb rushed for 173 yards, quarterback JC French IV threw four touchdown passes, and Cincinnati handed the previously undefeated Red Raiders their first loss of the season. It was the Bearcats' first home victory over a top-10 opponent since 2006.
Meanwhile, the Columbus Crew kept their postseason hopes alive with a 4-2 victory over Toronto FC. Malte Amundsen scored twice as Columbus built a 4-0 lead before holding off a late Toronto rally. Later that evening, FC Cincinnati earned its second victory over D.C. United in four days with a 2-0 road win, getting goals from Evander and Tom Barlow. Both Ohio MLS clubs desperately needed the points, and both delivered.
The Cleveland Cavaliers joined the party Saturday night, earning their first victory of the new NBA season with a 125-121 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Cleveland nearly squandered another big lead after its collapse against Philadelphia earlier in the week, but the Cavaliers held on to avoid an 0-2 start.
And in Columbus, the Blue Jackets provided perhaps the most dramatic finish of Saturday's action. Adam Fantilli scored a power-play goal just 59 seconds into overtime, lifting Columbus to a 2-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights and snapping a two-game losing streak.
If Saturday was impressive, Sunday provided even more excitement.
The Cincinnati Bengals looked completely overmatched against Baltimore, trailing 13-0 at halftime after managing just 59 yards of offense. But Joe Burrow threw four second-half touchdown passes as Cincinnati scored 35 unanswered points to stun the Ravens, 35-13, in one of the most remarkable turnarounds of the NFL season.
The Cleveland Browns apparently didn't want to be outdone. After falling behind Tennessee 14-0, Cleveland rallied to take the lead, only to see the Titans tie the game with 58 seconds remaining. Deshaun Watson led one final drive, and Andre Szmyt drilled a 32-yard field goal as time expired to give the Browns a 27-24 victory. It was Cleveland's second consecutive win on a last-second Szmyt field goal.
Ohio State men's basketball added another victory Sunday afternoon, defeating Butler 82-73 in its final preseason exhibition. Amare Bynum led the Buckeyes with 23 points, while the afternoon also featured a halftime tribute to former Ohio State coach Thad Matta.
All told, the eight Ohio Sports Hub teams competing over the weekend finished with eight wins and zero losses.
Not every victory was pretty. But winning is. And for one weekend, Ohio sports fans had plenty to celebrate.
