Following Ohio’s 33-25 loss to Kent State Saturday, Frank Solich termed his team’s lack of discipline the best way he knew how — a nightmare.

The Bobcats (2-3, 0-1 Mid-American Conference) were called for 16 penalties in their MAC opener, costing them 155 yards — six shy of a school record — and countless opportunities to gain a first down or limit the Golden Flashes’ high-octane offense from moving the chains.

“I’ve never been associated with a game in my career where we’ve been penalized (16) times,” Solich said. “Give me a break. You’re not going to get anything done with that.”

While Kent State (3-2, 1-1 MAC) was just as sloppy with 12 penalties for 110 yards, it was Ohio who repeatedly jumped offside on third down, roughed the kicker and took seven holding penalties, robbing itself of any rhythm on either side of the ball.

“We’re just not playing smart,” said safety Michael Mitchell, who registered 12 total tackles. “We get ourselves in third downs and then someone wants to hit them late or make a stupid penalty and keep their drive going. You just can’t do that. You can’t make those bonehead plays.”

The Bobcats’ lack of discipline compounded to give Kent State’s offense the chance to build a 17-10 lead by halftime. Perhaps more damaging, however, was that Ohio allowed Golden Flashes running back Eugene Jarvis to eclipse 100 yards for the fifth straight game in just over 10 minutes.

Jarvis ripped through the Ohio defense, rushing for a career-high 230 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 7.7 yards per carry. For his second touchdown, Jarvis eluded four Ohio defenders to break free for a 42-yard run in the third quarter that put Kent State up 27-10.

It was the second straight week that the Bobcats’ tacklers were ineffective when chasing down their opponent’s slippery running back.

“They weren’t confusing us out there; (they were) just hitting little open gaps,” said safety Todd Koenig, who had 11 totaltackles. “It wasn’t until the second half that we really started tackling the way we should. We were a little flat and not flying around like we could have been.”

Ohio attempted to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 points off two touchdown passes and a two-point conversion, all of which came from quarterback Theo Scott connecting with tight end •Andrew Mooney, who had 43 yards on 4 receptions.

Scott went 16-of-24 for 161 yards and threw Ohio’s only touchdowns after he replaced starter Brad Bower with just under six minutes remaining in the third quarter. Bower, who had several passes dropped by receivers, went 6-of-16 for 110 yards.

And despite struggling for the second straight week, the Bobcats aren’t ready to panic about their 2-3 record, which is the same one they had a season ago after dropping their MAC home opener.

“We’ve still got a lot of possibilities,” Mooney said. “One game in this conference doesn’t kill you. If we lose another one, then we might be in some trouble.”

Odds and ends

Wide receiver Matt Donahue exited the game because of a left hand injury and did not return in the second half … Center Tommy Stuck went off in the third quarter with what appeared to be a right arm injury … David White started at left guard and Mike Eynon saw playing time for the first time since the season opener against Gardner-Webb … Linebacker Jordan Meyers played in the fourth quarter after getting banged up against Wyoming and not participating in practice this past week.