Jan. 3, 2007

Complete Bobcat Travel Journal

MOBILE, Ala. - The Ohio football team had a full slate of activities in its first full day in Mobile for the 2007 GMAC Bowl. Wednesday included a visit to the University of South Alabama Children's Hospital, the team's first practice in Mobile and the annual AMF Bowling Challenge.

The day began with 15 players, staff and the Bobcat cheerleaders visiting the University of South Alabama Children's Hospital. Both Ohio and Southern Miss visited with the children and parents, distributing gifts, taking photos and signing autographs.

"It was touching," said redshirt freshman quarterback Josh Febus. "We realize how fortunate we are when we see some of these kids and knowing they might have an uphill battle that's a lot harder than we have it. We get wrapped up in all the time and preparation it takes, and we take that very seriously, but in the big scheme of things, these kids mean a lot more."

Following the trip to the hospital, the Bobcats boarded the buses and headed to UMS Wright Preparatory School for practice. The workout lasted approximately two hours and was the first of three practices for Ohio in Mobile.

The bowl activities continued on Wednesday evening with the annual AMF Bowling Challenge. The Bobcats and Golden Eagles each fielded teams of 60 bowlers to compete against each other. The winning team will be announced on Thursday with the victorious squad being presented a trophy at the practice. In the previous seven years, the team that has won the bowling challenge champions has gone on to win the bowl game six times.

Senior wide receiver Ahmona Maxwell rolled a 180, the Bobcats' high score in game one.

"Bowling is one of my hobbies when I'm not playing football, and it's a family tradition," Maxwell said. "Whatever we do we always want to play with confidence and go out and have fun. That's what it's all about."

Fans can follow the complete GMAC Bowl experience by clicking on the Bobcat Journal link at the top of the story. The page will be updated each day with photos, videos and all the news about Ohio's first bowl appearance since 1968.

The Bobcats and Golden Eagles kick off on Sunday, Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. ET.