Parker Navarro does it all for Ohio University
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Staff Reports, Staff reports
- August 29, 2025
Parker Navarro shines in near upset
Considering what Parker Navarro did last season while leading Ohio to the MAC title, nobody should have been surprised by his performance Thursday night. The 6-foot, 211-pounder torched Rutgers with his arm and legs in a 34-31 loss at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, N.J.
The graduate student from Tempe, Arizona, showed the skills that made him the All-MAC Second Team quarterback in 2024. After falling behind 31-14 late in the second quarter, Navarro led the Bobcats to 17 unanswered points. The dual-threat quarterback kept Rutgers guessing with his ability to run.
Navarro, whose father Joel Navarro played defensive line for New Mexico State in 1990, completed 21 of 31 passing attempts for 239 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown on nine carries to finish with a 93.8 quarterback rating.
Parker Navarro had a 17-yard touchdown run to help Ohio cut the deficit to 31-24 with 11:10 to play in the third quarter. Then threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jake Bruno with 4:07 to play in the third quarter, tying the score at 31 after the PAT.
Parker Navarro leads MAC
Parker Navarro led Latinos in college football during the first night of Week 1 of the college football season.
“I’m definitely proud of how our guys fought, and the character they have, the trust and belief they have in each other,” Ohio head coach Brian Smith told reporters in New Jersey. “It shows a lot of brightness for the future.”
Navarro established himself as one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in college football last season. He passed for 2,423 yards and 13 touchdowns while completing 195 of 295 passes in 2024. He also rushed for 18 touchdowns and 1,054 yards on 160 carries.
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After earning MAC Offensive Player of the Week honors four times last season, Navarro has started the 2025 season with a performance worthy of Player of the Week honors.
How other Latinos fared Thursday night in college football
Freshman Zane Flores came off the bench for Oklahoma State against UT Martin. He completed 13 of 20 passes for 136 yards in the 27-7 victory. Fresno State receiver Brandon Ramirez had two catches for 11 yards in a 31-7 loss against Kansas.
Missouri linebacker Nicholas Rodriguez had four tackles (two solo) in the 61-6 rout over Central Arkansas. The 6-foot, 211-pound sophomore from Miami had 1.5 tackles for a loss.
San Diego State kicker Gabriel Plascencia made two field goals and three PATs in a 42-0 rout. The Mountain West’s preseason Specialist of the Year hit a 42-yard field goal. Junior receiver Nathan Acevedo had two catches for 22 yards for the Aztecs.
Houston kicker Ethan Sanchez was 2-for-2 on field goal tries with a long of 43 yards. He added three PATs in the 27-0 victory over Stephen F Austin.
Elon quarterback Marco Lainez made his debut off the bench for the Phoenix in a 45-17 loss against Duke. The sophomore transfer from Iowa completed one of two passes for 11 yards.
Featured art courtesy of Ohio Football.
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