OU grads show Bobcat pride and rally at Combustion Brewery ahead of Ohio State showdown

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) -- More than a hundred Bobcat alumni gathered at Combustion Brewery in Pickerington Friday night for a Bobcat Bash ahead of the Ohio showdown at the Shoe.

There are a large number of Ohio University grads who were born and raised here in central Ohio. They wear Scarlet and Gray every weekend, except for Saturday when OU plays Ohio State.

Many said they don’t believe the Bobcats will beat the Buckeyes, but they are showing up to the game Saturday in green.

“Might be the only time I’m rooting against Ohio State in the Shoe,” said OU grad Patrick Meyer.

“We’re rooting for the Bobcats,” said Keith Jackson, co-owner of Combustion and OU alum.

“Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat,” said Sarah Jackson, the other co-owner and OU grad.

The Jacksons said they were approached by the Central Ohio Alumni Network to host a Bobcat Bash.

“We’ve always wanted to do a big alumni event here, so we were all on board, very excited about it,” said Sarah.

Ohio University graduates of all ages were at Combustion to celebrate their alma mater’s impending showdown with the Bucks. Some alumni are split on who they want to win.

“I’m an OU alum, but I am rooting for the Buckeyes,” said Meg Heischman. “I grew up here, and I don't want them to ruin their chances for a national championship.”

“Most of the year, you are Ohio State fans. It's kind of like the home team. But being OU alumni and having both of our kids, our daughters here, and so, yeah, definitely going for OU tomorrow,” said Patrick Meyer.

The fans are confident this Ohio matchup is going to be a great time for everyone.

“I think OU fans are just fun to be around, so I think the combination of OU fans and OSU fans. Obviously, we’re fans of both, but we’ve got to go OU, oh yeah, tomorrow,” said Anna Meyer, another OU graduate.

“I think it’ll be fun. I think everybody will get along. It's not going to be like Michigan, where there's some hatred. So I think it'll be a good atmosphere, fun atmosphere,” said Jon Heischman, who went to Ohio State.

Some fans are watching for a repeat of the infamous Rufus Bobcat versus Brutus Buckeye brawl 15 years ago.

“Honestly, we're talking about Rufus and Brutus quite a bit just because of what happened last time,” said current OU student Maddie Meyer. “We don’t think Rufus is going to, you know, do it again. But we think it'd be really funny if he did.”

People at Combustion said they expect to see a good mix of red and green at the Shoe Saturday. Some are even wearing a little bit of both colors to show their love of Ohio University and of Buckeye football.