ORLANDO, Fla. — When StaffDNA Cure Bowl kicked off at noon Friday, the goal was to win on and off the field — to raise money for cancer research and to take the game title.

What You Need To Know

  • Friday’s Cure Bowl marked a postseason opportunity for the Jacksonville State and Ohio University football teams at Camping World Stadium

  • Ohio University won the game 30-27, and cancer research benefited off the field

  • Dr. Annette Khaled, a UCF professor who leads the College of Medicine’s cancer research division, has received over $1.5 million in funds to try to understand the basic needs of cancer cells

  • Mayor Buddy Dyer was at the game and proclaimed the StaffDNA Cure Bowl's 10th-year anniversary

Ohio University got the 30-27 victory in the game at Camping World Stadium, holding off a 13-point surge by Jacksonville State in the fourth quarter. Bobcats quarterback Parker Navarro, a former UCF Knight, rushed for three touchdowns in the first half — of 17, 8 and 7 yards — and threw an 11-yard pass to Anthony Tyus III as Ohio led 27-7 at halftime.

Cancer research won off the field. The Cure Bowl has raised millions of dollars for research to help find out why cancer comes back in patients, and if researchers can find a treatment that prevents that from happening.

Funds raised by the game go to hire new people in the research lab, explore new discoveries and expand project ideas, said Dr. Annette Khaled, a UCF professor who leads the College of Medicine’s cancer research division.

She’s received over $1.5 million in funds to try to understand the basic needs of cancer cells.

“The Cure Bowl funds and the funds for the Orlando Sports Foundation have been integral, in us exploring new directions, adding new stuff to do things more quickly, reach discoveries more efficiently,” said Khaled, also the assistant dean of faculty affairs.

Her message to those going to the Cure Bowl is to reflect on how the game is supporting the community: those struggling with cancer and efforts to change their stories.

“I think it shows that we’re all part of the same fight against cancer,” she said. ”Whether you’re suffering it yourself, you have a family member or you’re just going to have fun at a game and help us support with that enthusiasm that you bring and the support you bring to us during the game, we’re all part of the same team and community for fighting cancer.”

The NCAA college football bowl game is played each year in December. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will be at the game and will proclaim the StaffDNA Cure Bowl’s 10th-year anniversary.