Week 3 Buffalo vs Bowling Green Recap

Recap

Let me just start out by saying, I thought this was our best game of the year. Say what you will about them running all over us for a million yards but this was our closest game of the year. The offense also finally looked decent so despite the loss there are some positives. Defense still got bullied as the bulls only completed 7 passes on the night, so shoutout to our d line for hanging tough. 


1st Quarter

The beginning of the game was not all that bad. The Bulls marched down the field and scored on a Jaret Paterson touchdown, his first of 4 on the day. At that point hope was already gone until the Falcons marched down the field, but had to settle for a FG by Nate Needham. A 3 and out for our defense got Matt McDonald and the lads back on the field quick. They showed us another glimmer of hope as they went all the way down the field. Then on 4th and short, Loeffler decided to have us kick. I did not agree with this decision at all, as 31 point underdogs you have to play with some guts here. The kick was good but the 1st quarter ended so it did not count. The Needham missed so it remained 7-3 Bulls.  

2nd Quarter

Not a lot to say here. Only let up 14 points on two rushing touchdowns. We only had two drives on defense, and two drives on offense as BG could not move the ball, going 3 and out and then 6 and out on their only two drives. Really boring quarter as Buffalo just pounded the rock over and over again.

3rd Quarter

The 3rd quarter proved to be more of the same. McDonald, who had his best game of the year going 17-27, threw a pick in the endzone and BG lost the 3rd quarter 14-0. Jaret Patterson continued to dominate, as he racked up the yards and would end the day with over 300. Buffalo proved that you can still win ugly in the MAC as they bullied our linemen on both sides of the ball.

4th Quarter

The last quarter of the game was better for the Orange and Brown. BG won the quarter 14-7. Terion Stewart continued to shine as he rushed for two scores. Matt McDonald moved the ball well through the air too. Julian Ortega-Jones also made more of an impact. BG kept it kind of close as they only lost 42-17. 


Bowling Green

Passing

Best game of the year for the Falcons so far. The offensive line actually looked solid against the best defense we have played yet. Matt McDonald still missed some guys that a 12 year old could have hit but he also made some brilliant plays. He looks more comfortable and I am sure with better protection he will continue to ease into this offense. McDonald went 17-27 with one pick and 219 yards. Noah Massey had some nice catches, but he is now suspended for the rest of the season. Quinten Morris and Ortega-Jones were the main targets, combining for 10 of the 17 catches and over 120 yards. Still waiting for that first touchdown through the air.

Running

Another solid game on the ground, as the Falcons racked up 180 yards on 44 carries. Andrew Clair was the main back, getting 14 touches for a whopping 85 yards, which is an average of 6.1 for the BGSU Junior. Stewart and Bryson Denley continued to get work as well, as the Falcons continue to develop their three0headed monster. It is always nice to see a bunch of backs that can keep their legs fresh and confuse the defense, Receiver Jhaylin Embry continues to see jet sweeps as he had two for 18 yards. The line needs to continue to get to the second level and we will keep seeing great runs. 

Defense

Well, the Bulls had 396 yards of rushing. My golly that is an insane number. Jaret Paterson had 301 yards on just 31 carries, an average of 9.7 yards. He also found the endzone 4 times. Not much else to say. The Bulls really didn't care to throw, and why should they? They have an o line with a few NFL prospects while we have two start recruits playing as freshmen. It was an old school form of bully ball and it eased them to a victory. 

Special Teams

Nothing too special here. 1/1 of FGs and 2/2 on XPs for Nate Needham. Returns were really not that good and we should start fair catching more kick offs. 


Future

As I have said, it is going to get worse before it gets better. However, this was our closest game yet so not all that bad. 76% of bettors had money on Buffalo -31 so it was nice to ruin some people's Wednesday. Offense was the best it had looked all year and the defense did it's best against the best team in the MAC. I honestly think Ohio is a winnable game, but it does not really matter. This is a free year, so let everyone play and get better. Let us enjoy this extended training camp and compete and learn. Falcons fly baby. 


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