Week 5 Bowling Green at Akron

Recap

Well folks, we have hit rock bottom. Akron, who had 21 straight losses going into this game didn't just win, pounded us 31-3. I can get into more details but we have to let this loss hurt. We need the sting from this loss to motivate us to get into the weight room, study film, do the little things Scot Loeffler talks about doing 365 days a year to win.

1st Quarter

Akron started with the ball and was able to quickly get down the field. However, the drive eventually stalled and the defense came up huge with a stop. The ensuing punt would symbolize the struggles of 2020 and the beginning of the end for BG's hopes at a win. Jake Rogers fumbled the punt and Akron started with the ball at the Bowling Green 10 yard line. The Orange and Brown defense would stand tall and hold Akron to a FG. The Falcons would then orchestrate a 16 play, 8 minute drive that would stall out in the redzone and resulted in a Nate Needham field goal. The first quarter flew by. BG's only offensive drive looked promising, with Matt McDonald making some great throws despite playing quite hurt. The run game however was struggling which has been rare for the Falcons so far this season. 

2nd Quarter

The Zips responded in turn by driving down the field and scoring a touchdown to go up 10-3. Teon Dollard would have a good game, rushing for over 180 yards against our defense that has seen a lot of runs this season and the years before. Bowling Green needed to respond, and was able to get all the way down the field before getting into a 4th down situation. The FG unit came out and missed a 37 yarder, which really just killed the morale of the game. The defense was able to go out and force a stop, however Akron punted the ball and pinned BG within their own 2 yard line. Unable to gain an inch, BGSU sent out the punt team, to which Akron blocked the kick and returned it to the house to go up 17-3. 

3rd Quarter

The 3rd quarter was not any better. LaBronz Davis came in for Matt McDonald who was bleeding on his hand and elbow, and threw a terrible interception on his first throw. Defense stepped up and forced a few punts but after a while, Akron punched another score in and was able to love the ball on critical downs. The offense sucked, not much else to say.

4th Quarter

Again, offense sucked outside of Terion Stewart who rushed for over 80 yards on just 14 carries. Offensive line wasn't good all game but there were true freshman in. Oh yeah, and Akron scored another TD. 

Bowling Green

Passing

Matt McDonald did not practice all week, so it was a surprise he even started this game. He was not terrible, going 14/26 for just 135 yards. Honestly, the o line could not block anyone and Akron's front 7 was all over the pocket. I am gonna give McDonald a lot of credit for playing tough. As much as we need to give Scot time with this decimated roster, the same goes for Matt. The kid has 18 year old's blocking for him and trying to catch his throws. Have to grade him on a GIANT curve for being one of very few upper classmen. LaBronz Davis got his 2nd career throw, an absolute rainbow into the breadbasket of an Akron defender. I liked the aggressiveness though. Quintin Morris caught 6 of the 14 throws for 81 yards with a long of 53. 

Running

For once Andrew Clair was held in check. Just 26 yards on 11 carries for an average of around 2 yards. Listen, Akron had a great game plan. The Bowling Green receivers and o-line are very young, so just go into man coverage and blitz the house. Boy did it work. Terion Stewart had another solid game though, scrapping together 91 yards on just 14 carries. Worst run game of the year for the Falcons, so hopefully this is a motivator for the young linemen to hit the weight room. 

Defense

Best game of the year for the defense as they allowed less than 300 yards of offense. The run defense was horrendous again, allowing over 180 yards on just 20 carries for Teon Dollard. Dollard had 3 td's and average over 7 yards a carry and was 99% of their offense. Kholbe Coleman, Darren Anders, and Jerry Roberts continue to shine as tacklers and show a lot of promise for years to come. 

Special Teams

Woof, this one was bad. A blocked punt for a TD, a muffed punt that set up a FG. Lost in all 3 phases of this game. 

Future

Again, I am okay with this loss. I would have liked it to be closer but a win does not fix the issues at hand. We need Loeffler to continue to be a great recruiter. Once we get 4 full classes of strong kids, then we can worry about winning but for now we need to get in the weight room, study film, and fall in love with the 365 day a year process. This program has 64 freshmen people, okay that is unheard of. It will take 3 years MINIMUM before we starting looking toward bowl games again. Embrace the suck, embrace the hurt now, and we will see better days to come as long as the players, coaches, and staff believe it to be true. 

Follow us on Twitter @ BGFootballTalk