BGSU vs Minnesota Recap

Biggest win in the past 6 years!

Coach Loeffler, the staff, and the players just pulled off the biggest upset in 8 years of college football. 30.5 point underdogs on the road at Minnesota, on their homecoming, the Bowling Green Falcons just got a legacy win. Loeffler said he will get each player a game ball to remember the day it was an unreal game. Bowling Green has been a bottom 10 team in the country for the past 5 years, an upset a Big 10 team that has a much, MUCH better roster on paper. That's why we play the game folks. 



1st Quarter

The 1st quarter started out great for the defense, and poor but also expected for the offense. The offense did a lot of nothing, with the offensive line getting pushed around by Minnesota's fantastic defensive line. McDonald also threw a pick that allowed Minnesota to start with the football around the 25 yard line. Brock Horne had a huge sack early on that set the tone for the game. 

2nd Quarter

In the 2nd quarter, the Falcon offense capitalized on a HUGE 4th and 1 stop by the defense when Minnesota tried to go for it on their own 25 yard line. The offense then went down to the 1 yard line, where Matt McDonald ran an option play in for a score. 7-3 for the Falcons. At this point I was impressed but still did not think a win was possible until the defense was able to continue to stand tall. Even after giving up a long run, the defense continued to stop the Gophers and they got booed off the field as the half ended 7-3 for Bowling Green. 

3rd Quarter

The 3rd quarter started with Minnesota marching down the field and scoring their last points of the game. The Gophers finally got their offense cooking and took back the lead 10-3. After a few more exciting punts, the BG offense had their first real drive, ending in a QB draw for another Matt McDonald score. There was a 4th and 1 on BG's 44 yard line a Loeffler dialed up a perfect QB scramble for 20 yards!

4th Quarter

4th quarter was perfect for the BG defense. Devin Taylor came up with an interception, and then Jordan Anderson followed with one to seal the game. Down goes the Gophers, and towards the Moon goes the Falcons. 


Bowling Green

Passing

Matt McDonald was just named MAC East Offensive player of the week again! He was able to lead this offense just enough to get the win, rushing in for 2 touchdowns. Passing he did just enough to manage the game, going 19/35 for 170 yards and an interception. Taron Keith had the longest catch, with Simms, Broden and Osborne receiving the majority of the targets. 

Running

Another struggle, the run game totaled just 22 yards but got the 2 touchdowns. Minnesota has one of the best D lines in the country so this came as no surprise. Really nothing else to say here. 

Defense

Best game of the year for the defense as they allowed just 59 yards of passing, and only 10 points. Brock Horne had an amazing game, as well as the defensive line lead by Karl Brooks. They outperformed expectations and were able to dominate the trenches. Transfer Bryce Brand lead the team in tackles, and Davon Ferguson and Devin Taylor played lockdown to the Gophers passing game. It was just flat out an amazing coaching job by new D coordinator Eric Lewis. 

Special Teams

Another great special teams game as Matt Naranjo had a record setting 78 yard punt, and won MAC East Special Teams player of the week. He had 8 punts and helped pin the Gophers multiple times. 


Future

The best Bowling Green win since the 2015 MAC Championship. I thought BGSU was going to go 2-10 this year, and probably years away from being competitive with a team as good as Minnesota. 

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