Buffalo vs Bowling Green Recap 10/8/2022

BG gets embarrassed!

Well, this game left me puzzled, frustrated, and everything in between. The first relevant MAC game in years, and the boys come out flat, lost, and just got their asses spanked. There is really no way to sugar coat this one. I am staying positive because it is just one game, but wow was it bad. Last year BG topped the Bulls in a shootout, and Buffalo came to The Doyt looking for revenge. 

photo: BGSU Athletics

1st Quarter 

It started out bad, and it never got better. Buffalo drove down the field on the opening possession with ease. BG's defense was butter, Buffalo's offense was the knife. Good running, a big throw, and it was a wrap. The offense then came out and responded by throwing a pick. The Buffalo offense then drove 30 yards to settle for a field goal. Now it was already getting out of hand, but a 3 and out for the offense led to a 2 play, 48 yard touchdown. Finally the defense gets a stop, gets a fumble. How does the offense respond? Getting stuff at the goal line and instead of taking a field goal, tries a fake where Mason Lawler trips and gets nothing. 

17-0 at the end of the first. Enough said. Team came out flat and it showed and we got served. 

2nd Quarter

The 2nd quarter saw the defense get a huge 4th and goal stand to further give the Falcons some life. After trading punts, Jhaylin Embry returns one to the Buffalo 33. Alright, this was the spark the team needed. The Jaison Patterson breaks off a big run and of course, fumbles from behind running with the ball like it was a loaf of bread. I called it from my couch 2500 miles away so easily. Fumbling at the 1, meant BG now had 2 possessions within the Buffalo 10 and have 0 points. Whats next??? A solid 3 play, 99 yard touchdown for Buffalo. Then a BG punt, then a Buffalo touchdown. 31-0. 

It may have been the worst half of football I have ever seen. Not exactly sure what happened to the defense that held Minnesota to 10 points, but they were not wearing Orange and Brown on Saturday. The offense was no better, laying a goose egg in the battle for the MAC East. 

2nd Half

This game was over at halftime so the 2nd half will be a short recap. BG fumbles at the 3 yard line, just gets the ball ripped out of Jamaal Johnson's arms and returned 97 yards to the house. BG then responded with a nice garbage time touchdown. Hey at least there was not a shutout by the defense was just chillin. Punts and downs ended the game out. 

Offense

Passing

The box score is lying. Matty was 21/42 for 1 TD and 1 INT but it wasn't that good. It all game when Buffalo was playing prevent defense for an entire half. The O line just got pushed around, Matt didn't have a great pocket but even then nobody was open. the first half was like 4/16 passing, not able to answer when it counted. 

Rushing

The run game wasn't any better, 2 bad fumbles and averaging 3.4 yards per carry, totaling just 99. Not enough, the o line could not do anything against Buffalo's front seven. It was just a mashing every play and Buffalo had all the answers. 

Defense

The defense is so confusing to me. A 60 burger against EKU, then Buffalo runs 280 yards. Again, 280 yards! Buffalo has an inexperienced O line and yet they are able to run all day. Buffalo only completed 13 passes but for almost 200 yards. Tackling is a mess. It is crazy to me that this unit returned 10 started and has zero answers. 

Special teams

Horrific fake field goal, punting was pretty bad. Special teams is a third of the game, so why should they not join in the ways of the offense and defense which is looking like they didn't practice all week. 

Takeaways

I know I sounded harsh, but maybe harsh is needed. I mean for 3 years I never cared about the final score, this team was undergoing a MASSIVE rebuild. It's year 4 in the Loeffler era, and this team looked like 2017 Jinks. Reporters are asking about the lack of energy. How is that possible? Get the culture right, it was fine in 2019. I will never forget Darius Wade being the ultimate teammate, ultimate hyped and energy guy. This 2022 team for two straight weeks looked off in the vibes column and I am not the only one seeing it obviously. BG is still 1-1 in the MAC so there is a lot of room to still go bowling but my word every game might be this ugly if people don't find some fucking heart. The home crowd was booing and the Falcons deserved it. 3 possessions within the goal line, AND ZERO POINTS. Turnovers were 4-1, rush yards were 280-99. 12 penalties, 3/14 on 3rd downs. It was a fucking ass beating and I was just shocked. 

On a positive note, I loved Loeffler's press conference and I have faith this could just be a blip in the season. BG has a chance to take on Miami OH. Miami can run the ball really well so this game could get ugly. Answers are needed, frankly a 3 game win streak may be the only way to go bowling. I still see all the talent on paper and each week is a new season. Despite the worst game against Buffalo, in the MAC it is not uncommon to have a stinker and then pull off an upset.