Bowling Green vs Michigan Recap 9/16/23

BG Keeps It Interesting


(photo via BG Athletics)

The game was pretty entertaining. BG kept it close, picked off Heisman hopefully JJ McCarthy 3 times but ultimately the better team won. The real concern about the game was being on our 3rd string QB, multiple injuries, most scary of which was Demetrius Hardamon going to the hospital. The only update we have so far is that he is at least able to walk around so the injury is not as horrific as it could have been. I will keep the recap short as this game was fun bgut at the end of the day I do not gleam much from the paycheck games unless they are wins (waddup Minnesota). 


Recap 

Offense

The offense was pretty decent considering the caliber of defense. Michigan is an elite tean, no two ways about it. When Cam Orth was in the game, the chains were moving somewhat. There was a 12 play, 62 yard drive that ended in a field goal. Then the kickoff team got the ball back and the offense got another field goal. Orth was 8/11 for 91 yards before getting hurt. Then Hayden Timosciek was 6/10 for 33 yards and 2 INTs. Nick Mosley lead the rushing attack with 33 yards on 4 carries. Overall the ground game averaged just 2.2 yards per carry including sacks which is to be expected. OJ Hiliare and Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim led the Falcons in receiving yards, both going over 30. The pass game did average 8.9 yards per completion. The O line actually held up pretty well against one of the best fronts in America. 

Defense

The BG defense was pretty fun to watch. Jalen Husky, Avi McGary, and Jordan Oladokun all picked off JJ McCarthy, giving the 5 star QB his worst game of his career. Darren Anders led the team in tackles. Evan Branch-Haynes has been a surprising youngster on the d line. The defense did a surprisingly good job getting off their blocks against the best offensive line in all of FBS. That gives me a ton of hope going into MACtion. 

Special Teams

The Falcons recovered a kickoff by young kicker Jackson Kleather, Sami Sir was solid punting and Alan Anaya was 2/3 in field goal. Pretty good outing for the special team units. 




Takeaways 

The Falcons kept it close, but this game feels like a crushing loss in my mind. The one thing I said going into the game was just do not get too hurt. Both Hardamon and Levi Gazarek left on carts, plus Cam Orth left the game. Coach Loffler said Terion Stewart was hurt as well. Plus Connor Bazelak did not even start the game, Coach Loeffler saying he was hurt in the EIU game. I am the biggest BG Football super fan but in no way did I think we could pull off the upset against the 2nd best team in the country. So losing by 20 or 200 makes no difference to me, just stay healthy. BG could not and this could be a huge issue going forward. 

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