Bowling Green vs Ball State Recap and Takeaways 2024

 Bowling Green Wins 5th Game in a Row!!!




    The MAC is in a crazy tight race and Bowling Green secured a 38-13 win over Ball State on their senior day. Coach Loeffler and the Falcons are rolling along as they have now won 5 straight games, 6 of the last 7 games and are an astounding 6-1 in MAC play this year. This game was tight at halftime but BG outscored the Cardinals 28-6 in the 2nd half. I want to take a quick dive into this game but I must mention that this win makes our next game against Miami OH a win and go play in the MAC Championship!!


Recap

1st Half

    Once again the BG defense started the game with a 3 and out. Then the BG offense pulled out a classic Bowling Green drive. 15 plays, 93 yards, and 9 minutes. Harold Fannin continued to be magnificent. Fannin caught multiple first down balls as well as a screen pass. The play calling was creative, a lot of pre snap motion. The option run game with Connor Bazelak continues to baffle defenses. The sustained drive ended with a TD pass to Fannin. The BG defense continued to come up with sacks, Saad, Brown, and Hawkins just eating up the Ball State O line. BG and Ball traded a couple punts and then Ball State went for it on 4th and 3 but the Falcons held strong. BG eventually fumbled but then the Cardinals threw the worst double pass ever that Jordan Oladokun picked off. Luckily BG was able to scratch a FG out of the turnover and go up 10-0 before Ball State scored a long passing TD to end the half just down by 3. 

2nd Half

    The 2nd half was a slobberknocker where BG punted just once. The Falcons rode Fannin again as he made an INSANE catch for a first down on 3rd and medium. After Bazelak was sacked Zach Long made another FG. Ball State punted again and the Falcons were able to capitalize on the field position with an eventual Rakeem Smith TD run on a sweep. The BG defense led by Joe Sipp for much of the game made another 3 and out. Rakeem Smith then took a creative bubble screen 66 yards to the house. The Orange and Brown defense continued to dominant the game. Joe Sipp and Chace Davis had back to back sacks to force ANOTHER Ball State punt which BG then able to get a long 48 yard FG made. The Cardinals would finally score again and BG would get the 2nd team in there and would see a THIRD Rakeem Smith touchdown from Lucian Anderson this time. 38-13 final. 


Takeaways

    This game was a fun one. Ball State was playing hard for their seniors Coach Mike Neu was fired after 9 years. In my estimation considering how whacky the 2020 season is in retrospect, his 9 years were a few too many for the lack of bowl games. Bowling Green dominated the 2nd half. BG may be 6-1 in conference but it is not enough. This win was really fun but it is not enough. If BG wants to complete a historic season they must beat Miami OH on Friday. A win and BG goes to Detroit. A loss, and BG will need some help from Ball State to beat Ohio at the same time. The morale of the BG faithful, especially those of us that never doubted Coach Loeffler for even a second should be sky high. Ever since the Marshall win of 2022 there has been zero doubt in my mind the Falcons will eventually win a championship under Coach Loeffler. Never take a conference win for granted, EVER. Despite the records or status of both team this league lives in parity. However, maybe more than ever, this game needs to be put behind the team as preparations focus on the RedHawks. 

    Ay Ziggy!!!



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