Saturday’s homecoming game against Ohio didn’t go as head coach Scot Loeffler planned.

Let’s be honest, it went the complete opposite of how he wanted it to go. 

Ohio walked out of Bowling Green with a convincing 38-7 win. But at Monday’s press conference, the only thing on Loeffler’s mind was getting his players ready for Georgia Tech and putting them in the right position to win. 

“The issue is mindset, and the issue is being a true complete team,” said Loeffler. “Having those team qualities and those things that make a difference. The challenge is to get our team to have the right mindset and to truly be a team and get rid of unselfish thoughts and actions.”

The mindset the coaching staff wants to set out for the Falcons all comes back to consistency.

Consistency is something Loeffler has been praising for this team since spring ball, and the last thing Loeffler wants is to fall into old habits from past teams.

He knows he’s got the talent, now they just need to piece it together. 

“We know we’ve got enough talent, we know we’ve got good kids, we got good scheme and good coaches now let’s just put it all together get our minds right, and be consistent,” said Loeffler. “If not it will be the same old same old. We’ll go out and beat someone we’re not supposed to, lose to someone we’re supposed to beat and it will be the same old repeat” 

Unclogging the mind? Another huge emphasis.

“Complete 100% concentration on their job, nothing less,” said Loeffler. “For example the quarterback position, there’s a reason that they’re making $65 million a year because it’s the hardest position in the sport and it’s not even close. The decision-making that you have to make in 1.5 seconds to the amount of information that you have to process pre-snap, post-snap, during the snap is mind-boggling, and if you have anything cluttered in your mind whatsoever, you’re not gonna play very well.” 

And as MAC play begins full-time here in two weeks, playing together will be more than important. 

“The game hasn’t changed, from the beginning of time, don’t turn over the ball, block effectively,’ said Loeffler. “The things that have changed right now are getting our men to get their minds uncluttered and to go out and play as a team and unit” 

Defensive lineman Dontrez Brown preaches the same thing. 

“Playing together, Saturday we didn’t do that,” said Brown. “So bringing everyone together and it starts tomorrow, we have to come as a team and not point fingers.” 

But not all was bad, but rather a bit bittersweet, as Loeffler announced the season-ending injury status of linebacker Demetrius Hardamon, who exited the Michigan game with what was described by BGSU Athletics as an “orthopedic injury.”

While the injury is tough in the present, the hope for Hardamon, as well as the support for his recovery, is strong.

“He’ll be out for the season, he had surgery in Ann Arbor,” said Loeffler. “It’s a surgery that is going to give him a chance to possibly play again which is great. He had a great surgeon, came out great, was a long surgery. And appreciate all the things that the Michigan guys did, Harbaugh went over and saw him twice, the Michigan players went over and saw him a couple of times so I appreciate what they did for him.” 

In terms of moving forward? It’s the same thing each and every week. 

Ourselves. 

“I’m at the point right now, it has zero to do with our opponents right now like when I mean zero,” said Loeffler. “It’s all about our mindset. It’s all about us being team guys and we do that we have a chance, we don’t do that it’ll look like what happened on Saturday.” 

Quarterback Connor Bazelak had almost a mirror answer. 

“I think a lot of the stuff this week will be focusing on us,” said Bazelak. “I think if we can do what I know what we’re capable of doing and what I’ve seen us do throughout all of fall camp then I know we can put up points against any defense in the country.” 

As for Saturday, Loeffler knows how good this Georgia Tech team is and knows it will be a challenge. 

“They have really improved; It’s taken them time,” said Loeffler. “They’ve obviously done a good job in the transfer portal. They play a very up-tempo offense and a very unique style on defense. I mean they do it all and, and they obviously must have some smart guys too because of their doing it without a lot of busts which is impressive.” 

This BG team is still banged up from a few weeks back, and this past Saturday saw a few more players get injured, but the team will have to find a way to compete and give themselves a chance.

Kickoff from Atlanta, Ga. is set to begin at 3:30 p.m.

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