Well, folks, the most anticipated week for the Falcons is finally here — Toledo week.
Bowling Green will head up to Toledo coming off of a 27-6 win over Kent State, while Toledo will head back to their home stadium after a defensive showdown where they defeated NIU 13-6.
BGSU head coach Scot Loeffler will be coaching against the Rockets for the sixth time, so he understands the importance of this game.
“It’s an honor to be a part of it; I think it’s a great rivalry. I think both schools are passionate about their programs,” said Loeffler. “It’s 20 minutes up the road or down the road, however you look at it. But it’s a great rivalry, and anytime that you’re able to be a part of a rivalry game, it’s special.”
BG running back Jamaal Johnson is looking forward to another exciting game in the historic rivalry.
“They do very good things, and so do we. So it’s always a fun matchup every year; looking forward to it on that calendar.
Senior inside linebacker Brock Horne is just excited to play in this game one more time.
“Every season, it seems like this game has been kind of at a pivotal point in our season. This is a real rivalry, in my opinion, the best rivalry in the MAC, said Horne. “So, just excited to go out there and get to play in it one more time.”
A huge question mark going into this game on Bowling Green is the depth of the wide receiver room.
Malcolm Johnson Jr. left the game on Saturday midway through the second quarter, which puts a big gap in the depth as RJ Garcia and Finn Hogan were ruled out before Saturday’s matchup.
A positive is that Loeffler hopes and plans to see all three of those guys suit up and play.
“We’re hoping that they all play. That’s what we’re planning on,” said Loeffler. “When we get closer to the end of the week, we’ll know for sure, but we’re planning on all of them to play.”
Loeffler took the keys to this program in 2019, which was also the last time this game was played on a Saturday, a game in which he defeated the Rockets 20-7, ending the losing streak the Falcons had against the Rockets after nine seasons.
Here’s what he had to say about the game finally being back on a Saturday.
“I think this game should always be on a Saturday, and I would play it at noon, but 3:30 [p.m.] will work. It’s great for the Toledo community. It’s great for the Bowling Green community. You’re not fighting with a Tuesday or Wednesday, worrying about work,” said Loeffler. “I think their stadium will be sold out as ours would be if it was down here. I think this is what a college football rivalry is supposed to look like.”
A sold-out Glass Bowl with the Falcons in town on a Saturday?
Count us in.
A sold-out stadium is something that the Falcons are no stranger to this season.
“I think our kids have played enough football and in enough big environments. You block out the crowd, you block out the distractions and concentrate on doing what you’re supposed to do,” said Loeffler. “They played in big stadiums. We played in big stadiums. I think both teams will handle it quite well.”
Johnson is going to treat it like just another game on the schedule, starting with practice.
“I think it’s another regular game. It starts with practice and our confidence, but I think it’s still like another game,” said Johnson. “Just going out there, being confident, and playing well on that stage.”
Horne embraces the hostile environments and is looking forward to the moment.
“I think we’ve handled it well this year, so I think our confidence is definitely there,” said Horne. “I personally like going into hostile environments, especially when they’re packed crowds.”
Remember the last time the Falcons invaded the Glass Bowl back in the 2022 season? The Orange and Brown defeated Toledo 42-35 on a memorable, cold, and snowy night.
Now, they’re looking to have back-to-back wins in Toledo for the first time in 30 years.
Loeffler says to just focus on each day of the week.
“We’re gonna concentrate on having a great Monday, great Tuesday, great Wednesday, great Thursday, Friday, and then go out there and let it rip,” he said.
The Falcons have let it rip off the gun in the previous two years, as last year, they jumped out to a 28-10 lead at the half, and in 2022, they had a 21-0 lead to start the game.
We will have to wait and see if the Falcons have another explosive start.
Tune in to Falcon Radio on Saturday, where Falcon Media Sports Network’s Rhys Patrykus and Sean Connelly will have the call, with coverage starting at 3:15 p.m.
