BGSU football (5-4, 4-1) and Central Michigan (3-6, 1-4) clashed in the first MACtion game of the season, with the Falcons emerging victorious in a rainy slugfest, 23-13.
The heavy rain in the second half made running the football extremely important, and BGSU persevered.
BG’s offense started hot, including a crucial 4th down conversion caught by Harold Fannin Jr. Their drive was capped off by a Zach Long field goal, making the score 3-0 Falcons.
The Chippewas’ offense looked sharp on their first drive until a tackle for loss by Ali Saad and a forced fumble by Charles Rosser resulted in a punt.
After three-and-outs by Bowling Green and CMU, the Falcons immediately had explosive plays, with Fannin hauling in a 31-yard reception and Terion Stewart rumbling for 13 more yards.
After starting the second quarter by getting pushed back by some penalties, the Falcons settled for another field goal, putting the score at 6-0 with 12:55 to go in the half.
The Chippewas got going on offense with a massive 40-yard run by Myles Bailey. The run was reduced to only a 25-yard gain because of a penalty; however, some great pass defense by BG senior cornerback Jordan Oladokun forced CMU to punt yet again.
BGSU’s quarterback, Connor Bazelak, started off their next offensive drive efficiently throwing the ball with two quick strikes putting the ball on the Chippewa 43-yard line. A very impressive catch by Rahkeem Smith helped them get another first down; however, another penalty forced a punt out of the Falcons with 5:45 to go in the half.
After a punt from Central Michigan, a targeting foul was enforced on the Chippewa linebacker, Lawai’a Brown, allowing BG to kick another field goal, building their lead to 9-0 with 2:28 to go in the half.
On the next drive, CMU quarterback Tyler Jefferson had a massive run of 44 yards, finally giving life to their offense. This huge run and another penalty brought the ball all the way down to the BGSU 13-yard line. Central Michigan finally punched it in the endzone, with Jefferson carrying a yard. Their touchdown cut BG’s lead to just 9-7.
In the first half, it was the BGSU passing game that was really clicking. Bazelak was 13 for 22 for 152 yards. He spread the ball out to six different receivers.
Long was also very important, as he was perfect on three field goals and the Falcon’s only source of points.
In the first half, Central Michigan struggled on offense, only garnering 120 yards of total offense. However, Jefferson was quite effective running the ball, carrying the rock four times for 52 yards and a touchdown.
After Central Michigan received the ball to start the second half, Jefferson was sacked by Anthony Hawkins. He fumbled the ball, which Bowling Green linebacker Joseph Sipp Jr recovered, giving BG great field position at the CMU 39-yard line.
BGSU’s offense capitalized on this field position with a scoring drive; Bazelak threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end Levi Gazarek, increasing Bowling Green’s lead to 16-7.
Some heavy rain began to affect the game, causing the ball to slip out of player’s hands. After nearly losing another fumble, CMU was forced to punt again.
Back on offense, BG had another explosive play on the ground. Jaison Patterson took the ball 41 yards down the field. This huge rush got them all the way to the Central Michigan 28-yard line. After a couple more plays, Bowling Green lined up for a field goal, but it was blocked and recovered by the Chippewas.
On offense, CMU put in their backup quarterback, Jadyn Glasser, to help give them a spark. While Central Michigan got two quick first downs, the Saad again came up with a big tackle for loss.
After a 10-yard penalty and a failed fourth down conversion, Bowling Green regained possession. Their next drive marked the beginning of the fourth quarter.
However, Bazelak was sacked by Jonah Pace and Malik Denkins on the first play of the drive, ultimately leading to a punt.
Central Michigan went three and out, punting the ball back to the Falcons. The punt was fairly short, putting BG on the Chippewa 33.
Patterson picked up another first down on the ground, with the rain continuing to be a factor.
After a few more runs, Patterson scored another touchdown for BG, extending their lead to 23-7 with only 5:42 left.
On CMU’s first play, Glasser completed a 25-yard pass to his tight end, Gavin Harris. Glasser continued to throw the ball down the field, completing three more passes.
With the rain having stopped, completing passes was becoming a little easier. After getting the ball down to the one-yard line, Glasser ran it into the endzone for the score. The Chippewas attempted a two-point conversion but failed to convert, with the score remaining at 23-13.
After recovering an onside kick, Bowling Green took over on offense at the CMU 46. After two runs by Stewart and a knee by Bazelak, BGSU walked out of Mount Pleasant with a 23-13 victory.
The first was all through the air on offense, but once the rain started in the second half, the Falcons dominated on the ground. Bazelak finished 19 for 30 through the air for 207 yards and a touchdown. Stewart ran for 120 yards, and Patterson had another 77 yards and a touchdown.
The Falcons now turn their attention to Western Michigan when they visit the Doyt on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
