Week two of midweek MACtion, and boy, do we have a fun one in store at Doyt L. Perry Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Bowling Green Falcons (5-4, 4-1) welcome in the Western Michigan Broncos (5-4, 4-1) for a battle for first place in the Mid-American Conference.
MATCHUP HISTORY
The Falcons and Broncos have matchup up a total of 57 times, with the Falcons leading the matchup 34-20-3 with BG having a two-game win streak over the Broncos.
One of those wins came last year in the regular season finale, where the Falcons took the win 34-10.
THE LOWDOWN
Is this the biggest game in the Scot Loeffler era? A November game that is a battle for first place in the MAC?
That’s what Loeffler has been dreaming of ever since he got here back in 2019.
As mentioned above, these two teams met a year ago, with BG winning in blowout fashion 34-10, with the Broncos finishing their season 4-8 overall and 3-5 in the MAC.
But this is a new season, and head coach Lance Taylor has flipped their program around to reach new heights.
Something Loeffler noticed.
“We’ve got a huge challenge ahead of us this week. I think coach Lance Taylor at Western has done an unbelievable job in 1 year of flipping the roster,” said Loeffler.
Western Michigan, like Bowling Green, had their highest passer, rusher, and pass catcher all return for this season, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Jaden Nixon and Jalen Buckley have led the way for Western Michigan on the ground, as both backs rank in the top five in the MAC for yards per game.
Nixon also leads the way by a large margin in touchdowns throughout running backs in the MAC.
“They may have the most dangerous back in the conference. He’s excellent number 3 from Oklahoma State [Nixon]. The other two backs are excellent as well,” said Loeffler.
Western Michigan ranks at the top of the MAC in total, and scoring offense, and those two backs are a big reason why.
On our side of the ball?
Terion Stewart ranks number one in all of the MAC, averaging just under 100 yards per game. That’s with missing some time, too.
This past week, WMU took a loss to Northern Illinois, which was the Bronco’s first MAC loss.
In that game, NIU scored 21 points off of three WMU turnovers.
We all know Loeffler loves winning the time of possession and the turnover battle. So, that will be a critical factor in the game tomorrow.
Something that leans our way in that department is that it’s been three games since the Falcons have turned the ball over.
Loeffler credits assistant and running back coach Brian White for that success.
“I have to give credit to Brian White. He’s in charge of ball security, and he does a great job on both sides of the ball In terms of teaching how to get the ball back and in terms of teaching how to carry the ball, we do a bunch of drills. It’s just not coach talk,” said Loeffler.
Another big reason for no turnovers?
Senior quarterback Connor Bazelak.
“I think Connor has been excellent with decision-making. He’s been excellent about protecting the ball. He’s gotta continue to do that,” said Loeffler.
“I don’t think it’s been like a super emphasis that we’re trying to be super careful about not turning the ball over. We’re just going out there and playing football, relying on our preparation and our practice and knowing that we have good players,” said Bazelak.
Loeffler isn’t afraid to say he’s at the top of the MAC, either.
“I’m not afraid to say this. He’s the best quarterback in this league.”
On the defensive side of the ball, BG comes into this game ranked 4th in sacks in the MAC. Something that Lance Taylor said last year gave problems to their offense.
“They created problems for us, so we’re gonna have to make sure that we do a great job with that this year. But I love how they played the passion, intensity, and physicality that they play with on the defensive side of the football.”
Biggest game in the Loeffler era? First midweek MACtion game at home for BG? Battle for first place in the MAC?
Sign us all up.
Join Falcon Media Sports Network’s Sean Connelly and Austin Roose tomorrow evening on Falcon Radio, with coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m. with kickoff at 7:00 p.m.
