Week two of the college football season is here, and the BGSU Falcons are set to make the trip down I-75 for a matchup against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday for the first time since 1994.
Falcon Media Sports Network’s Sean Connelly and Lucas Kleimeyer will have the call of the game. However, before that, Artie Abrego, Trey Kennedy and Daniel Ridenour will host an in-studio pregame show on Falcon Radio, beginning at 3:05 p.m., with kickoff at 3:30 p.m. from Nippert Stadium.
Matchup History
The Falcons and Bearcats have faced off four times over the year, with the Orange and Brown being undefeated, winning games in 1990, 1991, 1993 and 1994, when they defeated UC 38-0.
Scouting the Falcons
Bowling Green is coming off their 26-7 win over Lafayette in the first game of the season.
Last week, the Falcons only scored one offensive touchdown, which came from a Mar’Kel Porter four-yard run.
The other touchdown came from a Cameron Pettaway kickoff return that he took to the house for 98 yards.
After that, the scoring was thanks to the leg of Jackson Kleather. Kleather made all four field goal attempts, including a 56-yard field goal, which is tied for the second-longest in program history.
The Falcons ran the ball 44 times against the Leopards; however, much of that was due to a limited amount of tape on their FCS opponent.
Although the Orange and Brown will likely still rely on the run game, quarterback Drew Pyne is likely to throw more than he did a week ago, when he was 12-18 for 109 yards.
Scouting the Bearcats
The Bearcats come into this matchup 0-1 on the season with last week’s loss against Nebraska at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield knows Bowling Green doesn’t shy away from the big contests, and this week is no different.
“These guys will play hard, there’s no question about it. They play physically. Going back to BG last year, I think they lost to Penn State by a touchdown and Texas A&M by six,” said Satterfield. “They’re not going to be intimidated about coming in here and playing. So, we’ve certainly got to continue to elevate our play, play with the same intensity and execute better at a higher level in order to go out and play a great game this week.”
Cincinnati comes back home in week two, where they have won 23 consecutive home openers, dating back to 2002.
Brendan Sorsby, the quarterback for UC, is a huge threat for the Falcons with his ability to use his legs.
“The quarterback makes it go. He has a lot of moxie. He has a great deal of experience in this league, with a lot of starts. He uses his legs a lot, and he’s a big load. He can wear on the defense,” said BGSU Mike and Jan Wilcox Head Football Coach Eddie George. “I think you saw that a little bit against Nebraska. I’m pretty sure they’re going to try to get him going in the passing game. He didn’t show his arm a whole lot, but it’s there. We have a great challenge for us coming up this week.”
Cincinnati’s defense last week allowed 353 total yards of offense last week, including 243 through the air.
Those yards through the air allow Bowling Green to potentially stretch the field this week rather than favor the run like they did last week.
These two teams both had similar evacuations a week ago: Very run-heavy with the pass game still willing to grow.
Falcon Four Players to Watch
Jyrin Johnson (Bowling Green #7)
Last week, Johnson catch one pass for 22 yards.
With Bowling Green’s game plan needing the pass game to produce in order to win, the top tight end on the depth chart should play a major role.
Dorian Pringle (Bowling Green #30)
Last week, the linebacker was all over the Lafayette offense, as he led the team with 10 total tackles, six solo, four tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks.
Pringle will need to bring the same type of game if the BG defense wants to stop the mobile quarterback in Sorsby.
Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati #2)
Speaking of Sorsby, the Bearcat quarterback was the team’s leading rusher a week ago against Nebraska, as he ran for 96 yards on 13 carries, which eclipsed his passing stats of 13-25 for 69 yards.
Sorsby’s ability to use his legs will always give defenses nightmares, and if the Falcons can’t contain him, they might be in for a long day.
Jonathan Thompson (Cincinnati #22)
A week ago, the linebacker had nine total tackles, including three solo, and 1.5 sacks on Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola.
Thompson racked up 49 total tackles, five tackles for loss, three passes defended and two sacks for the Bearcats last season.
