After months of anticipation, rivalry week is finally here, with the Battle of I-75 between BGSU football and Toledo set for Saturday at noon at Doyt L. Perry Stadium.
The rivalry is one of the best in the country, and Mike and Jan Wilcox Head Football Coach Eddie George recognizes the importance of the game.
“Of course, in my time at Ohio State, I played the team up north and was at the Army-Navy game,” George said in the team’s weekly press conference on Monday. “This one here ranks right up there with that. So, to have had the opportunity to coach in this game is an honor. Thrilled to compete against that team up north.”
George seems to have made it a mission to drill the importance of the rivalry and winning the game to his roster, which is full of new players this season.
“It’s bragging rights. It’s all of that. It’s Toledo being an urban school, and Bowling Green is in no man’s land. The better resources, all of it. I mean, it means something. So, it’s important for these kids to understand, they’re part of something special,” George said. “You’re standing on the shoulders of giants before you. We’re playing for men who have worn this jersey before you, so you want to leave it better. We want to continue the tradition. We want to continue to keep the trophy here at Bowling Green. So, it matters. When you come to schools like this, you play in games for this particular reason: to play in games like this. We’re making a real emphasis for them to understand that, hey, this is an important game. This really means a lot to this university.
The Falcons will have a homefield advantage for the contest on Saturday, seeking to avenge their crushing 32-31 loss to the Rockets at the Doyt two years ago.
“Having that on-field advantage is huge. To have a packed house and have the energy, especially the more orange and brown, we feed off of that. I think that’s a huge advantage for us, and this being the biggest game on our schedule, especially for this community and what it means for the MAC championship and all of that, it’s a big one,” George said. “So, we’re hoping that it is full. Hopefully, it’s full of orange and brown, and it’s loud. So be loud on critical downs for the opposing opponents. We’re looking forward to that.”
The Falcons are coming off a bye week, which was much-needed for a team that has been physically beat up, especially on defense.
However, Toledo and head coach Jason Candle have also had an extra week of preparation for the game.
Toledo’s defense is one of the best in country this season. The Rockets lead the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and rank sixth in the country for fewest yards per game allowed (223.8) and pass yards per game allowed (131.8), ninth in points per game allowed (12.4) and 22nd in rush yards per game allowed (92.0).
The defense will be a major challenge for graduate student Drew Pyne, who has struggled mightily over the past two games.
“Protect the football. Number one, protect the football. That’s going to be key for us. That will help clean up those mistakes that we had in the last few weeks. We were able to move the ball effectively, pretty much with anybody that we played. It’s just being able to finish drives with scores, not giving up explosive runs or passes. Having a team drive the ball against us is going to be huge, too. So, being disciplined with our eyes defensively, protecting the football and taking advantage of the opportunities that are given to us on both sides of the football and being able to score a touchdown as we drive,” George said. “[Pyne] just has to be more consistent, making the best plays. I think that has a lot to do with being on the same page, and that goes with our coaching staff, too, and being able to communicate. Understanding the why behind certain past concepts or what we’re doing, why we’re calling these plays, what the effect is, and why this receiver has to get to his depth across the face of the defender, so we can open up a window for a certain player. That understanding has to be collected. It can’t be information held on to just one particular unit. That has to be shared, that has to be communicated, and that has to be executed at a high level. So, once you know he understands that and we’re on the same page, we’ll be operating at the high level.”
Bowling Green has struggled over the past two weeks against Louisville and Ohio. However, they have an opportunity to gain all of the momentum in the world with a win over the Rockets.
The Falcons will undoubtedly head into the matchup as the underdog. But as always, anything can happen in a rivalry game.
