BGSU football (3-3, 1-1) returned home for their annual Battle of I-75 matchup against the Toledo Rockets (3-3, 1-2) in the 90th edition of the rivalry game and the 300th game at Doyt L.Perry Stadium. While the first half was less than stellar, the Falcons were able to mount a comeback and steal the victory late in the fourth quarter, 28-23.
“I’m just really proud of our boys,” George said. “It’s just how we handle adversity.”
The first half was one of struggle for the Orange and Brown, with the defense unable to contain the hurry up style of play the Toledo offense, led by senior quarterback Tucker Gleason, and giving up 308 total yards of offense on both the ground and through the air.
Gleason would go onto to complete 10 of his 14 passing attempts for 178 yards, and one touchdown pass in a hurry up style of offense that threw BG’s defense off their footing for the entire half.
The running game for the Rockets was also a strong suit, led by senior running back Chip Trayanum, who currently leads the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in rushing yards per game. He found the end zone in the very first offensive drive to create the early lead, 7-0.
Toledo found the end zone two more times before the end of the half, with Gleason having a rushing score of his own and a passing touchdown on their very next offensive drive to senior tight end Jacob Petersen to create a three-score lead, 21-0.
The Falcons offense had a rough start even before the opening kick off, with the announcement of senior quarterback Drew Pyne being ruled out for the matchup with a left leg injury, giving the nod to second-string sophomore Lucian Anderson III for his first collegiate start, who before the game had only seen 12 passing attempts in his short college career so far.
“Coming in, Lucian had to battle just to get the opportunity to be second string,” Mike and Jan Wilcox Head Football Coach Eddie George said postgame. “He always takes those mental reps during the course of the week when Drew (Pyne) was in there. When your time comes, it’s all about the power of the unit.”
The Falcons only managed to earn 101 yards against against a Toledo defense that ranks sixth in the nation in allowing yards in the first 30 minutes, with multiple three-and-outs hindering BG from creating any separation on offense and creating a tight battle.
“It wasn’t pretty,” George said. “Offensively and defensively we couldn’t figure it out.”
Bowling Green wouldn’t see the end zone until late in the first half, with a screen pass from Anderson to junior running back Cameron Pettaway for a 45-yard house call to put BG on the board, 21-7. Despite the tough beginning, George kept the team calm at halftime.
“Just settle down and trust your eyes,” George said. “A lot of those big plays come off of guys not trusting their eyes.”
The second half saw a change of tempo, as UT went three-and-out in back-to-back offensive drives, giving the Falcons opportunities to sneak back into the game. The events led to BG’s second touchdown drive late in the third quarter with a pass from Anderson to junior tight end Jacob Harris to create a new ball game, 21-14.
“I definitely had more comfortability with each drive,” Anderson said. “My teammates were telling me the entire time, ‘Hey, you got this,’ and I was telling them I have them.”
The Falcons defense showed signs of redemption early in the fourth quarter, managing to hold Toledo to just 19-yards to begin the first two minutes.
Anderson and the offense returned to the field soon after, but the first play resulted in an interception down the field from junior safety Braden Awls for Bowling Green’s first turnover of the game.
The defense continued to remain strong, forcing multiple three-and-outs from Toledo, which translated to a trick play on the following offensive drive from senior wide receiver RJ Garcia II, with a 73-yard touchdown pass to Pettaway to tie up the game at 21 apiece.
“We were practicing it all week,” Pettaway said. “I told him to throw it as far as he could, I’d go get it wherever it was.”
The Rockets tried to get the game back under control on their side starting on their on four-yard line the next drive. However, Gleason was strip-sacked and recovered by the Orange and Brown’s sophomore defensive end Isaiah Thomison that set the very next play up for a rushing touchdown by junior running back Chris McMillian for a one-yard score to give Bowling Green their first lead of the day, 28-21.
Gleason and the Rockets offense got another chance to try and tie the game up, but Gleason threw a late interception to junior cornerback MJ Cannon.
“Obviously, that was a tough outcome of that football game,” Toledo head coach Jason Candle said postgame. “Hats off to Bowling Green; they won a tough game today and made a few more plays than we did at the end.”
Bowling Green will look to ride their new found momentum to continue their quest for Mid-American Conference (MAC) title, as they will once again be on their home turf against the Central Michigan Chippewas (3-3, 1-1) on Saturday at noon.
