PASADENA, CALIFORNIA– BGSU Football kicked off the 2022 season out in California yesterday afternoon, falling to the UCLA Bruins 45-17.

The Falcons would shock many right from the get-go. After forcing a three and out on the opening drive by the Bruins, the Falcons would block the punt, pick it up, and score courtesy of Charles Rosser. However just three plays later, UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson would scamper for a 68-yard touchdown, evening the score at seven.

The teams would stay even until UCLA return man Jake Bobo muffed a punt deep in UCLA territory, which would lead to a BGSU field goal giving the Falcons a 10-7 lead. The Falcons would continue the scoring into the second quarter with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Matt McDonald to Christian Sims putting the Falcons up 17-7.

On their next drive UCLA would make the score 17-10 after a Nicholas Barr-Mira 24-yard field goal.

After that, it would be all Bruins.

 The Falcon offense would get shutout in the second half and boy would the the Falcons start to feel the California heat. Temperatures peaked in the triple digits for most of the game and the Falcons would have players going down constantly with cramps throughout the second half.

On the other hand, the Bruins found their footing in the second half, scoring 35 unanswered points, including a 52-yard touchdown pass by Dorian Thompson-Robinson to Keegan Jones, along with rushing touchdowns by Zach Charbonnet and Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

Despite the loss, the Falcon offense received solid performances by the offensive line, which as a group gave up only two sacks all game. Sims would end the day with four catches for 33 yards and a touchdown, while running back Jamal Johnson, who has earned the job after the recent announcement of Terion Stewart’s decision to step away from the program, would average nearly five yards per carry against the Bruins front.

The defense also had good performances by Davion Daniels and Joseph Sipp Jr, who both racked up 10 total tackles apiece. Linebacker JB Brown added 8 tackles and 1 TFL, while senior defensive back Davon Ferguson chipped in with 6 tackles and a sack.

The Falcons can look forward to getting away from the California heat as they host their home opener next Saturday against Eastern Kentucky University at 3 PM at the Doyt. 

For more information about the game, visit bgsufalcons.com.

PHOTO CREDIT: Emma Sharon, MLB photographer