FalconBlog--Triumphs and Trials in the BGSU Falcon Nation

The BG-UT game in 23 acts.

As I wrote in my BG-UT post, it was one of those games when you can look back and find little nuggets of the ebb and flow of the game where it could literally have turned on any play--missed opportunities, converted plays, big stops, everything. It really was a classic game--though one we should have won.

I took a look at the play by play, with an eye toward a closer analysis of the phenomenon I mention above--the operatic storyline of a closely played, important football game.

1. Omar Jacobs is credited with a first quarter TD he apparently didn't score.
2. UT recovers their own fumble on the ensuing kickoff--a huge momentum play if we get it, score and get the home crowd rocking.
3. We block the UT punt on the same possession, but throw incomplete passes (note a theme here) on second and third downs to fail to capitalize. Again, a score here, and the crowd's rocking and we could be off to the races.
4. On a 4th and 10 from our 26, we hold Steve Odom inches short on a pass, and take the ball over. Again, UT handing us a key opportunity, if we capitalize.
5. Starting on our own 17 (after the Odom 4th down play), we are inside UT territory after four running plays. Then, on 3rd and 1 from their 30, we get an illegal motion, throw an incomplete pass on third down and then punt from their 35 (a touchback). A key missed opportunity where passing failed to convert.
6. On the next possession, we have a chance to get off the field. Its third and 7 from their 23. Instead, Bruce and Odom get 8 and keep the drive alive--a major factor later when we were tired in OT.
7. On our 15, UT fumbles. We get yet another opportunity to capitalize on their error. Instead, on 3rd and 3 we get a replay-review incomplete pass to Ruiz that was initially a fumble and have to punt.
8. UT recovers their own fumble on the 34--a huge play if we fall on it. To the contrary, Broussard rips off 28 yards on the very next play, and Odom ties the game three plays later on a 29 yard TD pass.
9. Next possession (starting with 1:11 on the 2Q clock), we get the ball. We are in UT territory in two freaking plays! We get down to their 19, take a sack, and then have a FG blocked. Big momentum for UT.
10. First drive of the second half. We get a three and out. Unfortunately, we are called for a roughing the kicker penalty, and UT capitalizes with a FG to take the lead.
11. Next possession, on the combination of a short kick and a penalty, we start on our own 44. This time we capitalize and get the TD (14-10) on a few rapid fire plays and a UT personal foul. Where was that before the half--and later?
12. Next possession. On 3rd and 5, Bruce throws incomplete. We are heading off the field, maybe to take control of the game. Mayberry is flagged for a personal foul, and UT again converts with a TD (17-14).
13. BG takes the kickoff on its own 30. Two lays later, we are on the UT 38. After a pass interference and a catch by Derrick Lett, we are first and goal. Two incomplete passes and a poor run, and we have to settle for a FG where I am sure the Rockets would have scored (17-17).
14. UT comes right back, scoring a TD on a three play drive including a 46 yard pass to Odom. (24-17).
15. BG comes out and throws three incomplete passes, and the D is put on the spot.
16. BG's defense comes through and gets the stop with a sack on 3-11.
17. To our credit, we take advantage of this one, going 71 yards in five plays to tie the game @ 24.
18. The D comes out and gets another stop, with a Parks sack on 4-7 from our 32.
19. Again we take advantage. In four plays, we moved from our 38 to the UT 23. PJ ran it three times to the 11 and then Sanders scored. We lead (31-24 with 7:56 left). One more stop and it might be over.
20. Not this time. UT converts a 3rd and 10, makes a 3rd and 10 into a 4th and 1 that they make, and then they score to tie the game (31-31). Clutch 6:13, 14 play drive on the road staring defeat in the face for UT.
21. We have 1:43 to try and win the game. In two plays, we are at midfield. On 1st and 10 we ran our guaranteed 10 yard WR screen, where we throw it to Sharon, and Sanders and Rob Warren block and Chuck powers down the sideline. This time, Omar throws it at his feet. On second down, Omar throws a ball so wild that it hits the defender in the numbers--and is not intercepted only because he isn't looking. On third down, PJ Pope stretches to the chain, only to be about six inches short of a critical first down. We're going, run the sneak, but there's an illegal motion penalty and we punt. OT. (Perhaps the most critical decision in the game. I was in favor of punting, but perhaps that was the wrong answer. Maybe you take the shot and go.)
22. In OT, there isn't much to say. We traded quick TDs. Then on 3rd and 6 we threw a crappy one yard pass to Sharon surrounded by six guys. UT goes for the kill and wins.
23. Somewhere in there, Steve Odom dropped a sure TD pass way behind the defenders.
    

See what I mean? The whole game was a tapestry of missed chances, converted chances, some defensive stops, but in the end, a Rocket team that figures out how to win.

The Rockets may end up with the MAC's second bowl bid if NIU beats Akron as expected. More power to them. They are the MAC's most consistent and dominant team and they deserve credit for it. Our program has to strive just to be that good. Meanwhile, we got 1-3 in MAC games at home, whereas UT has lost twice at home in something like 30 games.