Falcons Run Ball, Win Game

BG beat Kent 31-20 yesterday, in a game where we pulled out everything we had to eventually defeat the Flashes. On many levels it was a good effort, and while Kent got their yards, we made stops when we needed them. You have to feel good about the win, and with Miami's loss, we might climb right back into it.

The big news, as noted in all stories, is that we ran the ball most of the time on Saturday. In fact, today was the nightmare scenario many Falcon fans had feared. Tyler was just not on his game. He had some good spots, but missed a lot of open receivers, held onto the ball too long, and showed some lack of confidence. He didn't turn it over--which is really important.

Tyler was 14-25 for 184 yards. In contrast, we ran the ball 32 times.

So, stranded in Dix Stadium without our passing game, we had to turn to the run. Mind you, we're playing the best run D in the conference. And, our linemen and Willie Geter got it done. Willie ran for 203 yards on 22 carries--the first 200 yard rusher at BG since PJ Pope and just 22 yards short of the school record. He broke a big play when we were pinned deep in the second half. He was simply fantastic.

All credit to our line as well. Coach said in the post-game that some nice holes were open and Willie found them. It saved our ass yesterday (that's me, not Coach).

If we can consistently run the ball---and then get Tyler's confidence back--we just become really tough to defend.

We were clearly determined to win this game. We also faked a FG for a first down, and then ran the old double pass to AT for a touchdown. We then tried an onside kick that didn't work out, but all in all, we were clearly ready to do what we had to do to win.

Our defense has to be pleased with its effort as well. Kent State--with one of the top 10 running attacks in the nation--was going to get its yards. But, after the first drive, we kept them from just eating us alive, and made three goal line stands and that won the game for us.

Kent was going to get their yards--Jarvis and Edelman are both incredibly elusive players. We managed to keep them off from putting too many points on the board.

Case in point. Jarvis was 33 for 168 overall. However, on Kent's opening drive, he was 10 for 63. We tightened up after that--23 for 105 and a 4.5 average. Edelman also had 100 yards, and ran around like crazy on us. (Sadly, he broke his arm late in the game and is out for the season).

Keep in mind that these results come on the back of a badly injured D-line. Joe Schaefer played with guts. True freshmen Nick Torresso also was in a lot of plays. The d-line showed up under adversity.

The goal line stands:

1st Q. 1st and goal at 4. This is Jarvis' first drive, where he had dominated us like Miami's back did, but here, he was stopped for a one yard loss, and two one yard gains. Kent kicked the FG.

Flash ahead, 3rd Q, BG up by 8. Kent has it 3rd and goal from the 8. Edelman takes it to the 3 (but we do contain him), and then they bring in Andre Flowers who is stacked up on fourth down and we take the ball over.

Finally, 4th Q, we're up 15. Kent completes a big pass and has first and goal on the 8. We had just scored to go up by 15, and this was a big momentum moment. Jarvis ran for 4, then Edelman threw an incomplete pass. They went back to Jarvis on third down, and we held him to one yard, and then on fourth they threw another incomplete pass, and we took over on downs again with 7:28 left in the game.

So, we give up 254 rushing yards, but we avoid getting torched, make big stops inside the 5 and we win the game. Nice job D.

One final note. Late in the fourth we're up 8 and its 4th down on the Kent 32. Last year's team almost certainly goes for it, and gives the ball up. This year, we send our Vrvilo for a FG--a 49 yarder. And he drills it to put us up two scores and take the pressure off the D.

Man, does that feel nice.

On to the Bobcats. We gotta keep winning, but at least we're back at home again. OU lost to Toledo last night, but our team can't take anyone for granted. Let's hope that having a running game will open up some passing lanes, and Tyler can start to feel a little more confident and then we can move the ball like we know we can.