Worst Day Ever

There's no way to sugarcoat it.  That was awful.  BG was demolished in a rivalry game where it felt like they might have a shot.  At any rate, you'd think you'd be competitive.  Or you'd want to be.  But we were not...it wasn't even close.

On offense, UT completely controlled the line of scrimmage.  Absent a few Terion Stewart runs (which UT eventually sorted out), BG could not run the ball.  UT had everyone close to the line of scrimmage, daring McDonald to go over the top, which he couldn't do because everything he did with any kind of drop back resulted in an onslaught of Rocket lineman.  The short passes were thrown in the teeth of the Rocket defense and went nowhere.  Entering the 4th Q, BG had 66 yards of total offense.

On the other side, BG was also overwhelmed on the line of scrimmage.  They started out getting some stops but eventually UT just took over.and finished with 539 yards total offense against a defense that started the season as a pleasant surprise. (Note that BG was playing without Bryce Brand and Davon Ferguson, two impact transfers.)

There was a brief moment when it appeared to be a game.  Candle had gone for it on 4th down in his own territory--which was idiotic--and BG had gotten the stop and scored their only meaningful touchdown.  

The defense got a stop and then UT shanked its punt and BG had a short field again.  They drove to the redzone and took a virtually uncontested 11-yard sack leading to a Nate Needham 47 yard FG.

So it is 14-10.  BG gets a stop and it isn't feeling too bad...but due to a personal foul BG starts on their own 5 after the UT punt.

The next sequence is as bad as it can be.  (Note that UT is getting the ball to start the second half).

BG gets out to the 25 but gives up a 3rd down sack and punts.  UT starts on their 46.  4:30 left in the half.  UT scores in 3 plays, less than one minute.  21-10.

On the UT kickoff, BG commits a personal foul and starts on its own 12.  3:34 left to play.  First down false start, Steward loses 6 on third down.  BG punts, UT starts on their own 41.  2:32 left to play.  

UT scores on a one-play 59-yard TD pass.  28-10.

BG has the kickoff on its own 21.  Falcons go 3 and out, including a sack, and UT uses time outs, so only :26 elapses.

After BG's punt, UT has the ball on their 35 with 1:32 left...which they cover in 4 plays in a :37 drive to go up 35-10.

THERE IS STILL OVER 1 MINUTE LEFT!

BG is able to finally run the clock out, but the game is over.  To cap it off, UT takes the second half opening kickoff and goes 75 yards in 11 plays, aided by a pass interference call, and made it 42-10.

It was as dreadful a 10-minute segment of football as we have had.  A defense giving up big plays, one after another, and an offense unable to stay on the field.

Here's what Loeffler said:

“This is the first time this year that I could sit here and say that we were physically beaten in every phase of the game. We lost up front on both sides of the ball. Defensively we couldn’t stop the run, and then offensively we couldn’t get into our game plan whatsoever. We were facing a three-man rush taking sacks. They [Toledo] did a great job. They’ve done a great job recruiting, no question about it. They have big, strong guys, and we’ve got to catch them.”

There was one point I looked down on the call sheet and wondered which one we wanted to call.

It was an absolutely awful night...and he didn't even mention the stupid penalties. 

Short week to Oxford on Tuesday.  Miami is playing to set up a one-game showdown with Kent.