Georgia State Up First for MBB

 Some quick notes:

• This is the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge. BG is 3-3 in the challenge, and Georgia State is 4-2.  The SBC has never lost the challenge, with 2 victories and 1 tie.
• They are the Panthers.
• BG beat Georgia State in their only meeting in 2008 at a tourney in Minnesota.  It was the first game of Orr's second season.
• Georgia State's new coach is Jon Cremins, the nephew of longtime coaching great Bobby Cremins.  It is his first D1 head coaching gig.
• He has 1 returning player, 11 transfers and 3 FR.
• They are picked 10th in the media poll and 13th (out of 14) in Blue Ribbon.
• Georgia State is a 3.5-point favorite.
• Jacob Meyer is their lead player.  He's 1st team all-SBC pre-season.  He is a UAB transfer, where he scored 12PPG on 41% (!!) shooting and 30 assists.
• Jaden Jackson transferred from South Dakota State.  He scored 12.3 PPG on 40% shooting and 81 assists.
• Eric Parnell transferred from Farleigh-Dickenson, and averaged 10.7 PPG.
• Their other projected starters are Jacon Fedson-Cole, who averaged 5.5 last year, and Mason Nichelson (6'10"), who came from Vanderbilt, where Cremins was an assistant.
• Others include AJ Smith, who was playing well at Temple before he got injured for the year.
• Terrance Dixon, Jr. transferred from Southern, where he scored 9 PPG.
• Georgia State has appeared in the NCAA Tourney 6 times since 1991. :(

Falcons Fall Again

 On the road for a family wedding, so probably won't get the full treatment today.  I did listen to the full game with Todd and John while we were on the road.  They do an outstanding job.  Gibby has really matured into a great analyst...he uses his knowledge as a football player to help understand what BG is doing right and wrong.

The upshot is that BG played the defending champs very well. They are a very good team, and we gave them a lot to handle.  The defense rebounded after last week and that kept BG in the game.

BG didn't win the game because after they scored on the first drive, they didn't get another TD.  There were 7 punts, a turnover, 4th down stops, whatever.

The offense was exposed because we just don't have the players.  Dendy was out, which doesn't help, but even so, the line is simply too young (coach called it "baptism under fire") and/or unable to block the run or protect the pass. Also, the line is down a key starter who gutted it out yesterday, but clearly was struggling. Katernick is the guy we need because he's good and feeling pressure and extending plays.  But as Gibby said "imagine what he could do it we blocked for him."  And we remain thin at WR..on a lot of those scrambles there was no one open.

So, if you're going to win that game, you have to be mistake-free. And that means not allowing an 82 yard TD run, not missing an easy FG, not grinding the way down the field to let the HB throw a pass, not throwing a key INT late in the game.  There are more...but...the simple idea is that parts of this team are not bad, but they are not good enough to carry the parts of the team that are bad.

We head into a 10-day break, which gives everyone a chance to talk to their agent.  (He says, kind of cynically).  The season is over.  At 2-7, there will be no bowl game.

How do the guys react?  I will say this.  I don't agree that our guys are dead.  They are playing hard in every game.  All of the losses except the P4 games were games we could have won. We didn't...but we have been competitive with everyone else.

I am as sure as I can be that Coach George will be back.  This year, year two, is not a year where you fire the coach, especially one who started late in year one. The team has not quit on him and I think we are close to being back.  Who stays, who comes in via the portal, those are key.  And I do think we can improve the coaching.  Some run/pass flexibility is important until the line can support the cloud of dust offense. There are some bizarre play calls.  Coach expressed confidence in Coach Nosal as a line coach...I think it's hard to call plays for a team that can't block.

It hasn't been a terrible season, not like a couple years ago when we were getting destroyed every week.  Let's beat Kent and then head to the Glass Bowl.

Happy Halloween to the Falcon Nation

 

MBB Preview

 As the leaves fall, as it gets dark earlier, it becomes basketball season...and BG sports pick up an additional rider.  As you know, I follow MBB on this blog, so let's take a look.

The overall idea is that you build teams today, not programs.  BG has only six newcomers this year, joining six holdover players.  The Falcons were picked 7th in the MAC poll, 9th by Blue Ribbon, and 12th by Kenpom.

Not to worry.  Here is what Blue Ribbon said about last year's team:

Bowling Green climbed 145 spots in the KenPom rankings and 130 spots in the NET last year. The Falcons wound up fourth among MAC schools in KenPom (144) and fifth in the NET (159).

So let's look at this year's team.

The team has played one exhibition game—a close loss at WKU.  Using the player rotations from that game as a clue to how things will start, here we go.

Starters

Christ Essandoko...has played at St. Joe's, Providence and South Carolina.  Played 18 minutes.  Simon called him a perimeter five and says he can shoot it.  He's 7'1" and 290.

Tristan Beckford...6'7".  Simon says as good an athlete as there is in the MAC. Was a big star for the Canadian junior team but didn't play much for UCF.  27 minutes, 10/10 in the WKU game.

Josiah Shackleford--our best returning player.  Played 30 minutes, 16 points. 

Juan Cranford--from EKU, big shooter, made 36% from 3FG there.  Played 17 minutes at WKU, 0-3 from 3FG.

Jayden Johnson, 6'1" G from SC State.  13.4 PPG and 37% 3FG shooting there.  Played 16 minutes.

Substitues:

Preston Squire, returnee.  I think this will be a surprise for Falcon fans.  A pleasant one. Squire has sat the bench for two years with injuries.  He was highly touted out of JUCO, where he was going to be the new Spurgin.  Jason, right.  Coach said he's healthy, down to 240, 10% body fat, and ready to be a problem at perimeter five. "He has looked really, really good," said Simon.  22 minutes, 8 points and 11 rebounds.

Camden Karel, returnee.  Big-time HS player in Michigan, did play last year.  He's 6'9" and played 10 minutes with 2 blocks.  Squire's emergence could cut his playing time.

Makhi Leach, returnee, guard.  Didn't start but played 22 minutes.  I think he has a shot to start at the point and surely is in the mix.

Trey Simmons is the 24-point scorer from Frostburg State.  Didn't practice this summer due to rolled ankles, played 14 minutes.  

KJ Torbert--FR G, Michigan's Mr. Basketball.  He played 20 minutes, scored 12 points on 5 of 8 shooting overall.  Tremendous upside here.

Leek Atney--Fr. He's 6'11" and a 9'3" reach.  He played 2 minutes.  Did not get to BG until August.

On Roster, DNP, No idea why.

Zach Howell, 6'5" F/G from Drury. Averaged 18 PPG.

Talen Staley, Fr. G from SC.

Aiden Goins...returnee.  Load on the inside.  Had a few moments last year.

BG usually starts with a bunch of guys who look like they can contribute and then Hunger-Games the roster down to 7-8 in the rotation.

------------------

So here's the thing.  Coach Simon got here talking about scoring and shooting the 3FG.  His recruiting has followed that trend. Yet, BG has been 7th, 10th and 5th the last 3 years in offensive efficiency. And 6th, 8th, and 10th from 3FG.  Guys with stellar 3FG shooting records come into the Stroh and suddenly are average or worse.

Same is true this year.  New guys are almost all scorers and 3FG shooters.  We will see.  They were 6-25 in the exhibition.

BG has played good defense.  Their mystery match-up web zone does seem to throw teams off.  The Falcons were 2nd last year in defensive efficiency in the MAC.

They were also #2 in defensive rebounding, which is key.  BG wants to run the ball, and to do that, you need rebounds.  We were middle of the pack in forcing turnovers.

Lastly, about the MAC. While NIL seems to be gutting football, it appears to be a blessing for MBB.  MAC is the #12 ranked conference this year. That's the highest since 2021, when it was a typical ranking. When Simon got here, we were #24, and it was #23 the year after that.  When Simon got here, the MAC had 7 teams under 200 on kenpom.  This year are are 2. (BG is #200).

That's especially relevant this season, when the MAC goes to a true round-robin.  Now, 22 games will be MAC games, starting in early December.  I think this is a good move...we are replacing NAIA and little-known D1 teams with meaningful games in our conference.  Also, given the scheduling issues, it is probably the only available move.

Teams will be under pressure to put things together quick, especially with all the turnover.  But there's also plenty of time to turn things around.

Also, we're back to double byes in the MAC tourney after UMass ruined everything by beating Miami.  The regular season matters more now due to the byes.  But, nothing matters more than 3 wins at the Rocket.

No one expects this to be BG's year.  I do like Coach Simon and I think he's the right guy to coach us in this world.  I don't suspect we will ever look that good on paper.  But that doesn't mean it won't happen.

Next Up: The defending champs

Next up is a real test.  WMU is the defending MAC Champion,   They were 10-4 last year and are in that one-loss logjam at the top of the standings.  Of course, we all know the story with the Michigan game. They beat Monmouth and Rice, and then a big G6 showdown with Boise State in Kzoo, which they lost 32-7. They beat UB, Kent and CMU before falling just short at UT last weekend.

BG has won 4 of the last 6 against WMU.  In fact, Taylor has never beaten Bowling Green. This is the first game in which Coach George has faced the Broncos. BG won the last meeting 31-13.

The Broncos have one of the better funded programs in the MAC. You can tell because MAC OPOY Broc Lowry and RB Jalen Buckley (two-time All-MAC, MAC FR of year) keep coming back.

They are tough to beat at home...despite having some real down periods, they have won 62% of their home games at Waldo.

MAC Stats: MAC Only.

• Buckley is #4 in rushing yards and #8 in yards per carry.  He has 73 carries, one of 5 high-load backs in the conference.
• Lowry is #3 in passing efficiency and #20 in rushing yards. 
• Aveion Chenault is #9 in yards per game receiving.
• Josh Franklin is #2 in KOR, and has scored.
• They have the #2 punter in the MAC (Ryan Millmore).

So a few thoughts.

• WMU is the #2 rushing defense in the MAC.  It would be a huge surprise if this was the game when BG started to regularly establish the run.
• On the other hand, BG leads the MAC in passing efficiency and WMU is #9 in passing defense.  This would seem like an opportunity, but in fairness, we didn't generate those numbers in a pass-first offense.
• If they do, they are facing a WMU team that leads the MAC in sacks.  Blocking will be key.
• WMU runs a lot....63% of total plays.  They are OK on yards per rush (#3), but also have volume to work with.  BG is #8 in rushing defense.  It's going to be key for us to win these battles for 60 minutes.  Against a similar offense, we did OK for a while with UB but eventually wore down.  Also, Lowry is probably the best running QB we have faced in MAC play.

WMU is a 12.5-14 point favorite.  That seems right, but games like this turn every day.  It will start on defense.

Answering Coach's Challenge

Coach made a challenge today...he challenged someone (in the media) to compare BG last year after four MAC games to this year.  I jumped right on that.  And he was right...we are improved over last year.  The orange-shaded sections are improvements over last year...the unshaded are neutral or got worse.

There is no doubt.  This team has made incremental progress.  Four games into 2026, we are 2-2 in the MAC.  We are #2 in scoring, #5 in yards per play. We are #10 in yards per carry and #1 (really!) in passing efficiency.  We are #8 in scoring defense, #7 in yards per play. #9 in yards per carry allowed and #7 in pass efficiency defense.

So, we are better.  We are a top-five offensive team and solidly middle-of-the-pack on defense.  Over many years, all those close losses combined with steadily improving numbers would have told us that we were making progress.

My question is this: what is the role of continuity in today's football?  How do you account for steady improvement when you might lose 50 guys every year?  We lost a ton of guys when Loeffler left and we remain, you know, middle of the pack.

About that.  First, Coach said today that we couldn't run last year because of how bad the passing was.  In fact, the passing is much better, but the running is actually worse.  And, we really hadn't seen Dendy take over yet last year at this time.  This isn't a big surprise.  We have a fully new line this year and I believe inflated hopes to run the ball.

Now, can we keep the line?  Keep the RB stocked?  We shall see.  We have 34 HS FR from this fall, almost none of whom have played.

Note that the team remains relatively healthy.  One recent injury was to James Thomas on the OL, which brought Caden Campbell in to play important snaps for the first time.

Coach said something about consistency today.  I'd just make a point here that I think that is the key...along with depth.  It isn't that the defense didn't win their share of battles against Messiah Burch.  Without the 73-yard TD, he averaged 3.5 yards per carry.  The problem is, we didn't win enough.  And football is the kind of sport where you let that guy loose once, it can cost you a game. And, those first half stops took a toll on us physically, and we don't have the depth to rotate guys and stay effective.

The offense was the same.  There were good moments, and then there were three terrible drives in the second half and a terrible two-minute drive.

Bowling Green Football: First Four MAC Games, 2025 vs. 2026

2025: Ohio, Toledo, Central Michigan, Kent State. Delta = 2026 minus 2025. Light orange = improvement. Unshaded values are neutral, unchanged, declined or unavailable.

Bowling Green — Offense & Team Statistics

Statistic	2025	2026	Delta
Scoring
Points scored	75	117	+42
Points per game	18.75	29.25	+10.50
First downs
Total	67	79	+12
Rushing	30	27	−3
Passing	30	38	+8
By penalty	7	14	+7
Rushing
Attempts	158	135	−23
Net yards	605	502	−103
Yards per rush	3.83	3.72	−0.11
Yards per game	151.25	125.50	−25.75
Yards gained	753	562	−191
Yards lost	148	60	−88
Rushing TDs	4	5	+1
Passing
Attempts	99	105	+6
Completions	60	74	+14
Completion %	60.6%	70.5%	+9.9 pp
Net yards	660	874	+214
Yards per game	165.00	218.50	+53.50
Yards per attempt	6.67	8.32	+1.66
Yards per completion	11.00	11.81	+0.81
Passing TDs	5	8	+3
Interceptions thrown	6	4	−2
Total offense
Total yards	1,265	1,376	+111
Offensive plays	257	240	−17
Yards per play	4.92	5.73	+0.81
Yards per game	316.25	344.00	+27.75
Conversions
Third down	24/58	24/48	—
Third-down %	41.4%	50.0%	+8.6 pp
Fourth down	1/7	1/2	—
Fourth-down %	14.3%	50.0%	+35.7 pp
Red zone
Scores/trips	9/9	12/14	—
Scoring %	100.0%	85.7%	−14.3 pp
Touchdowns	6	9	+3
TDs per trip	66.7%	64.3%	−2.4 pp
Turnovers
Fumbles–lost	4–1	3–0	—
Interceptions thrown	6	4	−2
Total turnovers lost	7	4	−3
Special teams
Punts	20	13	−7
Punt yards	781	473	−308
Gross yards per punt	39.05	36.38	−2.67
Net yards per punt	37.31	34.31	−3.00
Punt returns–yards	9–35	2–7	—
Yards per punt return	3.89	3.50	−0.39
Kickoff returns–yards	13–297	6–134	—
Yards per kickoff return	22.85	22.33	−0.51
Field goals	4/5	4/5	—
Field-goal %	80.0%	80.0%	0.0 pp
PAT kicks	9/9	15/15	—
Penalties and other
Penalties	34	16	−18
Penalty yards	296	166	−130
Penalty yards per game	74.00	41.50	−32.50
Sacks allowed	10	10	0
Sack yards lost	80	67	−13
Average possession time	30:29	31:00	+0:31
Points off turnovers	7	Not reported	—

Opponents — BG Defense & Special Teams

Statistic	2025	2026	Delta
Scoring
Points allowed	109	93	−16
Points per game	27.25	23.25	−4.00
First downs
Total	75	77	+2
Rushing	37	34	−3
Passing	30	34	+4
By penalty	8	9	+1
Rushing
Attempts	156	153	−3
Net yards	721	669	−52
Yards per rush	4.62	4.37	−0.25
Yards per game	180.25	167.25	−13.00
Yards gained	806	786	−20
Yards lost	85	117	+32
Rushing TDs	8	6	−2
Passing
Attempts	83	97	+14
Completions	53	59	+6
Completion %	63.9%	60.8%	−3.0 pp
Net yards	717	665	−52
Yards per game	179.25	166.25	−13.00
Yards per attempt	8.64	6.86	−1.78
Yards per completion	13.53	11.27	−2.26
Passing TDs	5	4	−1
Interceptions thrown	2	0	−2
Total offense
Total yards	1,438	1,334	−104
Offensive plays	239	250	+11
Yards per play	6.02	5.34	−0.68
Yards per game	359.50	333.50	−26.00
Conversions
Third down	16/47	19/52	—
Third-down %	34.0%	36.5%	+2.5 pp
Fourth down	3/6	6/9	—
Fourth-down %	50.0%	66.7%	+16.7 pp
Red zone
Scores/trips	11/12	12/12	—
Scoring %	91.7%	100.0%	+8.3 pp
Touchdowns	9	7	−2
TDs per trip	75.0%	58.3%	−16.7 pp
Turnovers
Fumbles–lost	6–3	3–3	—
Interceptions thrown	2	0	−2
Total turnovers lost	5	3	−2
Special teams
Punts	21	15	−6
Punt yards	813	647	−166
Gross yards per punt	38.71	43.13	+4.42
Net yards per punt	35.60	38.67	+3.07
Punt returns–yards	3–20	3–27	—
Yards per punt return	6.67	9.00	+2.33
Kickoff returns–yards	7–104	8–105	—
Yards per kickoff return	14.86	13.13	−1.73
Field goals	3/4	7/9	—
Field-goal %	75.0%	77.8%	+2.8 pp
PAT kicks	14/14	8/8	—
Penalties and other
Penalties	33	25	−8
Penalty yards	268	245	−23
Penalty yards per game	67.00	61.25	−5.75
Sacks by BG defense	5	8	+3
Yards lost on BG sacks	30	36	+6
Average possession time	28:57	29:00	+0:03
Points off turnovers	14	Not reported	—

Source: Four 2025 MAC game books and the 2026 four-game conference team-statistics summary. Neutral raw counts are not automatically considered improvements.

Past and Future Opponent Land

Sep. 5 Tarleton State Texans (8-0)  Beat West Georgia #1 in FCS

Sep. 12 Nebraska (5-2) Idle

Sep. 19 Iowa State (3-4) Smoked by Arizona

Sep. 26 USF Bulls (5-2) Idle

Oct. 3 Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (5-3) scored in last 2 minutes to beat CMU

Oct. 10 Sacramento State Hornets (1-7)   Lost to Ball State.  First eliminated MAC team

Oct. 17 Ball State Cardinals (3-5) Beat Sacramento State

Oct. 24 Buffalo Bulls (5-3) They beat us

Oct. 31 Western Michigan Broncos (5-3*) Lost to UT

Nov. 10 Kent State Golden Flashes (3-5) Wagon Wheel Secured!

Nov. 20 Toledo Rockets (6-2) Beat WMU

Nov. 28 UMass Minutemen (4-4).  Lost to UConn

MAC title race is typically hot.  Halfway through (mostly), OU is 4-0, and UT, WMU, UB, and Miami are 3-1.

MAC vs. FCS: 12-1

MAC vs: P4:  1-17

MAC vs G?: 6-11

BG Still Not Good Enough, loses to UB

Watching a UB back shred a BG defense felt unpleasantly familiar.  This time it was Messiah Burch, who went for 184.  Other times it was Patterson for 298, Patterson for 301, McDuffie for 166 and Washington for 155....players are different--on both sides of the ball--but the pattern mysteriously continues.

This was a typical 2026 BG game: close enough to make us think we're not that far away and forget we are 2-6 and 2-2.  And, it ended with BG running down the field to catch up in a maddeningly bizarre 2-minute drill....and failing.  (We have had some good ones....but this was incompetent.)  And there were times when the offense drove the ball Woody Hayes-style and looked good, then moments when they looked completely lost.

The first half went really well.  BG had forced UB to punt 3 times, and scored twice, once on a 9-minute drive.  With 2 left, BG was up 14-7 and I tweeted the following.

28 minutes in, this is as well as BG has played on both sides of the ball this season.

— BGFalconBlog (@BGFalconBlog) October 24, 2026

I knew better.  I did.  But I really felt we were playing well, in a style we wanted, and in a way we could replicate.

 And then...Off a 29-yard Kingston punt, UB drove 63 yards on 9 plays.  The key play, as I was taught at BGSU, was foreshadowing.  BG had been containing Wright with a disciplined pass rush, but it broke down, and he ran for 39 yards to the BG 14.  They scored a couple of plays later on 3rd and 10, their second 3rd-down conversion of the drive, and it was tied heading into the half.

BG had the ball and went 3-and-out.  But they had one last chance to control the game when Myles Bradley forced a sack, Eriq George recovered the fumble, and BG had the ball on the UB 30 and scored three plays later, hitting Amarchee on the same play Kastantin overthrew last week.  Wide open again.  BG led 21-14.

Everything else from here is no good.

UB drove 75 yards in 6 plays.  Not one third down on the drive. Overall, 2:02. Burch with 39 yards on the drive and the score.  21-21,

Hey, it's still tied!  BG comes out, gives up 14 yards over 1st and 2nd down sacks, and Kingston nails a 47-yard punt to put them at their own 37.  They went on a long drive, 12 plays, 10 of them runs.  Yet, they converted a 3rd and 2 with a pass.  Finally, it was 2nd and 4 on the 11, and George took Messiah down for a 2-yard loss.  Wright was incomplete on 3rd down, and UB kicked a FG.  24-21.  Could have been worse.

BG had a chance to get back, but went 3-and-out.  And then Burch took it 73 yards to the house to make it 31-21.

BG gets the ball with 12 left in the game.  Need a score. Instead, on 3rd down, Kastantin throws an inexplicable INT into four defenders. They start on our 38.  Defense gets the stop, and BG is kept alive when UB's probable all-MAC K missed a 47-yarder.

Give JK credit.  He rallies.  He moved us down the field, a 23rd yarder to Jacon-Duffy and a 21-yarder to Kemp.   BG has it 3rd and 2 on the UB 8--obviously, a TD is key here--but the FB dive only gets 1 yard and BG hit a FG to make it 31-24.  At least it's one score.

UB gets the ball with 3:33 left.  Obviously, they think they can run the clock out.  They convert a 3rd and 7 (that hurts) with 3:07 left and then end up 4th and 1 at our 37.  They go for it, Wright tries to go up the middle, and George and Hines hit him for a loss, and BG had a last life, but with 1:02 to play.

The rest is best forgotten.  Kastantin scrambled up the middle twice for 7 yards that ate up :41. I almost felt it was like a basketball team encouraging the ball to be thrown into the corner.  He runs up the middle against 7-8 men dropping; how bad can it be?  BG did convert the first down, and then it was 1st and 10 from the UB 42, and BG threw the next pass 3 yards and in-bounds, and the game ended.

That was bad.

BG had periods where they ran the ball well, but you can see that UB had a significant edge. BG was clearly better in the pass game, but UB had probably their best pass game of the year. BG lost the turnover and explosive play battle, and UB's special teams were stronger than BG's, as expected.

Why do we alternate kickoff guys?

Red zone and 3rd-down conversions were a wash.  UB made some big ones, to be sure.

There were no real individual standouts for BG on offense.  Pringle, Pascal, and George had big games individually on defense.

Bowling Green vs. Buffalo

October 24, 2026 | Final: Buffalo 31, Bowling Green 24

Statistic	Bowling Green	Buffalo
Yards per rush	3.44	6.12
Yards per completion	11.42	9.77
Completion percentage	70.4%	61.9%
Yards per play	5.41	6.10
Third-down conversions	8/15 (53.3%)	8/15 (53.3%)
Red-zone points per trip	5.67	6.00
Turnovers	2	1
Explosive plays	5	8
Explosive-play yards	124	221
Special Teams Index	0	+3
Penalties (number-yards)	2-17	0-0

Explosive plays: rushes of 10+ yards and completed passes of 20+ yards. Special Teams Index uses the BG Football zero-based scoring system.

So, we are playing out the string.  I think I had us 4-8, and that is possible

UB Preview

The beat goes on....two teams will play in Buffalo Saturday with one loss each in MAC play.  The loser will go from slim chances at the MAC title to none.  The other will stay alive, on paper.

Pete Lembo is coaching the Bulls.  He's our old friend from Ball State back in the Clawson era.  He's a solid coach, went 9-4 in his first year in Buffalo, and then 5-7 last year and 4-3/2-1 thus far this season. 

They won a close one in the FCS game, lost @FIU and @Penn State, won a close one over Robert Morris, lost by 3 to WMU, shocked Toledo, and then beat UMass in OT.  They have had 4 games come down to 3 points.

UB has won 6 of the last 8 in the series.  Leipold delivered 3 straight blowouts, Linguist had a blow out and BG lost 28-3 last year.  As for that one, it wasn't pretty.  BG didn't score until the last quarter.  Drew Pyne made his last appearance in a Falcon uniform, and Najm finished the game. BG managed only 216 yards in that one.

MAC Leaders:

• Chance Morrow is the #2 WR with 37 receptions #3 in yards, #1 in TD (6) at 11.9 per reception, which is nothing huge.
• Phillip Folmar is #4 in KOR (24.7) and Miles Greer is #8 in punt returns (7.6).
• Ethan Stumpf is #2 in punting.  He has 44 punts and 12 of them are over 50.
• Oliver Hautanean is #1 in FGs, 12 of 15 with a long of 52.
• SaVeon Brown is #4 in tackles.
• And, finally, their RB.  Messiah Burch is an actual Bell Bull.  He has 118 carries, #2 in the conference.  He has 5.6 ypc, which is #5 among backs with high attempt numbers.  He leads with 661 yards.

Which leads us to the preview:

So, some keys.  

UB has lost 7 fumbles. At -4, it's unusual to have a good record as they do.

BG's defense is at the bottom of the MAC.  Now, we've been gashed by some P4 teams and showed some ability to get stops against G6 and MAC teams.  And then we got pushed around by Ball State last week.  UB runs the ball a lot--more than we do.  And they have a lead back who is very effective and used to work.  Which team shows up for BG might decide it.

BG's offense is pretty anemic. UB is not great defensively.  They can be run against.  BG needs to establish the run to get the offense going, if for no other reason than we are not going to give up on running either way.

QB play could be key.  UB's QB1 is out for the season and QB2 has not been great.  If BG can control the line, it will make it tough.

UB's special teams are good, so BG has to hold their own there.

UB is a 3.5 point favorite, which is essentially home field.  Last week was a disappointment, and this week is harder.

Past and Future Opponent Land

 Sep. 5 Tarleton State Texans (7-0)  Beat Central Arkansas.  #2 FCS team

Sep. 12 Nebraska (5-2) Lost to Oregon

Sep. 19 Iowa State (3-3) Idle

Sep. 26 USF Bulls (5-2) Beat Kent 29-2

Oct. 3 Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (4-3) Beat Akron

Oct. 10 Sacramento State Hornets (1-6)   Lost to OU, chartered them home

Oct. 17 Ball State Cardinals (2-5) Ugh

Oct. 24 Buffalo Bulls (4-3) beat UMass in OT

Oct. 31 Western Michigan Broncos (5-2*) Beat CMU

Nov. 10 Kent State Golden Flashes (2-5) Lost to USF

Nov. 20 Toledo Rockets (5-2) Beat EMU

Nov. 28 UMass Minutemen (4-3).  Lost to UB

MAC vs. FCS: 12-1

MAC vs: P4:  1-17

MAC vs G?: 6-10

Sadness Accrues. Hard But Fair.

Sadness Accrues

That one will leave a mark.  What a shame.  Beautiful day. Despite being 2-4, despite OSU playing Indiana, we put 20K in the seats for that game.  And it was pure #maction.  A wild and entertaining game.  Or, more accurately, a wild and entertaining finish, if you were anything but a BG fan.  It was heartbreak for us.

And yet, when the wash settles, we lost at home to a 1-5 team when we had three walk-off chances on defense and spit the bit twice.  To be who we hoped to be, we really needed this one, and we did not play well enough to win.  Coach says we need to execute, which is true.  I think this team is flawed on offense and can't win consistently in the trenches.  You can only execute so much.  And play calling...sure, but I don't think the offense has enough players. It's not fair to ask your defense to bail you out every week, and the defense got bullied in the trenches, too.

As Coach said, it was "hard but fair."

The two teams traded punts to start.  Starting from their own 9, BSU went on a 10-play, 69-yard drive that lasted nearly 6 minutes.  (This was a game of long drives and running clocks).  They converted a 3rd-and-11, then were on the BG 22; BG snuffed Luster up the middle, and BSU had a FG to go up 3-0.

BG recovered its own fumble off the kickoff.  They say fumble recoveries are mostly luck, so note that BG recovered its own fumble twice. There is 3:15 left in the first.  BG made 2 first downs before being forced to punt from the BSU 36.

Here's a hidden thing.  The teams traded punts.  BSU had a 56-yard punt.  BG had a 34-yard punt.  So, the Cards are on their own 37.  A 29-yard completion got them to the 8, and Luster ran it in from there, making it 10-0 with 7:07 left in the 2nd.

The high point of the game came on the next play, as Kastantin hit Ridley on an inside screen, and he went 77 yards for a score to make it 10-7.

You are hoping to see that turn the momentum in BG's favor, and the Falcons did get a 3-and-out.  Then, they started on their own 25 with 5:11 to play...and took an 11-play drive...to cover....44 yards.  That's right, 4:22 of possession netted BG a made 49-yard FG attempt.  (and a 3rd down fumble).

OK.  Tied, BG gets the ball.  BG drove to midfield, took a sack, and then punted BSU to their own 4.  Even now, you have to feel like we are in good shape.  Except we weren't.  Ball State took a 10-play drive, covered 96 yards, and scored 6 minutes later to make it 17-10. They faced ZERO third downs.  Luster scored on a 28-yard scramble.

Obviously, you don't like this team playing from behind.  BG hit Jacon-Duffy for 24 and got a roughing the passer call and then a 10-yard Dendy run and BG was at their 18. Then BG missed two opportunities at QB.  On 2nd down, Kastaintin overthrew a wide-open TD to Amarchree, and on 3rd down he threw into an area with at least 3 defenders and underthrew it at that; it was a red zone turnover.

We're in the 4th now.  BSU went on a 7:00 drive, this time converting 3 third downs before the defense stalled the drive and BSU punted into the end zone.

From their 20, with 8:36, you see something important about Kastaintin.  Right after those two poor passes, he came out spinning it and running it.  He hit Marchree for 6, ran for 9, hit Sharp for 19, and hit Dendy for 6.  It's 2nd and 4 from the BSU 35 with 5:30 left.  Dendy gets hit by an unblocked defender for a 3-yard loss; Kastaintin ran for 5, and it was 4th and 2 with 4:12 left on the 33.  

Play of the game, obviously.  They have Kemp in.  Everyone thinks run, but they sent Kemp wide left, hit him with a pass, and he gained 15 yards.  Another Dendy 3-yard loss, but Scoby gets it to the 8, and on 3rd-and-goal, Kastaintin hits Jacon-Duffy for the score.  17-17 with 1:12 left to play.

You're thinking, OK.  OT.  On BSU's next play, Luster ran up the middle for 10 yards, but Pascal poked the ball free, and Banks had his second scoop-and-score in consecutive weeks, and BG was up 24-17 with 1:01 left and a chance to absolutely STEAL THIS GAME.

Alas. Starting on their own 22, BSU marched down the field.  A 19-yard completion.  From the BG 45, they go deep and have separation, so BG interferes.  They end up on the BG 20 with :05 left.  BG makes the stop--FROM 20 YARDS--and the game is over.

I see lots of teams send the house in this situation; BG rushed four with six guys lined up on the goal line.  Luster dropped back.  The pocket narrowed, but he still had space to escape.  He drifted to the left.  Hohlt ripped right across the face of the BG defense and found half the end zone completely unguarded, despite BG being in prevent.

So, onto OT.  BG scored on 4 plays and had the lead.  BG had a 4th and 1 from out 16 (walk-off opportunity #2) and converted.  They ran to the one and scored on the next play. The Cards lined up to go for 2. Luster drops back; Pringle rushes up the middle, gets grabbed, and is delayed.  Luster scrambles right and throws the ball into a tight window to Scherle, who makes a great play to keep his feet in.  Sanders Ellis was there (I mean, right there), but he didn't turn his head until the ball was essentially there.

2026 BOWLING GREEN FOOTBALL · POSTGAME REPORT

Bowling Green vs. Ball State

October 17, 2026 · Doyt L. Perry Stadium · Overtime

BG 31  –  BALL STATE 32

Game statistic	Bowling Green	Ball State
Yards per rush	2.80	5.71
Yards per completion	12.65	12.19
Completion percentage	70.8%	66.7%
Yards per play	5.31	6.59
Third-down conversions	5/12 (41.7%)	5/12 (41.7%)
Red-zone points per trip	4.67	7.33
Turnovers	1	1
Explosive plays (count)	4	12
Explosive-play yards	121	213
Special Teams Index	+7	−2
Penalties (number–yards)	5–60	6–57

A few notes:

• The key to the game was Keldric Luster, who, according to the coach, got healthy this week after being injured.  He showed running he has not shown this year, with 125 yards on 17 carries and no sacks.  Further, outside the pocket, he bought time and made plays, including the two biggest plays of the game.  If BG can keep him in the pocket, they win. 
• BG was beaten in the trenches on both side. They held BG's top two backs to 3.7 yards per carry, and they sacked Kastantin 4 times.  BG had 215 passing yards, but if you subtract the pass to Ridley and the sacks, they averaged 4.4 yards per dropback.  Meanwhile, TJ Horton averaged 5.1 yards per carry, and Luster wasn't sacked.
• Even so, BG had a chance to steal the game.  The 2-pt play?  I think it was a pretty good play by BSU.  But the 4th-down play...that was a complete lack of discipline and cannot happen when you are in prevent mode. The whole concept is to trade pressure for coverage.
• BG's special teams were good.  They had a big KO return by Kemp, stuck BSU inside the 20 3 times, and made a long FG, getting touchbacks on 3 of the 5 kickoff attempts.

So, what for 3 games looked to be a team turning itself around is now a team more or less playing out the string.  In the past, this was a developmental opportunity, but who knows how many of these guys are already looking to the portal.  

But Coach was right.  This was a fair outcome. And that's probably the saddest way to look at it.  On to Buffalo and then WMU. 

There's a huge amount of noise out there.  Part of it is people who think Loeffler was underappreciated. (Reminder, we didn't fire Loeffler). And part of it is people watching what's happening.  I will say this...the MAC is creaking, and this might be the Last Dance. There are haves and have-nots, and structurally we are a have-not.  And we're not the best have-not right now, and the vector doesn't appear to point there. (For example, he's not playing a 4th-string QB this year.)  I'm not ready to give up on  this staff...but there's little to point to right now.