Jinks: "Can't Get Out of Our Own Way"

It is hard to think about now, but during the second half of last night's game, you get the idea that things we coming together for the Falcons...and maybe we were going to salvage something in the conference season.

Entering the half down 7, BG forced a turnover on Akron's first play from scrimmage.  Off a short field, BG scored in four plays with a Morgan-Clair big play on a throwback and the Falcons had tied the game. 

The defense got a three and out.  The offense got the ball on its own 15 and moved up the field with one of the best drives of the season, a 12 play drive that ended in a FG that gave BG the lead 23-20.

It was the first time BG had led since the 2nd quarter of the Michigan State game.  That's a WOW.

Anyway, you're getting the ball moving, you are getting off the field, you're at home...you just have to feel like you have things going in a positive direction.

Then, it wasn't like that anymore.

Akron marched right down the field against the BG defense, 63 yards in 7 plays...featuring two big pass plays and they scored a TD to go back in the lead at 27-23.  BG led for 2:36.

BG got the ball back with 4 minutes left in the 3rd.  The Falcons did what they needed to do at first, again moving the ball.  Converted a 4th and 1.  Andrew Clair make a good run to the 24 of Akron.  BG was called for holding.  On the next play Clair fumbled and the Zips recovered, and it was again feeling like the first four games.

Then, Clint Stephens made a great play to get a pick on Akron's first play and the game is still in play.  BG goes three and out and then the defense forces Akron to punt.

BG starts its drive with about 10 left.  BG converts a 3rd and 4, but then on 2nd and 3 from its 36, BG made the mistake that sealed the game, with Morgan checking from a run to a pass that ended up a pick 6 that had coach very frustrated after the game.

BG got the ball right back and went three and out and then Akron got the ball back with about 7 left and basically ran the game out.

As Coach said, "we can't get out of our own way."  Akron made two second half turnovers...on our field...they were offering us the game and the Falcons made 2 right back and one of the "catastrophic."

BG outgained Akron.  BG's backs had 5.9 yards per carry.  Morgan had a decent game, probably his best game of the year, completing 61% with 2 TDs.  On defense, they allowed 27 points, held Akron to 56% completions.  It was far from a great defensive performance but it wasn't awful. 

All that is lost in one pick 6 and one Akron drive after BG took the lead.  You perform on those two possessions, and the picture is different.  Not that we played great the rest of the time either, just for all the stuff that had gone wrong, you had a shot to win a game that was pretty even statistically and instead when you really need it you don't get execution.

That's how football works.  And that's why consistency matters most.  Coach will say that's partly confidence.  I can see that.  We're also young.  The question is this...is our execution better than it was one year ago?  Or is it worse?  Or the same?  Right now, feels like the same thing, over and over again.