Happy Halloween!

 

Past and Future Opponent land, keyword Idle

Tennessee (4-4):  Idle

South Alabama (5-3) Beat Arkanas State

Murray State: (3-5):  Lost to Tennessee State

Minnesota (6-2) Beat Northwestern easily

Kent (4-4) Idle

Akron (2-6) Idle

NIU (6-2) Idle

EMU (5-3) Idle

Toledo (4-4):  Idle

Miami (4-4): Idle

Ohio (1-7):  Idle

MAC vs. P5:  3-17 

MAC vs G5:  7-9

MAC vs. FCS:  10-1

East vs. West:  6-2, West

Chaos Reigns, Flag Flies

Man, something about Buffalo that brings out the crazy stuff.  This was, of course, the city where the Reggie-Witherspoon-Buzzer-Banging event happened...and the game at the Doyt where Gregg Brandon blew a late lead and ripped the crowd.

This one fits right in.

It is hard to know where to begin, except with the big picture.

BG responded to the EMU debacle with a strong performance and that's what I think we all wanted to see.  Getting the win was great, but BG bounced back and played a very flawed but competitive game and ended up with a win.  It was what we hoped to see and we got it.  It wasn't pretty but there was a lot that was good about it.  It was 728 days between conference wins.

Everything else was pure craziness.  It was just killing me.

Exhibit one is the offense.  BG scored 56 points....on 11 first downs!  That's a wow.  According to BGSU, since 2002 there has been only one other instance of a team getting 50 points on 11 or fewer first downs.  So that's another way we were breaking records...(more on that).  (UB had 36 first downs, a very high number, for contrast).

BG hadn't scored 50 since OU in 2015.

And no one would have thought it would have been this year, either.  Prior to BG had a high output of 27 against Murray State.

It was indeed the big play that did it.  BG has relied on big plays for offense all along, but they were generally not getting all the way to the house, which was leading to a lot of FGs.  In this game, BG converted those big plays into points, along with a couple of turnovers.

Here are BG's touchdowns:

• McDonald to Sims, 81 yards, when the UB player was ejected for targetting on a play where he failed to bring Sims down.
• Embry 1 yard run.  Drive featured a 36 yard run by Stewart and 27% of BG's first downs.
• McDonald to Sims from 6 yards, off an INT
• McDonald to Broden from 64 yards.  Two play drive, other was a 21 yard run.
• McDonald to Broden for 30 yards, first play off an INT.
• Terion Stewart 77 yard touchdown run.  One play drive.
• Terion Stewart 20 yard run after UB gave it up on downs on their own 13.
• Matt McDonald 47 yards after a fake kneel down (where he probably should not have scored.

My head is swimming.

Terion Stewart was just fantastic.  BG as a team averaged 8 yards per carry, something they have not done since 2015 (Ball State) and only 4 times since 2000.  He had 170 yards on 11 carries.  His 20 yard TD run came immediately after a TD run that was called back.  On his longer-TD run, he got to the edge and out-ran the angle from a couple of defenders.  It was amazing, he doesn't look that fast but he had another gear to be sure.

And for all the complaining about McDonald, he made the plays in this one.  He was 13 of 19 for 263, which means 20 yards per completion.  When big plays were there on over-the-top plays, he made the throws.

You could have made a lot of crazy predictions about this one.  None crazier than BG scoring 56 points, kicking no FGs and having 11 first downs.

I think this is what we needed and I'm proud of their resilience.

There is still room to improve, he says, pulling on his collar.

Starting with penalties.  Starting with the head coach, who got 2 unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and became the first FBS coach to be thrown out of a game.  (Somewhere, Dakich is smiling).  After the game he said:

“It's a great learning experience for every single person involved. And you know, I gotta do

things better. But I also know exactly what was said and exactly what was done. As the leader, I got to be better, but I think it's a great learning experience for every single party involved here.”

When he said it, he emphasized the word "exactly."  And, you know he means "every single person" to include whatever ref was involved.  For my money, when I think back to epic tantrums I have seen on the sideline, (Bo Pelini, for example) that didn't even draw one flag much less an ejection, I just didn't see that.  Certainly, he deserved one for running down to argue with the ref, but I can't imagine there weren't 100 worse infractions since the rule was put into place.

He wasn't the only one.  BG had 15 penalties for 177 yards.  When UB got the ball back after the ejection, BG had four penalties on five plays, including 2 unsportsmanlike and DPI.  Two were on Devin Taylor.  It was an ugly sequence in the game.  BG is #124 in the nation in penalties (out of 130) and the only team with more in the MAC is UT. It continues to be a problem and will need to improve as BG matures.

And the defense?  They did get 2 turnovers that essentially won the game, so that was a positive.  UB ran 99 plays...that's just amazing.  That's actually 5 yards a play, which isn't an especially great number but they stayed on the field.  They were 8 of 18 on 3rd down and 2 of 3 on 4th.  They got 7 first downs from BG penalties.  BG had 11 total.

BG also had 6 sacks. (In all the chaos, don't forget that Vantrease was injured in the first half and did not return, a clear advantage for the Falcons.

It was just a different offensive profile.  Their lead back, McDuffie, had 166 yards with a long of 18.

In the 4th Quarter, though, it did seem that BG slowed down a little--probably from fatigue after so many plays against them.  (Davon Ferguson was DNP).

Also, another punt was blocked.

Just a crazy day.  49 points in the 4th Quarter.  It can be as crazy as it wants to be...this team needs wins and we will take it.

25 Questions, 24 that don't include Jarret Patterson

 

What is their body of work?

UB was terrible in football for a very long time.  They started to come around under Turner Gill, had a very poor period under Jeff Quinn, and then blossomed under Lance Leipold, who has now vamoosed to Kansas.  Their new Coach went from the Dallas Cowboys to UM, where he was going to be an assistant but moved to UB before even coaching one game.  They were picked to be #4 in the East, and are 4-4 and 2-2.  They have beaten Wagner, Old Dominion, and then Ohio and @Akron, in the last 2 weeks.

UB has beaten BG without mercy the last four years, with a 173-66 scoring margin.  The Bulls are a 13.5 point favorite

How many seniors and juniors on the two-deep?

They have 30.  Very experienced, especially given that a number of guys left with Leipold.

Who are their statistical leaders? (Top 20 Nationally)

James Patterson is #8 in total tackles.

What is their turnover ratio? 

They are +3 so far.

Offense

How is their QB play?

He's OK. #8 in the MAC in passing efficiency on 11.5 yards per reception, signally a high percentage mix.  8 TD and 4 INT.  He can run the ball.

What is their scoring and yards per play

They are #2 in the MAC in scoring and only #6 in yards per play.

Can they run the ball?

We can all be thankful that Jarret Patterson, who gained 599 yards in his last TWO meetings with BG, is now with the WFT.  They are 4th in the MAC in yards per carry.  They have the #3 and #9 rushers in the MAC.  Dylan McDuffie is their lead rusher at 5.7 yards per carry and 7 TD.

Do they pass the ball?

They are #7 in passing efficiency.  Their top WR is Quian Williams, with 44 catches so far.  They don't have any big play WRs.

How is their run/pass balance?

They run on 59% of their overall plays, obviously a run-heavy mix.

Do they convert on 3rd Down?

So with the scoring ranked higher than yards per play, you usually see a high 3rd down conversion rate and you see it here.  They lead the MAC at 47%.

Do they score in the red zone?

The same is true on red zone, where they lead the MAC at 5.5 points per trip.

Do they protect the quarterback?

It's very good.  Sacks on 1.7% of pass attempts

Defense:

Topline: Scoring and yards per play

They are #4 is scoring defense and #5 in yards per play allowed.

Do they defend the run effectively?

They are OK.  They are #6 in yards per rush allowed.

Can they be passed on?

This is their weak point.  #10 on pass efficiency defense.  They allow only 59% completions, but 14.6 yards per completion, which is a lot.  There are 11 TDs over 3 INT.

Do they get off the field on 3rd down?

OK...they are 7th.

Do they defend in the red zone?

They are pretty good at 4.3 points per trip.  

Do they pressure the QB?

OMG.  They get sacks on 13% of opponent pass attempts, with 11 in the last game alone.  If BG doesn't manage this, nothing else will matter.

Special Teams:

Punting?

They are last in the MAC in net punting.  No TDS, they have been blocked twice.

Punt Return?

They are 6th in the MAC in punt returns.  No TDs.  No blocks.

Placekicking? 

He's ok.  He's 8 of 14, but there are 3 misses over 50.  Long of 45.

Kickoff? 

Opponents start on the 26.  No TDs.

Kickoff Return?

They start on the 29.  No TDs.

Intangible Miscellany

So UB has won 2 straight and BG has lost 3 straight.  On the road against a team that has just killed us...it's not looking great.  You mostly just want to see BG get back to being competitive.  Another butt-whupping will be tough.

Loeffler Presser

So I watched the Loeffler presser.  He was quiet, to be sure.  Two things I noted.

First, he was finally asked the QB question....had he considered trying someone else?

To no one's surprise, he said "absolutely not."  He said that the things that went wrong in the passing game were "out of his [McDonald's] control."  He specifically cited tipped balls which happened when the D-line had pushed the o-line directly on top of him.  He said that these are things "the average fan doesn't see."

So there you have it.

Much of the rest of the presser talked about leadership.  One of the things Loeffler wants to work on this week is players doing something the first time they are directed.  That's a shocking thing to hear, frankly.  He says it is maturity.  I guess that's a form of it.  Someone was in the comments recently saying some of it is on the players, and this is a good example of that point.  I also wonder if it doesn't point to a lack of "internal competition" as Clawson used to say.

On to Buffalo.

Past and Future Opponent Land

Tennessee (4-4):  Played Bama tough for 3 Quarters.

South Alabama (4-3) Lost to UL-Monroe

Murray State: (3-4):  Destroyed at home by Austin Peay

Minnesota (5-2) Beat Maryland

Kent (4-4) Beat Ohio

Akron (2-6) Lost big to UB

NIU (6-2) Last second FG stuns CMU

Buffalo (4-4): Crushed Akron

Toledo (4-4):  Beat WMU, got win they had to have

Miami (4-4): Won at Ball State

Ohio (1-7):  Lost to Kent

MAC vs. P5:  3-17 

MAC vs G5:  7-9

MAC vs. FCS:  10-1

East vs. West:  6-2, West

Oh the Humanity

 

There's not much to say about the EMU game, except this: there was absolutely nothing redeeming about it.  Every part of it was awful.

These are not just my opinions.  Here is Coach Loeffler, quoted in The Blade.

“We’re not going to let last year’s play creep back in, but it was the first time this season that I’m disappointed.  We took steps backward, and it felt like last year. Come hell or high water, that’s not occurring, and it did, and that’s my responsibility. Our program is moving in the right direction, but it sure as hell didn’t move today, and that’s the facts.”

Here's Matt McDonald:

“The game is hard enough as it is, and when we’re shooting ourselves in the foot, we just don’t give ourselves a chance.  This was the first time where I felt like we had no fight in us and we kind of gave up, so that was disappointing because we really haven’t done that the rest of this season.”

Somewhere else Loeffler said it was like 2020 all over again, and it totally was.  That's 100% accurate. It was just like the worst season in program history. 

He went on to give all the "it's on me" talk.  Which is kind of obligatory and in the coach playbook.  

It has to be more than lip service, because it is on him.

We have been asked to be patient with the process.  And while there was progress--even baby steps--I was willing to continue that patience.  

But we can't regress. And yesterday was a 100% regression.

I understand that our undersized lineman will get blown up.  I understand our players may not make the plays they need.  I understand we lack depth.

But regardless of skill, the team makes too many pre-snap penalties. Too many missed passes.  Too many mistakes, some of them game-changing.  Those things shouldn't be happening anymore, on a team that is making progress.  And they are.  Coach says that is on him and he's right.  And if he's the coach we think (or hope) he is, he's going to need to get it fixed.

The defense was at one point a relative strength.  They started out well yesterday, but then Creighton said that they figured things out and it was off to the races.  They are a good offense and they showed it.  Meanwhile, BG's offense is as anemic now as it was earlier.  Part of that is not going to get fixed this year, but they made it harder on themselves with mistakes and when plays are there they are too often not getting made.

I never thought we would win much this year.  And we haven't and we won't.  But you wanted to see movement in the right direction.  The last four games will be the test for that--@UB, UT, @Miami, OU.  We have played the better teams in our division tough.  When we don't beat ourselves, we are at least competitive.  That's all I am asking for in the last four games. 

And it truly is on Coach Loeffler's shoulders to at least get that much happening. This can be a turning point--a look back to where we finally turned the corner--or it can be proof that the doubters were right.

25 Questions From the Factory

 

It's a Water Tower

What is their body of work?

EMU has always been a tough place to compete.  When Chris Creighton came in, they had 18 straight non-winning seasons.  17 of those seasons were 4 wins or less.  Further, he took over after the Ron "Sh*tbird" English debacle.  He went an Arthish 3-21 in his first two years.  In the next five years, to present, they are 31-22 with 3 bowl game appearances.  He has had the most sustained success since Jim Harkema was there in the late 80s/early 90s.  Again, it's the low bar, but it is something.  They are 4-3 this year and 1-2 in the MAC.  The wins are St. Francis, UMass, Texas State, and Miami, with losses to Wisconsin, NIU, Ball State.  Interestingly, they had only one P5 opponent this year.

BG and EMU have not played since 2017. Creighton is 2-0 against BG and the Eagles have won 3 of the last 5.

How many seniors and juniors on the two-deep?

They have 25, which is pretty experienced.

Who are their statistical leaders? (Top 20 Nationally)

Ben Bryant is #19 in completion percentage,

Jake Julien is #12 in punting

Hassan Beydoun is #17 in receptions per game

What is their turnover ratio? 

They are -1 so far.

EMU Alum

Offense

How is their QB play?

Their starter is Ben Bryant, a UC transfer who moved to EMU last year.  He's very good....#2 in the MAC in passing efficiency, with 66% completions on almost 13 yards a completion, a very efficient approach.  7 TD over 2 INT.  He does run a little.

What is their scoring and yards per play

They are 3rd in the MAC in scoring offense and 9th in yards per play.  That's a very unusual spread that we usually reveals itself later.  We know it isn't turnover margin.

Can they run the ball?

They are not great.  They are 9th in the MAC in yards per carry.  Darius Boone has the most carries, but not great yards, while Jawon Hamilton (UCF-James Madison) is 5.5 yards per carry on fewer attempts.

Do they pass the ball?

They are #3 in passing efficiency.  See above.

How is their run/pass balance?

They run on 53% of their overall plays.

Do they convert on 3rd Down?

Yes, the do, 2nd in the MAC.  This helps explain the gap between scoring and yards per play

Do they score in the red zone?

They are good at 5.3 points per red zone trip.

Do they protect the quarterback?

 Not really.  They give up sacks on 8.7% of pass attempts...I have a little concern that offenses have figured out BG's stunting fronts that helped with the Minnesota win, but this would be a good time to get that rolling.

Defense:

Old School

Topline: Scoring and yards per play

This is where you worry.  They are #2 in the MAC in scoring defense and #4 in yards per play allowed.

Do they defend the run effectively?

Not great.  They are 8th in the MAC in yards per carry allowed.  Of course, you have to wonder how well BG can take advantage of this.

Can they be passed on?

They are pretty solid.  #3 in the MAC in pass efficiency defense, allowing 54% completions, 5 TD over 3 INT but 12.7 yards per completion.

Do they get off the field on 3rd down?

OK...they are 6th, allowing 38% completions.

Do they defend in the red zone?

They aren't great, allowing 5. points per trip.

Do they pressure the QB?

Pretty good, 7% of pass attempts

The Factory

Special Teams:

Punting?

They lead the MAC in net punting.  No blocks or TDs allowed.

Punt Return?

Very poor.  7 returns for -4 yards.

Placekicking? 

Good not great.  About 67% with a long of 47.  Has been over 50 in his career

Kickoff? 

Opponents start on the 27.  No TDs.

Kickoff Return?

They start on the 25.  No TDs.

Intangible Miscellany

EMU is a 3-point favorite.  They are a tough matchup for BG's offense, since they excel at pass defense.  They are a strong defensive team and given our struggles to move the ball, even against NIU's low-ranked defense...that is not a good sign.  BG's defense has been showing signs of being figured out just a little....but EMU is a pass-first team, which is a good matchup going that way.  So, best case, probably low scoring.  BG takes care of the ball.  Maybe one of those long plays goes all the way.  This is one where you'd like to see us show progress with a win, but this is not the EMU we are used to and it will require a very solid effort, four quarters, etc.  Love to get one on our last home Saturday.

Football Updates

Some football updates.

Nate Needham won the East Special Teams Player of the Week award, which was well deserved after he kicked four FGs in the NIU game.  I wish we weren't relying on him so much, but he has done great work.

Coach talked about him in the presser.  He said he had called out Needham for his transformation in a team meeting.  He said that last year in practice he was "killing cheerleaders" by which I assume he means putting bystanders in danger with wild kicking, a very similar description to how Dave Clawson once described Stephen Stein. This year Needham has tremendous "urgency" which is the word of the day, but you can see the difference on the field.

He cited Needham to make a larger point.  It was interesting.  He said that this team is at least competitive but they have to learn how to win.   I remember Meyer saying that Lou Holtz told him the same thing...first a team has to learn how to compete than how to win.

And BG is at least staying in games, which we did not do last year.  It is a low bar, but it is progress.  

He said BG was going to win a couple more this year. That would surprise me, but it would also be an excellent demonstration of progress.

There are significant portions of the fan base that are very restless/angry with the situation and calling for Loeffler to be fired.  I think there is a zero-percent chance of that happening.  Having said that, I do get it.  You wonder why we aren't giving someone else a shot at QB, you wonder about some of the in-game tactical decisions that are being made and you wonder about the lack of transfers on offense, when we have seen what they have done for the defense.  You wonder why he "isn't calling plays" but you see the offense stand and stare at the sidelines while Loeffler has his head over his playsheet barking into the headphone.  You wonder why NIU has had such a fast turnaround and why Akron beat us with a team as young as ours.

While I don't agree, we should be grateful these people are so angry.  We have been so bad for so long that we risk having no fan base left if and when we are competitive again.  Angry fans at least still care.

Loeffler says we are on schedule, and that's how I see it.  I didn't expect us to be any good this year and we aren't.  If we were still getting regularly blown out, that would be a different issue.  But at least there is some indication of progress.  As far as I am concerned, you can't make a move until at least the end of next season.  But I do get it.  If you commit to a long turnaround, you have to give it time, but it's also a complete disaster if it flames out.  

Past and Future Opponent Land

Tennessee (4-3):  Lose to Ole Miss, fans shower field with garbage, Kiffin cracks wise

South Alabama (4-2) Beat Georgia Southern 41-14

Murray State: (3-3):  16 4thQ points to beat SEMO

Minnesota (4-2) Beat Nebraska

Kent (3-4) Lost to WMU 64-31

Akron (2-5) Lost to Miami

Eastern Michigan (4-3)  Lost by 7 to Ball State

Buffalo (3-4):  17 4Q points stuns OU

Toledo (3-4):  Lost @CMU in overtime, program rift exposed in Blade

Miami (3-4): Beat EMU by 7

Ohio (1-6):  Ouch--blew big lead over UB

MAC vs. P5:  3-17 

MAC vs G5:  7-9

MAC vs. FSC:  10-1

East vs. West:  5-1, West

NIU Defeat--more thoughts....

 So a few thoughts.

NIU is a one-dimensional team.  They are going to run it.  And they did, with, in general, ruthless efficiency.  They threw only 8 passes.  Completed only 4.  Why would you bother?  After the game, BG cited doing better against the run in the second half, but it was 5.5 yards per carry in the first half against 5.3 yards in the second half.  The defense did get consecutive stops in the second half.  Yes, NIU was running to kill the clock, but they were one-dimensional the whole game anyway.  I don't understand why BG kept playing a two-deep alignment given how NIU plays.  I would think you would want to force Lombardi to try and beat you but that wasn't the approach we took.  

This was always a tough matchup for us--our DBs are the strength of our defense.  BG has not had a run-stopping defense in almost a decade.  I hope we are moving there but we are not there now--not a slam, but you could see it out there.  Also, NIU's leading RB did not play.  Jay Ducker, with 24 career carries for 85 yards, was 33 for 210 yards against BG.

The offense.  Woof.  We outgained NIU, FWIW.  There is no ability to sustain drives.  BG scored six times.  One came off a fumble, four others included at least one big play.  The only "sustained" drive was a 10-play drive that covered 28 yards.  Even the big plays led to FGs, because BG does not sustain even short drives.  Example.  After the McDonald 49-yard run, BG was on the 25 and did not make another first down.

The running game is improved.  Even removing the 49-yard run they averaged 4 yards a carry, which is far from great but we came in averaging half that.  Terion Stewart played.  We used some wildcat.

Here's the thing.  As the rushing game got better, we expected to see the passing game improve and it did not.  It was not good enough to win.  We completed 39% of our passes.  Sure, it was windy.  True, we had no INTs (or turnovers or the game would have been a blow out), but there was one pick-six that was completely dropped.  There were missed throws and dropped passes.  At least a couple knocked down at the line.  BG did connect some long passes, 3 of them for 134 yards.  Which leaves the other 38 passing attempts yielding 101 yards.  Less if you include the one sack.  He was hurried twice, though he did scramble out of the pocket a few times.

Don't get me wrong.  I love big plays.  But when we get a big play to the 25 we have to turn that into at least a chance at scoring a TD.  And that is not happening and it kept us from winning this one.  Coach said after the game that a close football game comes down to a few plays.  We got into the position to create those opportunities but didn't execute those key plays.

Needham and Naranjo are doing a great job.  The TD on the kickoff return might have been the most damaging play of the game.  Just can't let that happen when you have all our other issues.  We also had a short kickoff for no apparent reason and an OB kickoff.  Also, we had one return where we could have fair caught it, but didn't and ended up with a penalty and starting at our 8.  Also something we can't do with our issues.

I give our coaches credit for creatively working to run the ball.  The o-line seems to be improving, though it is still struggling on many plays.  Tactical decisions--like declining the penalty and no seeming plan to run a two-minute drill at the end and the two-deep alignment--are also holding the team back.

Another bad day in DeKalb

Another game, more sadness.  BG is certainly competing and is certainly better than they were last year, but they are just not ready to win yet.  NIU is much improved but young, which kind of makes it even a little sadder.  NIU was in control much of the way but BG didn't quit, had a better second half and eventually had the ball at the end with a chance to tie the game but couldn't execute a big play and it eventually died out.  We just aren't strong enough up front on either side and can't sustain anything on the offensive side of the ball.

NIU is a run-first team and it's pretty obvious.  They lived that identity yesterday, attempting only 8 passes--something we will see from OU as well.  They turned the ball over on their first possession--caused by Jalen Burton, making his first start and someone to keep an eye on--BG converted from there, which was a great thing to start with.  I give them credit, they put a lot of creativity and effort into getting a run game going.  We ran wildcats, we ran a TE for a TD, we looked for cut back lanes.  I felt like we had a game plan for trying to get some running going.

The next drive was a head-scratcher.  NIU--as they would for much of the day--had moved down the field with easily, 10 runs in 11 plays and they were on the BG 2.  The Falcons stop Lombardi for a one yard loss to force a 4th and 3.  NIU is called for holding and BG declined the penalty.  I just don't understand that.  I don't know if we assumed they would kick the FG, but you have to figure that they can make 3 yards, given the previous 10 plays.  We declined the penalty and they did indeed make the TD, albeit on a great effort by Lombardi.  Accept the penalty, their chances of making 13 yards are much less and it's far more likely to get them to a FG that way.

7-7.  BG went 3 and out and NIU went 73 yards on 6 plays to go up 14-7.

The teams traded punts.  BG got a big play from McDonald to Broden and was 2 and goal from the 5.  BG opted for 2 pass plays, one broken up and one dropped in the end zone and BG ended up kicking a FG.  When you look at why you're trying to run the lateral play on the last play of the game, you can look back to situations like this.  14-10.

(BG is 111th in the country in points per red zone trip and 10th in the MAC).

Then, BG kicked off and gave up a 100-yard kickoff return for a TD.  When you look at why you're trying to run the lateral play on the last play of the game, you can look back to situations like this.  21-10.

For the end of the half, BG got a good kickoff return from Taron Keith.  BG converted a 4th and 7 and had it on the NIU 26.  BG lost 5 yards on a bad snap and combined with two poor passes Needham kicked a 49 yarder on a windy day.

So it's 21-13 at the half.

NIU started out the second half with the ball.  After the kickoff was OB, NIU marched down the field (as you would have expected, 8 runs 1 pass) and they were inside the 10.  Here the defense at least kept BG in the game.  After 2 yards on 2 carries and a Devin Taylor break up, NIU was held to a FG, 24-13.

On the next drive, BG got a 49-yard run from Matt McDonald on a designed run.  It was the only successful play on the drive and BG had to kick another FG, 24-16.

NIU got the ball back and went 63 yards on 5 plays, including a TD pass, to go up 31-16.

After a penalty on the kick return, BG started on their own 8.  They went 3 and out and NIU started in BG territory after the punt.  They were on the BG 8 two plays later.  Anders then got a 2-yard TFL and we saw why declining that early penalty was such a bad idea, as Lombardi was incomplete twice and NIU added at FG 34-16.

So BG is down 18 just started the 4th.  Obviously, given that we had 16 points in the first three quarters, this would have to look like a difficult position to be in.  I give you guys credit.  I think past BG teams would have let the situation get the best of them, but not this time.  

McDonald completed a 54-yard pass to Embry and BG had it on the NIU 22 and a chance to get it going.  A 2-yard run and two incompletions left BG kicking a FG again.  34-19.

NIU rode a 34-yard run into BG territory but BG made a stop on 4th and 2 and had the ball back with 9 minutes left.  BG converted 2 3rd downs and had it on the NIU 36 and McDonald looked to Osborne.   Cursed by the football gods last week on a bobbling interception, Osborne was the beneficiary this time and made a great effort to get the TD and 34-26.

6 minutes left.  Aided by a penalty, BG gets a 3-and-out.  After a poor punt, BG started on its 40.  They made a first down to the NIU 41, but two incompletions, a sack and an incompletion on 4th and 17, NIU had the ball back and BG's best non-miracle winning chance was gone.

With 2:11 left, NIU was just killing clock.  They went 3 and out, forced BG to use its timeouts and punted the ball into the end zone.

BG had 1:02 for the miracle.  On first down, BG created an opportunity on a double-move but the ball was poorly thrown.  After that, BG was left throwing underneath passes, almost as if they were trying to set up the hail mary, and even when that happened they went for the lateral play instead.

So, a good comeback.  A team staying with it.  But a team still not ready to win.  I think that extends to the whole team--the return game, the offense (not only the QB) and the defense.

More to come.

25 Questions for Mission.....

Mission--who retired last month--and his understudy
Mini Mish, now Mission II

What is their body of work?

Through Novack, Kill, Doeren and Carey, they were able to sustain success across many seasons.  Things were getting a little soft before Carey went to Temple.  Keeping success moving after numerous coaching changes is tough (paging Jason Candle) and they did really well.

After Carey, they brought Thomas Hammock in, who is now in his third year.  They threw an 0-6 bagel last year and were picked to be last in the West, by a lot.

Lo and behold, that has not happened. They won @Georgia Tech and they won @UT last week.  They are 4-2 on the year, with additional wins over Eastern and Maine and losses to Wyoming and UM.

The two teams have not met since 2017.  NIU has beaten BG in 7 out of the last 10 meetings, dating back to the Meyer years.  BG's three wins are GameDay and the two MAC Championship games.

How many seniors and juniors on the two-deep?

There are only 9, which is astounding.  This is a young team with 32 people on their 2-deep with freshman eligibility.  BG has 16.

Who are their statistical leaders? (Top 20 Nationally)

John Richardson is #17 in FG% and #7 in FG/game.

Harrison Waylee is #8 in rushing yards per game.

What is their turnover ratio? 

They are -3 so far.

Offense:

How is their QB play?

Their starter is Rocky Lombardi, who transferred from Michigan State, where he made 9 starts.  He's not having a great year.  He is 13th in the MAC in passing efficiency, behind McDonald.  He has 57% completions, 5 TD over 6 INT and 11.8 yards per completion, the only number of which is decent.  He is a dual threat-QB, #11 in the MAC in rushing even with sacks.  They are very run-focused.

What is their scoring and yards per play

They are 5th in the MAC in scoring and #7 in yards per play.

Can they run the ball?

They can.  This is a point of maximum exposure for BG.  NIU is #2 in the MAC in yards per carry and #3 in rushing attempts.  Probably the best player in the MAC you never heard of....Harrison Waylee.  He leads the MAC in yards per game, averaging 114.  He is only in his second year at NIU, playing last year and had a couple 100 yard games last year.

Do they pass the ball?

Not well.  They are last in the MAC in passing efficiency.  

How is their run/pass balance?

They run on 66% of their offensive plays.

Do they convert on 3rd Down?

They are 8th, with 36%

Do they score in the red zone?

They are pretty good at 5.1 points per trip.  Only one empty red zone trip all season.

Do they protect the quarterback?

They do.  Sacks on only 2% of their passing attempts.

Defense:

Topline: Scoring and yards per play

They are 11th in scoring defense and yards per play allowed.

Do they defend the run effectively?

They are 10th, allowing 5.2 yards per rush.

Can they be passed on?

They are 7th in passing efficiency defense.  They allow 60% completions on 13.5 yards per completion, both of which are not great, plus 8 TD over 1 INT.

Do they get off the field on 3rd down?

They are 8th, allowing 42% completions

Do they defend in the red zone?

They aren't great, allowing 5.4 points per trip.

Do they pressure the QB?

They are decent, with sacks on 5.7% of passing attempts.

Fair Catch

Special Teams:

Punting?

They are 6th in net punting.  No blocks, no return TDs.

Punt Return?

Middle of the pack in the MAC, 9 yards per return.  No blocks, no TDs.

Placekicking? 

He's good...11 of 12, 4 of 4 over 40, long of 47, no blocks

Kickoff? 

They are 9th, opponents start on the 26.  No TDs.

Kickoff Return?

They start on the 26.  No TDs.

Miscellaneous: Overall atmospherics and intangibles.

Well, BG exceeded expectations for a while and then crashed back down to earth last week.  Meanwhile, NIU is exceeding expectations....maybe they crash down to earth.  The Huskies are 9-point favorites.  The matchup is tough.  BG will have to stop the run to have a chance to win, particularly on the QB option part of the run. NIU is not a great defensive team, but you'd think this would be something BG would not expect to be in a great position to capitalize on it.  So, on paper not a great matchup.  It will be interesting to see how BG rebounds from the Akron performance....will say a lot.

Brian Kilbane Enters the Portal

2020 OL Brian Kilbane has entered the transfer portal aftee playing in 8 games during his time at Bowling Green @rivalsmike https://t.co/bseF0hqLPO

— NCAA Transfer Portal (@RivalsPortal) October 11, 2021

BG O-lineman Brian Kilbane has entered the portal and he has been removed from the roster on the Falcon website.  Kilbane was reported to be in a tight battle with Malone VanGorder for a starting G job this year and VanGorder has gotten the start in every game this year. Kilbane remained on the two-deep and played in every game but one.

Kilbane was highly recruited out of Lakewood St. Ed's and you'd expect he will have options in the portal. 

Best of luck to him in the future.

Past and Future Opponent Land

 Tennessee (4-2):  Beat South Carolina

South Alabama (3-2) Lost in OT to Texas State

Murray State: (2-3):  Lost to UT-Martin

Minnesota (3-2) Idle

Kent (3-3) Beat Buffalo

Northern Illinois (4-2):  Beat UT at Glass Bowl

Eastern Michigan (4-2)  Beat Miami

Buffalo (2-4):  Lost to Kent

Toledo (3-3):  Lost to NIU at home, on homecoming

Miami (2-4): Lost to NIU

Ohio (1-5):  Lost to CMU--only win over Akron

MAC vs. P5:  3-17 

MAC vs G5:  7-9

MAC vs. FSC:  10-1

East vs. West:  3-1, West

Sadness Accrues

 Yeah, it was ugly.

No flag this week...and the best chance BG had of winning again this year.  Could still happen, but just a very ugly performance last week.

Tom Arth is 3-21 at Akron.  There's a win over Bryant and two over BG.  That's the whole list.

As Coach said after the game, that's how you lose a football game.  BG played about as poorly as you could play, up and down the line, against a team that for the first third of the game was distinguishing itself by playing even worse.

One key point came when BG scored to go up 10-0.  Akron fumbled on their first play from scrimmage and BG started on the UA 29.  They drove to the 10, converted a fourth down and were six inches from the goal line when they ran four plays that did not get into the end zone.  I agreed with going for it...you just gotta be able to make that and the Zips offense had been so bad to that point that you had to figure it was a good bet to leave them that deep if you didn't make it.

And that part worked out.  The Zips threw a pick and BG was back in business again.  Unfortunately, the sequence came to naught when McDonald was intercepted.  Is 13-0, should probably be 28 to nothing.

A couple possessions later, Akron drove 8 plays/70 yards for a TD.  The first warning sign was when a 59-yard TD pass was called back for an unrelated penalty, but the Zips scored anyway to go 13-7.

Way closer than it should be, but the offense bounced back.  BG drove down the field--mostly with the run--and got inside the 30, when McDonald hit Austin Osborne inside the 10.  Austin looked set to score but he bobbled the ball and it ended up right in the hands of the Zips.

From there, there was no bouncing back.

Akron drove to the BG 18 and stalled, BG blocked a low-kicked FG to end the half.

Akron, now operating with their 3rd string QB, drove 75 yards in 5 plays to score to take the lead 14-13

    BG fumbled on the first play from scrimmage

Akron took the short field and scored a TD, up 21-13.

    BG made a first down, took a 10-yard sack, made 2 net yards and punted

Akron took a poor BG punt, drove 57 yards in 7 plays to go up 28-13.

    BG made a first down, but stalled out and punted from mid-field to start the 4th.

Akron took the ball from its own 9 and scored on 10 plays to go up 25-13.

That was it.  BG scored a garbage TD, but it was over.  In one quarter, BG allowed Akron 3rd string QB and an o-line as young as BG's to march down the field without resistance while BG's offense failed to help out.

It was ugly.  Obviously, you don't win playing like that.

The tale of woe:

5 turnovers, plus the 4th down turnover.

McDonald was intercepted 3 times, sacked 4 times and hurried twice.  He also missed open receivers and even made poor throws on passes that were completed.  He was strip-sacked as well, as his slow arm action came back to haunt him.  He's certainly not the only problem out there, but it was by far his worst game this year.  Gibby said after the game that teams are leaving a safety under our post routes...he didn't adjust and (this is me now, not Gibby) BG doesn't have enough variety going downfield in its routes to change it up.

(I'm not yank-the-QB guy.  The backup QB is always the best player on the team.  Having said that, I wonder if Arth wishes he had gone to Gibson sooner.  I hope we don't have a blind spot here.  In 2013, Clawson had Schilz as his starting QB to start the year.  I also know I don't see practice.  I hope we don't have a blind spot.)

BG netted 233 passing yards on 39 attempts, less than 6 yards per attempt.  Also, 20 percent of that came on one play.

Zach Gibson, who came in when Kato Nelson was injured, was 14 of 15 for 177 and 3 TDS.  He also ran twice for 16 yards.

BG's tackling was terrible. A throwback to last season.

There were other things...drops, etc.

It was ugly.  Akron played badly and BG played worse.  It was a setback.  Maybe not unexpected, but painful to watch.  It doesn't get easier.  BG is playing NIU next--on the road.  NIU was picked last in the West, with nearly as few votes as BG had.  They won a P5 game (as BG did) and are 2-0 in the MAC, including a win in the Glass Bowl.

We are improved.  No doubt.  We shaved 13 points off last year's loss to Akron (gallows humor).  But we are better than last year.  But not even close to being good enough to consistently compete.

25 questions that rue the Roo

What is their body of work?

It is rough.  They won the MAC title in 2005 and have had exactly one winning season since 2005. They won the East in 2017. Over their last 23 games, they are 2-21, all the more sobering since one of the wins is over BG--the only FBS win in the whole 23 games.  They built a new stadium somewhere in there and it's pretty good but the team never seems to get better.

They are 1-4 this year.  The win is over Bryant, and the losses are to Temple, Ohio State, Auburn and OU--a team that was winless when they played.

They were picked to finish ahead of BG this year in the media poll.

How many seniors and juniors on the two-deep?

There is not a two-deep in their game notes.  They are #8 in the MAC in experience in Phil Steele and #57 in the country.

Who are their statistical leaders? (Top 20 Nationally)

DJ Irons is #14 in completion %

Charles Amankwaa #15 in interceptions

Bubba Arslanian is #6 in total tackles

What is their turnover ratio? 

They are -3 so far.

Gerry Faust!  Coached Moeller, Notre Dame and Akron

Offense:

How is their QB play?

When the season started, Kato Nelson was their starter.  He was injured all of last year and then started the first two games before getting injured in the Temple game.  Since then, the QB has been DJ Irons.  Irons played for Grayson in GA in HS, which is apparently a national power.  He went to EKU, left after a semester for Iowa Central Community College and now he is at Akron.  He's been an improvement.  He's #3 in the MAC in pass efficiency and he's leading the team in rushing.  He's also 6'6".

What is their scoring and yards per play

They are 10th in the MAC in scoring and yards per play.  BG, to no one's suprise, is last in both.  They are scoring 18.6 per game, BG 17.2.

Can they run the ball?

They do not.  They are 11th in the MAC at 3 per carry.  BG is 12th.  The good news is that Teon Dollard, who looked like Jim Brown against BG last year, is no longer with the program.

Do they pass the ball?

They are 2nd in pass efficiency.  This will be interesting.  He has completed 69% of his passes, 8 TD over 3 INT at 11.4 yards per completion, which isn't a ton but is pretty good.  Konta Mumpfield, WR, has scored 4 times.

How is their run/pass balance?

Sack adjusted, 50-50

Do they convert on 3rd Down?

They are 11th, one spot ahead of BG.

Do they score in the red zone?

They are not great at 4.2 points per trip. 9 TDs in 17 trips.

Do they protect the quarterback?

No.  A thousand times, no.  They are the most-sacked team in the NCAA, with 27 sacks.  This is a shocking number.  They have been sacked on 16% of their attempted passes.

The Akron team that beat OSU.

Defense:

Topline: Scoring and yards per play

They are last in the MAC in scoring defense--by a lot--and last in yards per play.  They average 7.7 yards per play allowed.

Do they defend the run effectively?

No, last place.  6.5 yards per carry allowed.

Can they be passed on?

Yes.  Last place.  74% completions, 9 TD over 2 INT and 11 yards per completion.

Do they get off the field on 3rd down?

They do not.  They are last in the MAC, under 50%.

Do they defend in the red zone?

They allow 6.2 points per trip.  They have zero red zone stops.

Do they pressure the QB?

They have 7 sacks (last) but that is 6% of attempts, which is pretty normal

Special Teams:

Punting?

They are 4th in net punting.  No blocks, no return TDs.

Punt Return?

Middle of the pack in the MAC, no TDs, no blocks.

Placekicking? 

Not much.  He's 3-4 with a long of 40.

Kickoff? 

Last in the MAC.  Opponents start on the 33.

Kickoff Return?

Has to be last.  They average starting on the 20.

These are the Goodrich overshoes that a student suggested 
as the inspiration for the Zips nickname.

"Rubber and dainty"  I can't even

Miscellaneous: Overall atmospherics and intangibles.

OK, here is the thing.  First, these are the two worst teams in the MAC, I think that's pretty clear.  Akron is just a little better than BG on offense and they are way worse on defense.  Their sack total should look very juicy to BG's stunting/blitzing defensive attack.  BG should be able to mount some kind of running game as well.  Having said that, last year Akron delivered a blow out victory--one of the lowest points in program history.  BG is much better and I'm not sure Akron is.  Unbelievably, BG is a 14-point favorite...we might not cover for the first time but I like us to win this one.

Past and Future Opponent Land

Tennessee (3-2):  Beat Missouri 62-24

South Alabama (3-1) Lost 20-18 to Louisiana--a very good team

Murray State: (2-2):  Beat Eastern Illinois

Minnsota (3-2)  Beat Purdue

Akron (1-4):  Lost to OU, led 17-10 and gave up last 24 points

Northern Illinois (3-2):  Beat EMU

Eastern Michigan (3-2)  Lost to NIU

Buffalo (2-3):  Lost 24-17 to WMU

Toledo (3-2):  Beat UMass

Miami (2-3): Beat CMU

Ohio (1-4):  Rallied to beat Akron...had to be very nervous moments there

MAC vs. P5:  3-17 

MAC vs G5:  7-9

MAC vs. FSC:  10-1

East vs. West:  1-1

Loss at Kent: Final Thoughts

Starting with the defense....they did exactly what I think you can expect.  They won some battles, made some key stops--after the fake punt and the Gazarek fumble, etc.  Kent is a run-focused team...and while Cooper had 120 yards it took him 31 carries to get there, which is under 4 yards per carry.  His long was 16.  Williams had 4.5 yards per carry.  These are not the numbers we are used to seeing.  Crum completed just over 50% of his passes for just under 10 yards a completion, also a decent day for the defense.  That's 4.7 yards per play for Kent.  Which is a winnable number.

Having said that, Kent ended up with 25 first downs.  They did have long drives.  While BG did a good job with the backs, they may have been overplaying it because when Crum kept the ball in the option he was highly successful.  There were no sacks, one hurry and no turnovers.  And they were 10 of 19 on 3rd down.

Overall, the defense continues to exceed expectations.  Kent scored 62 each of the last two years and had like 1,700 yards in the two games added up.  Almost everyone is back for them.  This was better but that's a low bar.  Winning is a high bar.  I think we will get there.

The offense continues to struggle.  BG's backs both had 5 yards per carry.  Sacks removed, BG was 3.8 yards per carry overall.  It's a small amount of progress.

As for passing, here is the thing.  McDonald completed 29 of 45 for 64%.  Thing is, BG is throwing a lot of short passes which are doubling for a run game.  So you'd expect a good completion percentage.  BG had 9.1 yards per completion, which is just very low.  It's 263 on 45 passing attempts.  If you count the 5 sacks as passing plays, its 220 on 50 plays...4.5 yards per passing play on 50 of the team's 72 plays.

Part of this is the offensive line, both on the running side and the passing side.  We're one-dimensional, we don't protect the QB and both of those things limit our ability to look down field.  I also don't think we got great play from McDonald.  He made some throws, to be sure, but he also left some out there, took a bad sack and threw a soul-crushing INT.  If the topline here is we are improved but not good enough to win consistently yet, I think that also applies to the QB position.

Broden and Osborne are also upgrades at WR.  Christian Sims is effective.  TE and WR were two positions with serious question marks but I think we will be OK there.

How about Nate Needham.  Dude nails 2, including a 52 yarder.  With our offense, we need someone like him to get points on the board.

Penalties were a problem on both sides of the ball.  I'm sure Sean Lewis is in a meeting yelling about it right now.  BG had 7 for 76...all of them seemed to be extraordinarily poorly timed.  BG is 11th in the MAC in penalties so far.

Next up is Akron, who lost to OU yesterday.  Game is at the Doyt and a chance to correct last year's 31-3 loss...possibly the lowest point in our program's history...at least in my memory.  Certainly in the top 5.

Falcons Fall to Flashes

The topline is this.  Bowling Green is better than they were over the last two years.  We hoped to see signs of progress and they are out there.  BG competed with a team that destroyed them the last two years. The Falcons were in this game--on the road.

Having said that, this team is not ready to consistently win.  There were just too many mistakes, too many holes (especially on offense), too many turnovers, too many missed opportunities.

Whether they get there or not remains to be seen.  I am optimistic.  We are ahead of where I feared we would be at this point.  But there is still more to be done.  As the team matures, you hope these things fill out.  

Kent State set the early tone right away, taking the opening kickoff and driving 75 yards to go up 7-0, with 6 of the last 7 plays on the ground.  Bowling Green took the next kick and put together a nice drive.  They were first and 10 on the Kent 16 with a chance to tie the game when you see what is happening.  On first down there was a hurried incompletion.  BG lost a yard on a pass play on second down.  Before BG could run the third down play they had 2 false start penalties.  And then McDonald couldn't find anyone open and had to scramble for 3 yards.  Needham 42 yd FG good.

Kent marched back down the field, BG stiffened in the red zone and a FG made it 10-3 (aided by a BG roughing the passing penalty when BG was off the field and an earlier face mask penalty).  BG took the kick off, marched inside the Kent 30...only to have McDonald take a 16-yard sack very similar to the one in the South Alabama game, running in the opening field, backing up, not throwing it away and eventually getting run down.  Even with that, Nate Needham hit a 52 YARD FG...that is tied for the third longest FG in BG history...he is only the 5th Falcon to make a FG of the distance or longer.  (School record is 60).  And his second over 50 this year.

Kent drove down the field again (see the trend?) but BG's defense stiffened in the red zone and it was another FG to go 13-6.  (My preview noted Kent is not good in the red zone).

The teams traded punts (PUNTS!!) and then BG had the ball on its own 12 with 3 minutes to play.  Kent had all their time outs.  This is a time when you need to make a couple first downs and keep Kent off the field.  BG made one first down but ended up 4th and 1 on its own 32.

Here BG made a fateful choice.  The Falcons attempted a fake punt that was wide open but did not connect.  My first reaction always is that you had to have a better shot running a regular play than doing that.  It was Naranjo to Karl Brooks.  After the game, Coach said that as much as we struggle on offense, we need to make plays like that (I'm guessing the McKinstry pass plays are in the same category).  "We are not naive to it," he said.

So Kent starts deep in BG territory.  They start with 1:40 left in BG territory.  They actually had a TD called back and the missed 33-yard FG (their kicker is not good) and the Falcons dodged the bullet and trailed 13-6 at the half.

BG was getting the ball to start the second half.  They said later they were pointing to this and they got it done.  They got some help from a huge play from Taron Keith--who is going to be a big contributor for this team--running the kickoff back 76 yards.  I honestly don't remember the last impact kick return we had.  BG got to the Kent 6 and had 4th and 1.  If you fake that punt, you have to go here, and BG did and converted and then scored, McDonald to Broden.  And it's a 13-13 tie.

Something crazy happened next.  Kent went 3 and out.  BG started on their own 35.  McDonald hit Broden twice for 15+ gains, BG benefitted from a unsportsmanlike conduct penalty when a Kent player spit on one of our guys (kudos to ESPN for capturing the spray effectively) and Nick Mosely ran a 12 yard run into the end zone.  Lo and behold....BG was ahead 20-13.

And then as they say in those rockumentaries....the laughter turned to sadness.

Kent drove 75 yards in 3:30 or so and tied the game.

BG fumbled on the first play from scrimmage.  The defense holds.  BG starts on its own and 8 and makes two first downs and is outside its own 40.  Sack, sack....punt.

4th Quarter starts.  Kent goes 3 and out. BG drives to the Kent 14...and then McDonald throws a pick.  There are 10 minutes left when that happens.

Kent takes that, goes 74 yards on 13 plays (10 runs) to score and take a 27-20 lead with about 6 minutes to play.

Pretty much this is it.  BG drove to the Kent 29 and then completely stalled out, including a completely blown up 4th down and 7 play.  BG got the ball back one more time, went four and out, (with McDonald missing a wide open Broden on 3rd down) including a second McDonald fumble in the last minutes...and it was over.

There were decent moments in there.  A competitive game.  But the last 10 minutes of the game or so were one-sided and that's how you lose.

More to come.

25 Questions Questions That Are Flash Fast

 What is their body of work?

Kent is one of the MAC's historically struggling schools.  Since 2000, they have had only 3 winning seasons.   They had that dream 2012 season, but then that was followed by 6 seasons with 4 or fewer wins.  Out goes Paul Haynes, in comes Sean Lewis, who was OC at BG under Babers and who, I assume, we could have had instead of Mike Jinks.  He has done well.  In 2019 they were 7-6 and won their first bowl game.  They were 3-1 last year.  They have won the last 3 over BG, including putting up 62 in each of the most recent two games.  

 

This was once their mascot.  It is GROG from BC...
They had permission.  I once had a GROG mug

They were picked to win the MAC East by the media.  They are 1-3 to date,  but it is tough to judge.  Kent has to play 3 buy games, and that includes Texas A&M, Iowa and Maryland, all losses.  And then there was an easy win over VMI.  They have truly yet to play a comparable team.

How many seniors and juniors on the two-deep?

They have 33, which is very high, maybe the highest I recall seeing.

Who are their statistical leaders? (Top 20 Nationally)

Elvis Hines and Montre Miller, 3rd in nation in INT.

What is their turnover ratio? 

They are +8 so far.  They have 9 INT.

Offense:

This is MAC THE FLASH
Former Mascot.
GOLDEN retriever.  Get it?
Who's a good boy?

How is their QB play?

They have a good QB.  Dustin Crum is the guy, first-team all-MAC last year and pre-season this year.  He's not off to a great start by the numbers, but note the competition.

What is their scoring and yards per play

They are 7th in scoring offense in the MAC and but 3rd at 5.9 yards per play.  That's very interesting, usually they are split by that much, especially on a team with such a strong turnover margin.

Can they run the ball?

They run the ball effectively.  They average 4.9 yards per carry, which is #2 in the MAC.

Do they pass the ball?

They are 6th in pass efficiency.  BG has been good against the pass, so this is a good opportunity.  That's 60% completions, 3 TD over 2 INT, at 12.8 yards per completion.

How is their run/pass balance?

They run a lot, 65%. 

Do they convert on 3rd Down?

They are 6th at 39%

Do they score in the red zone?

They are not very good, at 3.4 points per trip--which explains why scoring is lower than yards per play.  In 17 trips, there are 6 TD and 5 FG.

Do they protect the quarterback?

Woah.  Not so far.  They have given up sacks on 14.6% of passing plays, which is a huge amount.

Nick "Sky" Saban catching a pass
at the Doyt.

Defense:

Topline: Scoring and yards per play

They are 8th in the MAC in scoring defense, and 5th in yards per play.

Do they defend the run effectively?

They struggle against the run....they are 9th in the MAC

Can they be passed on?

They are pretty good.  3rd in the MAC, led by those 9 picks.  BG is #1 and #5 in the country.

Do they get off the field on 3rd down?

They do not.  They are 10th in the MAC.

Do they defend in the red zone?

They allow 4.3 yards per trip.

Do they pressure the QB?

Not that much.  That get sacks on only 3.2% of opponent passing attempts.

This always freaks me out

Special Teams:

Punting?

They are 10th in net punting.  No blocks

Punt Return?

They have 5 returns for 25 yards, no TDSs.  No blocks

Placekicking? 

He's not great.  He is 5-7. with both misses inside 30.  Long of 37.  No blocks

Kickoff? 

It's not good.  Opponents start on the 34.

Kickoff Return?

Pretty good. They start on the 28

It's homecoming...here's an old-school
Kent Homecoming Dance.
OLD school

Miscellaneous: Overall atmospherics and intangibles.

Kent has to be looking forward to this one.  They are coming off 3 very tough P5 games and one easy FCS game.  They are 16.5 point favorites.  Look, BG is coming off a huge win, but the team is young and likely to be a little inconsistent.  Kent has destroyed BG the last 2 years.  A tough performance for BG would not be a surprise.  Stringing another game together would be a really good sign.