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.