Sadly Comic and Tragic Night at the Doyt

Well, last night's game against EKU was unforgettable.  It provided incredible drama throughout the overtime, if you were an EKU fan or a casual football fan somehow trapped by a broken remote control on this game.  For a BG fan, it was a different kind of drama--more of a grotesque tragicomedy from the classical era.

It had a chance to be saved. That chance expired in the final three minutes of the game, where BG, having taken a lead (finally) after trailing by 14, allowed EKU to march down the field (AFTER STARTING WITH A SACK and featuring a 2nd and 20 in the last minute) and scored on the last play of the game to tie it.

From that point on, it was not going to be a success for Bowling Green.  A victory would be better than losing, but the spirit of the result was going to be excruciating.

That would include a one-play situation from the 18 when BG only need to hold them to 17 or less to win the game and didn't.  Along with other "match point" opportunities too depressing to mention.

It's a disaster for our season.  Coach says there's "a ton of football left."  That can be looked at more than one way.  With Marshall and Mississippi State next, odds are very good that we start 0-4.  Which means we would need 6-2 going home--essentially win the division--to get to .500.  Matching last year's record is a far more likely outcome.

Which will ensure we are back in the coaching wilderness.

There was one sequence I think we need to highlight.

There is 2:12 left in the second quarter, BG is up 17-10.  BG has the ball on the 25.  On second down, the center snaps the ball over the head of Matt McDonald (like WAY over his head) and it rolls down to the 3 where McDonald fails to fall on it and it rolls into the end zone for an EKU touchdown.  The game is tied.

BG gets the ball back on the 25 with 1:41 left.  They (of course) go 3 and out, and BG has a 16-yard punt and EKU has the ball on our 44 with :56 left and scores again with :13 left to take a 7-point lead.

BG got the ball to start the second half.  They did make a first down but then threw behind the line on 3rd and 10 and lost three yards.  Good punt, EKU starting on their 18.  BG's defense was completely lifeless and flat, and EKU went on an uncontested 12-play drive to take a 2-TD lead.

That's a 9-minute -21 sequence that keeps you from winning.

Note that BG was using its third-string C.  No idea how many reps he got in practice since the word is Robinson continued to get first-team reps all week.  Zimmerly started at C, was injured (looked to be serious) and Cedric Dunbar was next man.  Later in the game, Jalen Grant was at C and Dunbar at G.  I'd think you'd prepare for at least the possibility that Robinson's waiver might not come through and be ready for playing without him.  

And, when our football is down, this unprepared scramble for kickers and punters always seems to be happening.

BG did not fold.  In fact, the offense bounced back and gave the team what they needed, which was a scoring drive to answer.  McDonald, in his best game in our uniform, capped the drive with an outstanding throw to CJ Lewis in the end zone for a 34-yard TD.  And BG was down one TD with about 6 left in the 3rd.

Next drive, BG's defense allows conversions on 3rd and 9 and 4th and 20 before a pressure, a stuffed run play and a sack force a punt.  BG gains no yards and punts it back.

Fourth quarter starts.  EKU is on the 49. A sack, a five-yard loss on a run and a false start leave EKU with a 3rd and 27, which they do not convert (!!) and they punt. Jake Rogers unleashes a 24-yard punt return putting BG on its own 47 and the Falcons tie the game (including a 4th down conversion) with a 20-yard pass from McDonald to Broden.

About 9 to play.

EKU gets to the 49 again, but a false start and a big 12-yard sack on 3rd down (Brooks) have them punting.  The snap is high and Pasean Wimberly blocks the punt and BG is in business again on the 22. They struggle a little, and it's 4th and goal from the 2 with 3:39 left.  BG goes for the TD and gives to Jaison Patterson.  The middle of the line was just destroyed but he bounced it out to the left and got the score to give the BG the lead.

So, EKU had their 10-minute run.  And BG had their 10-minute run, the result of which was a 7-point BG lead. The problem was the 3 minutes still on the clock.  BG needed a stop against an FCS opponent, at home, killer instinct time, after getting stops on the last 3 drives and it did not happen and with a one-play, win or lose opportunity, allowed a 3-yard TD pass on the final play of regulation.

Sadness accrues. More to come.