Falcons Cruise over Fordham

Overall, a good start to the season.  Winning is always good and BG got the win they should have gotten---and comfortably over a decent and well-coached football team. 

First games are always works in progress. There's always a lot to clean up, and there is in this case as well, but you can do it with a win.

For 20 minutes BG was really good.   I mean, really good.  At that point, BG was up 27-0.  The team began to lose their edge about then, with Fordham scoring 3 on the last possession of the first half and then 7 on the first possession of the second half to make it 27-10. I don't want to overdramatize it---BG kept scoring and kept them from turning that into a run and the Rams did not score again until the last minute on a blown play by BG backups.  It was never close.

Offense:

The BG offense had a good game.  That's 5 offensive touchdowns and 8.5 yards per play.  No turnovers.  Strong 3rd down execution.   Stewart was highly effective (14-161-3), as was Fannin (6-67).  We had a good play mix.  Bazelak did what was asked of him and he was well-protected.

While BG kept Bazelak (15-22-168-0-0) protected, he did not go long once--meaning the hardest routes to protect were not run.  We were highly successful short over the middle--14 of 16 for 148 yards. Nothing wrong with this game plan.  We wanted to control the ball.  Other times, we will probably need to stretch the defense to open up the run and short pass, and we will need to see if it is there.

In fairness, BG had 5 drops. 

Last year, BG completed 51% of its passes to WRs, which seems low to me.  Last night, just 4 of BG's 16 receptions were to a WR.  RJ Garcia--the K-State transfer--is out with an injury.  However, WR was a worry coming into the year and BG did not get great production from the position in Game 1.

Lastly, PFF graded BG just 67 on run blocking.  The thing is, Stewart doesn't need blocking, but you could see him fighting off tackles right at the line.  Patterson was way less effective.  BG does have several backs and can continue to try and find a #2/#3 if they have to.  Jamal Johnson had 4 catches as well.

Defense:

The defense started very strong and held Fordham to 17.  In the second half, they bent but didn't break. The first time Fordham got the ball back after their quick 3Q opening TD, they were still down 17, they drove inside the BG 40 when the Falcons bowed up and got a stop on 3rd and 2 to force a punt. They also drove inside the BG 20 early in the 4th with the game no longer close, but BG forced the turnover on downs.  The Falcon defense never allowed Fordham to get close again after the big lead and stopped the momentum after the early 2nd half quick-score.

As the game went on, BG didn't keep Montes in the pocket, as they did earlier.  With a QB like that, you have to be disciplined in how you rush and BG was sometimes good and sometimes not.  It is extremely important in today's game.

Loughridge ran effectively on us, at 16-112.

And the 2nd team gave up a big play, they are going to hear about.

Special teams;

Pegues stunned the world with TD run to start the season--a score BG says has been seen 5 million times--and later added a 25-yard punt return.  Appears to be a potential force and I think people will be agitating to get him into the regular formations--which he did a little.  Also fielded a punt that was probably heading into the end zone and a bouncing punt that nearly turned into a turnover.

After not missing an XP last year, BG changed kickers, and Kleather missed his first one.  He didn't miss any others, though.  BG did have a KO go OB.

And let us not forget the fake punt BG ran on 4th and 25 from our 48 that led to the score that took the lead to 24.  Huge play.  You read here that Henderson was a star QB and S in HS, so he's a football player.  He had 29 yards on that one and was BG's second-leading rusher.  Shades of the fat punter.

Injuries

Coach said he would talk injuries on Monday.  He had promised to talk about players who were going to miss the year after the game, but said he wanted to talk to the player involved and their family before going public.  And he said he "loved" this player.  I have no inside information but if you look at the players listed as unavailable last night, a name jumps out at you.

The next two weeks are really tough: @Penn State and @Texas A&M with a week in between.  The next return to the Doyt--and reasonable competition--is ODU for homecoming.

Fordham Preview

History:

• Located in The Bronx.
• Played their first game in 1882.
• They were coached by Joe Moorehead and Dave Clawson, among others.
• Vince Lombardi played at Fordham, where he was one of the Seven Blocks of Granite.
• Prominent grads include Alan Alda, Denzel, Mary Higgins Clark, Frankie Frisch, Captain Kangaroo, Vin Scully, Robert Gould Shaw.

Recent Track Record:

• They were 6-5 (2-4) last year and 9-3 the year before that.
• They were picked #3 in the pre-season poll for the Patriot League.
• They have 3 FBS wins since 2023.  They beat UB last year, scoring with 2 minutes left to take the lead.
• In 2022, they lost to Ohio 59-52.  The Bobcats scored twice in the last minute to win the game.
• Overall, they are 3-4 against MAC teams, but some of those games occurred when the teams were not in the MAC.
• They were "others receiving votes" in FCS poll

Offense:

• They were 27th in FCS and 2nd in the Patriot League in scoring offense last year.
• They were 22nd in FCS in yards/play.
• Their QB, CJ Montes, had a huge year, throwing 26 TD over 1 INT.  He was #3 in the Patriot League in passing efficiency,   He transferred from New Mexico.  He was the #1 QB for the pre-season Patriot League.
• Julius Loughbridge was the #4 on yards per game and yards per carry.  He first-team All-Patriot last year but was not on the pre-season Patriot League team. 
• They have a number of receivers and lineman back.
• They are starting a true freshman at RT.

Defense:

Lonely Ramses XVIII
in his new home
built by Grace Kelly's Father

• They were 45th in FCS in scoring defense and 2nd in the Patriot League.  They were 73rd in total defense and 4th in the Patriot League.
• They have four players on the preseason team, including DL Matt Jaworski, who is the pre-season defensive player of the year.  James Conway, their LB, is a tackling machine.
• They were 44th in the country in rushing defense and 71st in pass defense.

 Special Teams:

• The top punter in the Patriot League, Will Haslet, returns.  He is an Akron transfer.
• They have a true FR kicker.
• Their leading returners are both back.

Overall:

So why do we always play good FCS teams?  Anyway, this team is not a pushover and can't be an afterthought.

Having said that, the Patriot League is the 7th ranked FCS conference and Fordham isn't picked to win it.  If we have any hope of beating NIU and Miami this year, this one has to go down for a win.  Extra points if it isn't a nail-biter.  BG is "banged up" which doesn't make it easier--but we need a good result regardless.

Looking like awesome weather and the freshmen have been whipped into a frenzy.  Should be a good crowd.  ESPN game predictor has BG with a 96% chance of winning.

Depth Chart is Out

The depth chart is out for the Fordham.  Major caveats on this one.  Coach says we are banged up and even have a couple guys who are out for the year but we won't say anything until after the game.  With that in mind, it is logical to think that there are guys on the chart that we know are not going to play Thursday.  Even so, there are some interesting things.

Chart is below.

First, the depth chart has 11 offensive and 12 defensive positions, with 46 players.  39 of them are juniors and seniors.  That's incredible.  We can't use lack of experience this year.  Loeffler has built the team he said he would...all they have to do is make it a winning formula.

On the Oline, Nick Reimer came in from Merrimack and moved in at LT.  Pabst moved to LG to replace Stewart...Fatusaki moved to RG, and Padgett and Wollschlager return at C and T.  Coach said they have made giant leaps. If true, it will make an incredible difference.

Brody Bolyn, a R-FR, has slipped in as backup C.  He is from Anthony Wayne  rural Indiana (Management regrets the error).  And then James Thomas Jr is backup at RT.  He was a walk-on (at least never announced as part of a signing class) from Fairfield HS, where he was a TE and DL.  He red-shirted last year.  The roster features only one reserve OT who is an upperclassman. To add depth, Billie Roberts was moved from DL to OL.

No surprises at TE starter.  Elijah Boyd transferred from UTEP where he was mostly TE.  And Jacob Harris has made a quick rise to the #2 behind Fannin.

WR shows Tillmon, Hogan, Johnson and Garcia.  Depth could be a challenge here.

QB and RB were as expected.

On the defensive side, there are also few surprises. Up front is largely what we saw when last season ended.  Hardamon is back and starting with Sipp and Horne, also not a surprise.  Simms moved from S to LB and will be a backup at WLB.  The backup MLB is a really interesting player...Donny Stephens, a highly-recruited player who transferred from Oklahoma State.  The other backup is Myles Bradley, who played sparingly last year. Rosser/McGary at SLB is about what you would have expected after last year.

In the d-backfield, and one corner is Edward Rhambo, a transfer from NAU, backed by Todd Bumphis, a transfer from UC. NIU transfer CJ Brown has the potential to be a difference-maker.  Lorfils is back....backed by Travy Revels who red-shirted last year.  The other corner is Jordan Oludokun and the Nickel is Daius McClendon, from Middle TN State, most recently.  Lots of guys play in the d-backfield, so you need them all.

Changes coming in the kick game.  Alan Anaya has lost the job, and either Jackson Kleather, who mostly punted last year, or Zach Long will be doing FGs.  Long is a transfer from Troy who was a kickoff guy there.  No FGs attempted.  At punter,  John Henderson appears to have won the job.  Clawson always said you want a football who happens to be a punter....Henderson was offensive player of the year as a QB in HS as well as playing safety effectively.  He punted at Antelope Valley College with a 41.7 yard average and 35% inside the 20, which can impact your yardage numbers.

Justin Pegues, a transfer from TN Tech, is featured in the return game with Malcolm Johnson and Garcia.

Open Practice Report

College football is so BACK.@BG_Football | #MACtion

pic.twitter.com/yjXvbcRYUW

— #MACtion (@MACSports) August 24, 2024

Went to the practice today.  The video above--perhaps the highlight--was pure awesomeness.  That's Tunde Futukasi, our starting OL, playing drums with the FMB.  Was very cool.  It's OK to have fun sometimes.  We all forget.

The practice...who can tell?  It was 1s on 2s and no contact.  There were some nice plays.  Lucian Anderson looked like a D1 quarterback when he had a shot.

There were nice comments from President Rogers, DVDM, and Coach Loeffler.  It was a nice event, decent turnout.   

The issue continues to be health.  Coach Loeffler came up in the stands to talk to someone and I heard him say "We have to get healthy.  We are banged up."  We had a couple guys out that I could see....of course, it was a non-contact practice, too.

Also went over to the volleyball game.  There was a nice crowd there and it was an enjoyable time...3-0 win over Oakland.

Loeffler Presser

Loeffler did his presser today for the Fordham game.  Most of it was the usual stuff--Fordham, who received five points in the FCS poll, might be the greatest FCS team in history.  In practice, we are working on consistency.

There was good news and bad news.

The bad news is we had an injury-plagued camp.  He said we have 2-3 guys who might be out for the year, and will reveal them after the Fordham game.  There appeared to be other injuries as well.  This is not good news, obviously.  He seems to be looking forward to the bye after Penn State to have some people get healthy.

The good news is that the offensive line has taken GIANT steps.  That would be very important.

Oh, and as for the injuries, we will find out at about 4 pm on Thursday who is not available.  The MAC is starting an injury report of sorts, which will be due 3 hours before game time and posted on the web.  The Big 10 is doing the same thing.

Football Preview

This is a big season. Bowling Green has been in the wilderness for a long time.  In fact, its the worst stretch in program history and it isn't close.  It started with Babers, a coach looking to make a quick exit, and then one of the least successful hires in the history of college football.  Then, Loeffler comes in committed to a long-term rebuild.  The last truly competitive team was in 2015, and that was a title winner.  

Loeffler has been here six years.  Originally, year five was promised as a year to contend for a title, but that didn't happen.  There was progress.

This year, BG needs to reach the levels that were promised.

It is not a given.  A couple things.  Last year, BG struggled with a very tough early schedule...sure...also threw away a winnable game against Liberty and were smoked by Miami and Ohio.  As tough as the early schedule was hard, the later schedule was just as easy and BG won the easy games.  They either nearly beat UT or blew a big lead at home and collapsed in the last 3 minutes--you pick. 

Also, BG had a big turnover differential, which can be tough to replicate.

BG will need to be better this year.  Rather than going from awful to decent, they have to go from being good to consistently tough to beat, which is just as tough if not tougher.

There's good reason to think that will happen.

First, BG is picked third or fourth in the division-less MAC.  That would be a good place for this team to land.

The schedule is better but not easy.  BG has an off week after Penn State and a fellow G5 after Texas A&M.  We are in the pod of death, playing NIU and UT every year.  Having said that, NIU is at home and BG finishes with league-favorite Miami at home after Thanksgiving which, in a dream scenario, could be for a trip to the MAC title.

FWIW, only two teams play three P4 teams--Akron, Kent and Miami (Northwestern, Notre Dame and their traditional game with UC). Five teams play two--BG, Ball State, NIU OU and WM.  Four play only one...UB, CMU, EMU and UT. 

Offense

For me, the offense has been the biggest disappointment of the Loeffler era.  We might be in a position to admit that he is not an offensive guru, along with scattered fans across college football. We have been OK at times on offense, but at no point did I think we were better than the sum of our parts.  When we had the right players out there, we were OK.  Otherwise, not so much.

BG has improved on the offensive side of the ball.  In 2021, they were 11th in scoring.  In 2022 they got it to 8th and last year BG was 3rd.  (MAC games only).  Similarly, in 2021 we were 12th in yards per play, moving up to 9th and then 5th last year.

So, for 2023, BG was third in scoring and fifth in yards per play.  The difference between the two is that BG was #2 in the MAC and #13 in the FBS in turnover margin, allowing the Falcons to score with fewer yards.  If those turnovers don't materialize, BG will need better offense to get points.

You can also look at a specific situation.

BG-UT, 4th Quarter.  Defense gets a 3 and out and BG has the ball, up 6, with 5:42 left.  UT has 2 timeouts left.  A couple first downs, and the game should be over.  At a minimum, you should be able to force UT to use their timeouts by running the ball.  Unfortunately, BG has no confidence in their ability to run the ball, and goes three and out with 2 pass plays, both incomplete.  They make 0 yards and kill only 1:06.

I know we had injuries.  We're a championship offensive team when we finish that game with the ball.

Similarly, BG got the ball back with 1:41 left, down 1 point.  Starting on their own 31 they have a shot to get into FG range...BG had three incompletions and a sack.

I know we had injuries.  We're a championship offensive team when we get that into FG range, as happens so often in football.

The table is set.

• Conner Bazelak was picked as the #2 QB in the MAC by Phil Steele. (I will be pleased to see this happen, I might have had him down a couple spots).
• Terrion Stewart, a truly game-changing RB is back.
• Harold Fannin, is back at TE.  He's another game changer.
• Despite huge turnover at WR, we are ranked #3 for recivers.
• And finally, BG offers an OL that is experienced and #3 overall.  Transfer Nick Reimer is the only expected starter who is a Senior.  

Honestly, beyond the usual caveat about staying healthy, BG has only a couple of things that could present challenges.  There is decent depth at QB, but at RB we don't have a #2 that we have seen that is the equal of Ta'Ron Keith.  Wimberly was getting there, but got injured in Spring practice. We may have someone--there are like 12 guys in the RB room--but we haven't seen it yet.  Stewart is capable of a lot of touches, but taking some of the load off--or filling in if he gets injured again--will be critical.

Secondly, we are untested after the starting five on the o-line.

Defense

BG's defense was as good as it has been since Babers left... in 24 finishing #7 in scoring defense (.5 points per game behind Toledo) and #4 in yards per play.  This side of the ball has steadily improved over time as well, could get better, and is clearly good enough with offensive support to play in the title game.

And again, this unit can be better.

• BG has the top-ranked DL in the MAC.  This is incredibly important--BG has been gashed on the ground often over the dark years.  Held opponents to 3.6 yards per carry last year and something similar would be a huge help. 
• BG should still be able to rush the passer.  Cashius Howell transferred but Hardamon is expected back and BG should be able to get pressure, forcing sacks and throwaways, especially since we have a good D-backfield.
• The backfield, despite losing Huskey and Simms (to LB), has two portal additions and is a top backfield in the MAC.
• LBs should be competitive with upside if Simms adapts to his new position.  Sipp was All-MAC.  BG is also shallow at LB, but hopefully the Dline keeps blockers off them and makes their job easier.

Special Teams

• BG was middle of the pack in kicking and punting.  The same guys are back.  Hopefully, the offense scores more TDs and there is less action for both of them--or anyone that might replace them.
• BG's return game was strong. Given the number of touchbacks and unreturnable punts, this is becoming less of an issue, but BG does have plenty of players who can contribute here.

It's time.  Fans have waited....with varying degrees of patience.  We don't need any more "there are no excuses, but COVID" press conferences.  It certainly appears we can be better on both sides of the ball and have a chance for that Miami game to be meaningful.  It will require sustained strong play.  The ESPN FPI index has us going 9-3, losing to TAMU, PSU and UT.  The NIU game will be key, but we need to be on point every week...something we have rarely done.

We will also find out whether the program's leadership is capable of putting game plans and adjustments in play that make us consistently tough to beat.  Also not always the case.