Falcons Get Road Win

Sometimes it was a little rough, but it's November, we're chasing a berth in the title game and we're on the road.  We needed to win and we did.

It was typical MACTION.  The stands were mostly empty.  Atypically, there was a monsoon in the 3rd quarter (though only for a few minutes).  Like most MACTION games, it had an element of the surreal to it.

BG dominated the first 27 minutes of the game or so. BG had 186 yards of total offense in the first half, but stalled first on the 12, then on the 22 (with 2 crucial BG penalties costing them) and then on the 19.  BG hit FGs all three times and led 9-0.  Still, you have to figure it should have been more.

With inside 3 minutes to play in the half, BG had CMU on 3rd and 6.  Jefferson broke away and ran for 44 yards to the BG 27.  A DPI followed and a couple plays later, CMU scored and converted all those stalled BG drives into being down only 9-7, and they would get the ball coming out of the half.

Jefferson went back to pass on the first play, Anthony Hawkins hit his arm before he threw and BG recovered.  Even so, BG was preparing to stall again, facing a 4th and 4 from the CMU 33.  In a key play, Bazelak went back to pass, was pressured, scrambled free and hit Malcom Johnson for a 20-yard gain and a critical first down.  Two plays later, Levi Gazerak caught a pass and drove into the end zone, and BG led 16-7.  The terms of the game were set for the rest of the way.

BG got a three and out and then the offense, going for the kill, drove to the CMU 8 before the drive stalled out.  BG attempted a short FG (27 yards) that was blocked and CMU ran it back to their own 31.  Here's a chance for a big change for CMU, though their momentum was blunted by the 3 minute media timeout that followed the block.

CMU brought in a new QB, a true FR, and they drove to the BG 28.  On 4th and 2, Lukes broke free on the right side and gained 22 yards to the BG 6 and it looked like CMU might be back in the game.  Alas, they were called for a block in the back, set back to 4th and 4.  They ran Lukes again, but this time BG shut him down a yard short and CMU's chance to seize the game was lost.

Starting the 4th, a 56-yard Henderson punt put CMU on the 2.  BG got the 3 and out and then CMU shanked the punt, covering only 26 yards to the CMU 33.  With 11 minutes left, BG had a chance to close the door and they did. 

BG covered the 33 yards in 8 plays, killing 5:26 off the clock, perhaps the slowest 33-yard drive in history.  Seven of the plays were runs.  Patterson converted a 4th and 1 from the 5 and then went into the end zone on the next play to put BG up 23-7 with 5:42 to play.  The lead is the very, very long side of two possessions.

It's important to note that CMU had one completed pass and 6 yards FOR THE GAME at this point.  They picked it up on this drive. They started on the 25, and BG was playing prevent.  It's frustrating, but it took the Chips 11 plays to score...spending just under 4 minutes--making a comeback practically impossible. They went for 2.  BG lined up Horne at LB and then pre-snap he moved to the left edge while the 3 other down linemen shifted to the right.  I don't know if it confused CMU or what, but when they snapped it Horne ran around the end unblocked and hit Lukes before he could get to the line and sealing the victory.

BG gained 6 yards a play to 4.8 for CMU.  Stewart had 20 carries for 117, padded a little bit with some runs as BG on the last possession. Patterson had a huge game with 75 yards on 9 carries.   The CMU defense won their share of the battles with the BG line on Stewart runs, especially in the first half.

Bazelak had an OK night .  He was 19 of 30 for 207 yards.  There were some missed throws.  It was also VERY WINDY.

On national TV, Harold Fannin had 7 receptions for 86 yards.  In all, 9 Falcons caught passes.

CMU's QB woes certainly hurt them.  They finished with 63 passing yards. They tried to make up for it with a strong running game, and finished with 187 yards on 38 attempts, a 4.9 average.  A lot of that was the QB.  Their main RB, Lukes, was held to 72 in 20 carries, a 3.6 average and a victory for the BG defense.

BG committed 12 penalties for 88 yards, which Loeffler admitted had given him bad flashbacks

Again, not a great game but the game was won.  Next up, a huge battle with WMU, who plays tonight against NIU.  MACTION from The Doyt.