Falcons Win, Head to the BIG GAME

Ok, kids.  We have waited a long time to be here...we are heading to the Doyt on Friday to play a big game.  How long?  I've tried to figure out...probably a post this week...but it has to be 10 years since we played a game this big on our field...excluding UT and Indiana, etc.  It reminds me of the Fat Punter game a little, except that was for the title.  Let us hope we exorcise that demon and any other number of Miami demons.

Remember, for context, BG is playing the top scoring offense in the MAC.  Ball State gets the ball and goes three and out.  BSU gets a long roll on the punt and BG starts on their own 7.

And BG goes on a dream drive.  Just the thing you want when you are playing a high-octane offense.  15 plays, 93 yards and 8:44 off the clock.  And a touchdown.  Three 3rd-down conversions---one at 5 yards and 2 at one yard--finished with Bazelak to Fannin on first and goal...and BG had a 7-0 lead.

BS took the ball and converted a 3rd and 9.  BG got a first down sack and BS had a short punt this time and BG started on their 30.

BG went three and out and then BS drove to the BG 48 before BG got a 4th down stop and gave the offense great field position.  

And BG gave up a sack and went three and out.  Coach said after the game that the Falcons missed two open plays on the 2nd and 3rd drive that would have broken the game wide open...one was caused by pressure and one was a wide open throw to Johnson that Bazelak just missed.

The game was in the second quarter by then.  With about 5 minutes left, Stewart fumbled and BSU recovered on the BG 25.  A moment of maximum danger...literally...as BS ran a ridiculous WR pass that hit Oladokun in the numbers and BG had the ball back. 

BG appeared to get some momentum and drove to the BSU 25 where the drive stalled.  Zach Long, who is developing into a stud, drilled a 43-yarder and BG had a 10-point lead.

To this point, Coach said that BG was missing big plays on offense and doing "uncharacteristic" things on defense, even as they were holding BSU scoreless.  And that usually comes back to haunt teams.  Ball State had used timeouts when BG had the ball and they mounted a drive.  It was at midfield and appeared to be doing nowhere when BG pressured Semonza. He escaped the pocket and hit a RB on a broken route and he ran the 51-yards into the end zone to make it 10-7 at the half.

Coach said no one panicked in the locker room.  Adjustments were made and the team came out ready to clean things up.  BG got the ball and ran another long drive....15 plays in 6:44.  This one got to the BSU 10 before Bazleak took a sack and the Falcons had to finish with a FG to make it 13-7.

Still facing an offense that can score, but BG's defense was solid again, forcing a three and out.  Another poor punt was followed by a big return/penalty that netted the Falcons with the ball on the BSU 46.

Two passes to Fannin and 43 yards later, BG was on the 3 and on 3rd down Rahkeem Smith took an end around into the end zone and BG had a 21-7 lead with 4 minutes to play in the 3rd.  (Bazelak and Johnson made a sweet pass and catch to get the conversion.)

The defense got a 3 and out again and on the second play of the BG's drive, Bazelak hit Smith in the left flat.  He absolutely smoked the defender and had nothing but open field.  The young man can run and it was a 66-yard TD reception and BG had a 28-7 lead late in the 3rd.  

In four minutes of game time, the issue was settled. 

BSU had the ball, punting on the first play of the 4th quarter...punt was partially blocked and BG started on the BSU 46.  They moved the chains on a 4th and 3 DPI and then ended up with a 48-yard FG from Long to make it 31-7.

The teams traded TDs on the next two possessions, including Smith's 3rd TD of the game.  BG won 38-13.

It was far from our best game....but in a trap game situation, against a wild card team with an interim coach but the ability to score...on the road....empty stadium....this was the outcome we needed.  Honestly, anything where they aren't in the game in the 4th quarter is a success.

BG's defense was the story, as they increasingly are.  BG held BSU to 43 yards rushing.  That includes sacks...the BSU backs were 17 for 75, a 4.4 yard per carry rate. Semonza, the #4 passer in the MAC, was held to just over 50% completions 11 yards a completion and 4 sacks.  There's the INT on the gadget pass and Tanner Koziol was held to 5 matches for 27 yards. Overall, BSU had 254 yards and 4.1 yards per play, with some of that coming in garbage time...BSU had 86 yards in the 4th.

On offense, BG did not establish the run.  Stewart had 10 carries for 32 yards and a lost fumble. Patterson was 5 for 15.  BG got some run yards from Bazelak and Smith, but by and large did not run the ball effectively.

Bazelak was 18 of 29 for 299, which is 14.2 yards per reception, a big number. (Really a team stat). He was sacked twice and continued to be effective on play action and when he isn't pressured.

Fannin was 9 for 125 and 1 TD.  He has to be first-team AP All-American at TE.  Every team is focused on stopping him and no one has succeeded.

FYI, he left the game injured and returned to the field but not the game.  He had his helmet.  Loeffler has promised to provide injury updates on "a couple" guys tomorrow.  I suspect they will be game time decisions ;)

Smith had 81 receiving yards and 3 total TDs.  He has made a big difference.  With Garcia not playing at all, we were really light at WR and having him out there is a perfect example of making the most of your opportunities. (and according to the stats he blocked a punt).

True FR Kal-El Pascal made 8 tackles and a TFL. Sipp had 2 sacks and a break up. Saad and Davis had sacks. Saad also forced a fumble on his sack. BG broke up 8 passes---8 different guys. Oladokun had a pick and seemed to be all over the place...more than the numbers indicated.

This is a stout defense.  

Long was 3-3 including a 48-yarder, outdoors in November. Henderson was effective punting, putting 3 inside the 20. 

So, more later on the big game.  Miami is very good.  We are playing very well.  It's going to be a game of defenses and line of scrimmage play.