BG Loses to Cincy

 BG went to UC and lost 34-20.  While it is the first time we have ever lost to the Bearcats, there were some high points and low points as we monitor this team to see exactly what we have.

The outcome was never in doubt. UC was up 14-0 early in the second and the game was never closer than two scores again.  BG had it to 24-10 with 4 left in the 3rd and needed a stop to get the ball back and maybe generate some momentum. 

Instead, UC drove 75 yards to make it 31-10.  

BG got it to 31-17 with 10 left in the game. Again, a stop was needed, but UC went on a 4 minute drive to get a FG and make it 34-17.  From there, 34-20 was the final.

Again, there were good points and bad points.

UC played good run defense against Nebraska, but the Falcons did run the ball.  Sack-adjusted, BG had 4.9 yards per carry.  Both of the main RBs (Pettaway and Roberts) averaged over 5.5 yards per carry.  (McMillan DNP).

BG also had a stronger passing game.  Pyne looked a lot more comfortable. He executed the game plan they gave him very well.  He was 29 of 36 for 274, 1 TD and O INT.  (In fact, don't say it in front of Coach George, but BG has less than but not equal to one turnover this year).  Just know that the game plan had a lot of high percentage passes.  He had 9.4 yards per completion, which is not a lot.  16 of those attempts were behind the LOS and 

Jyrin Johnson really showed what he could do. He had 7 for 80 and a score. Roberts had 6 for 47. RJ Garcia 5 for 35. Nine Falcons caught passes.

So all of that was promising.  Some downsides.

• BG drove to the UC 2, had a substitution penalty and settled for a FG.
• BG drove to the 12 and failed to convert a 4th and 2.
• BG drove to the 4 and took a sack that headed for a FG.

So, finishing drives. 

BG had 4 penalties and gave up 4 sacks, a couple of them at key times.

For the defense, there were also positives.  Let's be clear...they allowed 8.3 yards per play, so we can't get too far ahead of ourselves.

UC came in having really run the ball effectively last week.   BG did a great job on the run defense. Coach said in the post-game that if we would have let them get running downhill, it could have been a very long afternoon.  They had 29 carries for 106 yards, a 3.7 average.  BG did a respectable job on Sorsby running.

UC came in having passed the ball poorly against Nebraska.  And here was BG's downfall.  Sorsby was 17 of 24 for 3 TD and 333 yards.  That's 19.5 yards per completion.  Big passing plays were the difference.  BG has some young players in the dbackfield and Coach said they need to communicate better.  Good news is, I think this is fixable.  On PFF, the coverage rankings were generally poor and BG got no sacks and 12 hurries.

For special teams, BG was good.  Kleather missed from 54 but made 2 short ones.  Henderson's punt numbers were down, but 3 of his 4 punts ended up inside the 20.  Neither team did much in the return game and both teams had at least once poor kickoff return start.

While disappointed to lose, I think we saw some improvement on offense and a defense beset by big plays, which we hope can be fixed.  Overall, we are penalty-free and t*rn*ver free.  We seem to be staying healthy.  This was a nice improvement over the opener.  Big test at home with Liberty Saturday.