by Ryan Strodtbeck
The Bowling Green State University Falcons Football season concluded on Tuesday night with a loss to the hands of the Eastern Michigan Eagles by a score of 34-31.
A week after getting destroyed by bitter rival Toledo at home by a score of 66-37, the Falcons traveled to Ypsilanti, Michigan to take on the Eagles. This game was a lot closer as both teams battled back and forth but ultimately it was the Eagles who pulled away with a late third quarter touchdown to win the game.
On the season the Falcons finished the year with a 2-10 record, a drop off of two wins from last season. If one thing is for certain it is that this team struggled this year, but may actually be better off for the future going forward.
Many people thought that the Falcons would be in better shape going into this season. With James Morgan performing well last year to be the starting quarterback of the future for the Falcons and a running game that really propelled the Falcons to the three game win stretch at the end of last season. However, things did not necessarily go all that great for the orange and brown.
The Falcons opened up the season losing to Michigan State, a game that despite it being a loss, found Falcons fans hopeful. Many weren’t expecting a win by the Falcons but Bowling Green did hold their own against a Big Ten team.
The following week the Falcons opened up Doyt Perry Stadium and did so to South Dakota Coyotes. The Falcons found themselves down early to the FCS school and couldn’t climb their way back and it was from this point on that many started to doubt exactly which direction this program was going.
Bowling Green went back to the road for their final two non-conference games against Northwestern and Middle Tennessee State. They dropped both of the games, but found themselves a new starting quarterback in the Middle Tennessee game when Jarret Doege took over for James Morgan.
Despite losing the four non-conference matchups, fans could still hope that the Falcons will figure it out come MAC play, seeing as the MAC East was wide open and not one team really stood out.
They opened up with eventual MAC East Champions the Akron Zips, but fell by a score of 34-23.
The Falcons then saw themselves in Oxford, Ohio taking on the Miami Redhawks, A team many thought would compete in MAC East. The Falcons weren’t the only team to disappoint this season.Bowling Green would steal a win on Miami’s home field after the Redhawks had a chance to win the game but fumbled the ball.
The Falcons played host to Ohio and Northern Illinois next and found themselves competing in both, well at least until halftime. Both Ohio and Northern Illinois pulled away in the second half to beat the Falcons.
On Halloween Night, the Falcons played their first true MACtion game of the year against the Kent State Golden Flashes, in what would be one largest victories for Coach Jinks in his career.
The Falcons looked to continue to end the season on a strong note, but fell to the hands of Buffalo, Toledo and Eastern Michigan to end the season.
Overall the Falcons finished with a 2-10 record and no wins at home. They also finished this season with doubt than they did last season.
Some bright spots for the Falcons are that Jarret Doege and Andrew Clair are the future of this team. Both played exceptionally well, for being true freshman. The defense also improved from just a season ago, but still has issues.
Mike Jinks may not exactly be on the hot seat right now, due to the fact that his buyout would coast Bowling Green the type of money they don’t have to spend and that he was left with a bare cabinet from Dino Babers.
Jinks in all likelihood will be back next season. If improvements aren’t made and Falcons don’t show any improvements, look for the Falcons to be back on the market for a new head coach.
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