After strong defensive start, BGSU falls to OU, 48-30

By: Ryan Strodtbeck

BOWLING GREEN, OHIO– Coming off their first victory of the year, Bowling Green looked to make it two in a row against the MAC East favorite Ohio University Bobcats on Homecoming weekend. Ultimately, after a strong start, the Falcons struggled to contain the Bobcat offense and fell, 48-30.

The Falcons started the game off the way they wanted to, as they forced Ohio into back-to-back three and outs to begin the game. Bowling Green would take advantage and manage two field goals out of their ensuing possessions. The score would remain 6-0 in BGSU’s favor after one quarter of play.

To start the second quarter off, the Bobcats would find the end zone after a Josh Cleveland fumble set them up in Bowling Green territory. It would be A.J Ouellette who would run it in from six yards out to give Ohio the lead.

Bowling Green would answer right back with a touchdown of their own. The Falcons, however, would find themselves back in a hole when James Morgan was intercepted and the pass was returned for a touchdown to once again give Ohio the lead.

After punting on their next drive, the Falcons would get an interception by Marcus Milton that set up a Jake Suder 32-yard field goal. But right before the half, the Bobcats drove down the field and scored with just over a minute on the clock on a seven-yard touchdown run from Nathan Rourke. Going into the locker room the Falcons would find themselves in the game, down 20-16.

The third quarter was dominated by defense early, but ended with two scores from both teams. The Falcons got a 10-yard touchdown pass from James Morgan to Hunter Folkertsma. On the next offensive play for the Bobcats, Rourke took the handoff for 75 yards and a touchdown. The Falcon lead evaporated quickly.

The fourth quarter began like the third ended with an Ohio touchdown. Rourke collected his third touchdown of the day as he connected with Andrew Meyer from 40-yards out. This would gave the Bobcats a two-score lead and the Falcons struggled to get anything going. A

fter a strip sack on Morgan, Ouellette rushed the ball from two yards out for a touchdown. This would make the game virtually out of reach of the Falcons. Both Ohio and Bowling Green would add one more touchdown before it was over, as the Bobcats would walk out of Doyt Perry Stadium with a 48-30 victory over the Falcons.

The passing game struggled for the Falcons as James Morgan went just 16-of-41 for 182 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

On the ground for Bowling Green, it was Andrew Clair, a freshman, who led the way with 18 carries for 148 yards and two touchdowns. Cleveland also added 90 yards on 22 carries for the day. Scotty Miller lead all receivers with 95 yards receiving on six catches.

The Falcons will look to bounce back next week when they take on Northern Illinois at home at 2:oo p.m. next Saturday.