By MIKE SMITH
Winless Bowling Green hopes to gain its first victory Saturday when it takes on a banged up Miami squad that is coming off a decisive 52-17 loss at No. 22 Notre Dame.
The game is in Oxford, but that hasn’t really spelled trouble for BG during the last decade. Despite both playing in the MAC East, the two teams last met in Oxford in 2013.
That was a . . .
Winless Bowling Green hopes to gain its first victory Saturday when it takes on a banged up Miami squad that is coming off a decisive 52-17 loss at No. 22 Notre Dame.
The game is in Oxford, but that hasn’t really spelled trouble for BG during the last decade. Despite both playing in the MAC East, the two teams last met in Oxford in 2013.
That was a . . .
. . . dark time for MU football, and that team lost all 12 games. The Falcons, meanwhile, blasted Miami 45-3 on the way to a MAC championship.
Actually, Bowling Green has won three straight against Miami, going back to 2007, when playing in Oxford.
Actually, Bowling Green has won three straight against Miami, going back to 2007, when playing in Oxford.
BOWLING GREEN AT MIAMI
Saturday, Oct. 7 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Yager Stadium – Oxford, Oh
ESPN
Saturday, Oct. 7 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Yager Stadium – Oxford, Oh
ESPN
The two programs met last year at Bowling Green, and Miami exploded for a season-high 40 points in a 40-26 win at Doyt Perry Stadium. However, it was just a 26-23 Miami edge in the fourth quarter before the ‘Hawks pulled away.
Miami’s victory was the second of six straight wins to close the regular season.
With its run, MU earned a share of the MAC East crown, but Ohio owned the tie-breaker, sending it to Detroit.
The two teams are favored to battle it out once again for a trip to the MAC Championship game in Detroit.
The RedHawks passed their first MAC test two weeks ago when they registered a 31-14 win over Central Michigan in Mount Pleasant. However, the injuries have been piling up since the Cincinnati game three weeks ago and added to matchup problems against a powerful Notre Dame offense last week.
“We knew going in ... physically, there were some miss-matches,” MU head coach Chuck Martin said. “We also knew going in that we were shorthanded without Junior (McMullen) and Tony (Reid) on defense. You take away two of your most physical players and two of your leading tacklers ... and it’s problematic.
The RedHawks were also missing some talent/experience along their offensive front.
As for the Falcons, any notable improvement on defense just might be enough to put them over the top. BGSU is tied for last among MAC teams in scoring defense, yielding 35.4 ppg. It nearly hit that number last week while losing at home to Akron, 34-23. The Falcons also lost by 11 to Middle Tennessee the previous week and by eight to South Dakota in Week Two.
Only setbacks to Big Ten members Michigan State (35-10) and Northwestern (49-7) were particularly lopsided.
Here’s more on the two teams.
Miami’s victory was the second of six straight wins to close the regular season.
With its run, MU earned a share of the MAC East crown, but Ohio owned the tie-breaker, sending it to Detroit.
The two teams are favored to battle it out once again for a trip to the MAC Championship game in Detroit.
The RedHawks passed their first MAC test two weeks ago when they registered a 31-14 win over Central Michigan in Mount Pleasant. However, the injuries have been piling up since the Cincinnati game three weeks ago and added to matchup problems against a powerful Notre Dame offense last week.
“We knew going in ... physically, there were some miss-matches,” MU head coach Chuck Martin said. “We also knew going in that we were shorthanded without Junior (McMullen) and Tony (Reid) on defense. You take away two of your most physical players and two of your leading tacklers ... and it’s problematic.
The RedHawks were also missing some talent/experience along their offensive front.
As for the Falcons, any notable improvement on defense just might be enough to put them over the top. BGSU is tied for last among MAC teams in scoring defense, yielding 35.4 ppg. It nearly hit that number last week while losing at home to Akron, 34-23. The Falcons also lost by 11 to Middle Tennessee the previous week and by eight to South Dakota in Week Two.
Only setbacks to Big Ten members Michigan State (35-10) and Northwestern (49-7) were particularly lopsided.
Here’s more on the two teams.
BOWLING GREEN FALCONS (0-5, 0-1 MAC)
● The Falcons and Zips were held a turnover-fest in last week’s encounter. Akron turned the ball over three times, while the Falcons committed four.
Overall, however, BG is second in the MAC in turnover margin (plus-3), thanks in large part to a whopping 10 fumble recoveries in five outings. That is the most in country, with Utah State next at seven recoveries.
● Another major plus for the Falcons – once again – is special teams. New ST coordinator Matt Brock turned the Falcons into one of the top special teams units in the nation last year. The success has continued in 2017. BG is second best in the MAC and 23rd nationally in kick return coverage. The punt return unit ranks 18th nationally and third in the MAC.
● Freshman Andrew Clair had five kick returns for 130 yards (including a 50-yarder) against Akron last week.
● Senior punter Joseph Davidson was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award in 2016. Through five weeks of play, he is second among MAC punters, averaging 45.2 yards per boot and is first in net punting average (44.0). He had a nation’s best nine punts of 60-plus yards in 2016 and owns a career best of 82 yards (vs Toledo, 2016).
● Kicker Jake Suder has yet to miss a field goal in 2017. Dating back to last year, he has hit 11 straight, with eight coming this season.
● Bowling Green averages 16.0 ppg (11th, MAC). It is 11th in rushing offense (101.2 ypg) and last in both offensive and defensive pass efficiency.
● BG rallied with 17 straight points to pull ahead of Akron 23-20 in the third quarter last week. UA regained the lead on Thomas Woodson’s 11-yard run and sealed the verdict on an interception at 8:59 of the final frame.
● R-Sophomore James Morgan and true freshman Jarret Doege combined to complete 24 of 38 for 177 yards and two TDs (both by Morgan) with two interceptions (one each). When Doege started against middle Tennessee, he became the first true freshman to start a Bowling Green game at quarterback since Brian McClure in 1982.
● The Falcons rushed for 181 yards against Akron. Senior Josh Cleveland led the way with 20 carries for 94 yards.
● Akron had just one penalty for five yards, while the Falcons were flagged eight times for 77 yards.
● Scott Miller, an all-conference receiver in 2016, leads BG with 29 catches for 288 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Eighteen of his receptions came in the last two games, including 10 against Akron.
● Junior wideout Datrin Guyton is a junior college transfer who ranks second on the team with 264 receiving yards. His best statistical game to date was against South Dakota with five catches for a game-high 158 yards, including a 49-yard play in the final quarter.
● Btandon Harris (40) and Nate Locke (39) lead BG defenders in tackles. Kyle Junior (4.5) and David Konowalski (4.0) are team leaders in tfl.
● True freshman Andrew Clair leads the Falcons with 384 all-purpose yards – 271 on kick returns, 77 while rushing and 36 on receptions.
MIAMI REDHAWKS (2-3, 1-0 MAC)
● Miami ranks 20th in the country in time of possession (33:17).
● The RedHawks are fifth among MAC teams in both scoring offense (24.4 ppg) and scoring defense (25.6 ppg).
● Notre Dame (52) and Marshall (31) were the only teams to score ofver 21 points on Miami. The latter was got 14 points off two kickoff returns and another 7 from a pick-six interception.
● The RedHawks are plus-1 in turnover margin. Of MU’s three interceptions, two were returned for touchdowns in games decided by five points or less.
Miami did not throw an interception dring its six-game winning streak in 2016.
● In his weekly press conference Monday, Martin indicated that while two early Miami turnovers against Notre Dame didn’t determine the outcome, they didn’t help at all. Both led to Notre Dame scores in a 28-point first quarter for the Irish. “We’ve got to clean up the turnovers,” he said.
● Notre Dame’s powerful front line, containing several NFL prospects “overwhelmed” MU’s defensive front, according to Martin, who feels his defense will return to its stingier self in MAC competition.
● Martin was upbeat about his offense getting 377 yards against ND. “I felt we could move the ball the whole game, (but) it was hard to get a full drive in against them.”We had probably five or six different opportunities to put points on the board. At times (though) we went for it on fourth down. If the game was different, we’re kicking field goals (instead).”
● Quarterback Gus Ragland connected with James Gardner twice in the first half for Miami touchdowns. The first went for 34 yards, while the second was good from 14 yards out.
● Ragland has completed 52.3 percent of his passes (80 of 153), good for 1,143 yards with 10 TDs and three interceptions.He is fourth among MAC passers in both passing yards (228.5 ypg) and pass efficiency.
● Gardner showed signs of returning to form against the Irish. He was injured and basically unavailable for Cincinnati, but leads the RedHawks with 21 receptions for 409 yards (19.5 ypc) with four TDs.
● The RedHawks have shown strength at tight end. Ryan Smith is second among RedHawk receivers with 13 catches for 199 yards (15.3 ypc) and a pair of scores.
● After missing the Cincinnati game, Alonzo Smith has worked his way back into a more steady role. He averaged 6.6 yards per trip against ND, carrying 10 times for 66 yards with a long of 27.
● “We threw the ball. We ran the ball – not great, but more than I thought we would at times,” martin said. “We had 377 yards, which I think is the most they’ve given up this year.”
● Freshman Jaylon Bester’s first few touches as a RedHawk could have gone better, but he had a solid performance at Notre Dame. In addition to five carries for 26 yards, he also handled kickoff returns. His seven returns for 163 yards included a long of 34 yards.
● “it was a pretty interesting afternoon for him. He got a lot of touches, and he made the most of it,” Martin said. “We need him with two of our top tailbacks out.”
● DB Joshua Allen, cornerback Heath harding and linebacker Sam Connolly led Miami with seven tackles each against ND.
● Asked about any lingering mental effects from the decisive loss at Notre Dame, Martin said the team’s MAC goals are in front of it now, and that his a high priority. A focus for his week’s practice has been “keeping things simple and trusting your teammates
● The Falcons and Zips were held a turnover-fest in last week’s encounter. Akron turned the ball over three times, while the Falcons committed four.
Overall, however, BG is second in the MAC in turnover margin (plus-3), thanks in large part to a whopping 10 fumble recoveries in five outings. That is the most in country, with Utah State next at seven recoveries.
● Another major plus for the Falcons – once again – is special teams. New ST coordinator Matt Brock turned the Falcons into one of the top special teams units in the nation last year. The success has continued in 2017. BG is second best in the MAC and 23rd nationally in kick return coverage. The punt return unit ranks 18th nationally and third in the MAC.
● Freshman Andrew Clair had five kick returns for 130 yards (including a 50-yarder) against Akron last week.
● Senior punter Joseph Davidson was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award in 2016. Through five weeks of play, he is second among MAC punters, averaging 45.2 yards per boot and is first in net punting average (44.0). He had a nation’s best nine punts of 60-plus yards in 2016 and owns a career best of 82 yards (vs Toledo, 2016).
● Kicker Jake Suder has yet to miss a field goal in 2017. Dating back to last year, he has hit 11 straight, with eight coming this season.
● Bowling Green averages 16.0 ppg (11th, MAC). It is 11th in rushing offense (101.2 ypg) and last in both offensive and defensive pass efficiency.
● BG rallied with 17 straight points to pull ahead of Akron 23-20 in the third quarter last week. UA regained the lead on Thomas Woodson’s 11-yard run and sealed the verdict on an interception at 8:59 of the final frame.
● R-Sophomore James Morgan and true freshman Jarret Doege combined to complete 24 of 38 for 177 yards and two TDs (both by Morgan) with two interceptions (one each). When Doege started against middle Tennessee, he became the first true freshman to start a Bowling Green game at quarterback since Brian McClure in 1982.
● The Falcons rushed for 181 yards against Akron. Senior Josh Cleveland led the way with 20 carries for 94 yards.
● Akron had just one penalty for five yards, while the Falcons were flagged eight times for 77 yards.
● Scott Miller, an all-conference receiver in 2016, leads BG with 29 catches for 288 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Eighteen of his receptions came in the last two games, including 10 against Akron.
● Junior wideout Datrin Guyton is a junior college transfer who ranks second on the team with 264 receiving yards. His best statistical game to date was against South Dakota with five catches for a game-high 158 yards, including a 49-yard play in the final quarter.
● Btandon Harris (40) and Nate Locke (39) lead BG defenders in tackles. Kyle Junior (4.5) and David Konowalski (4.0) are team leaders in tfl.
● True freshman Andrew Clair leads the Falcons with 384 all-purpose yards – 271 on kick returns, 77 while rushing and 36 on receptions.
MIAMI REDHAWKS (2-3, 1-0 MAC)
● Miami ranks 20th in the country in time of possession (33:17).
● The RedHawks are fifth among MAC teams in both scoring offense (24.4 ppg) and scoring defense (25.6 ppg).
● Notre Dame (52) and Marshall (31) were the only teams to score ofver 21 points on Miami. The latter was got 14 points off two kickoff returns and another 7 from a pick-six interception.
● The RedHawks are plus-1 in turnover margin. Of MU’s three interceptions, two were returned for touchdowns in games decided by five points or less.
Miami did not throw an interception dring its six-game winning streak in 2016.
● In his weekly press conference Monday, Martin indicated that while two early Miami turnovers against Notre Dame didn’t determine the outcome, they didn’t help at all. Both led to Notre Dame scores in a 28-point first quarter for the Irish. “We’ve got to clean up the turnovers,” he said.
● Notre Dame’s powerful front line, containing several NFL prospects “overwhelmed” MU’s defensive front, according to Martin, who feels his defense will return to its stingier self in MAC competition.
● Martin was upbeat about his offense getting 377 yards against ND. “I felt we could move the ball the whole game, (but) it was hard to get a full drive in against them.”We had probably five or six different opportunities to put points on the board. At times (though) we went for it on fourth down. If the game was different, we’re kicking field goals (instead).”
● Quarterback Gus Ragland connected with James Gardner twice in the first half for Miami touchdowns. The first went for 34 yards, while the second was good from 14 yards out.
● Ragland has completed 52.3 percent of his passes (80 of 153), good for 1,143 yards with 10 TDs and three interceptions.He is fourth among MAC passers in both passing yards (228.5 ypg) and pass efficiency.
● Gardner showed signs of returning to form against the Irish. He was injured and basically unavailable for Cincinnati, but leads the RedHawks with 21 receptions for 409 yards (19.5 ypc) with four TDs.
● The RedHawks have shown strength at tight end. Ryan Smith is second among RedHawk receivers with 13 catches for 199 yards (15.3 ypc) and a pair of scores.
● After missing the Cincinnati game, Alonzo Smith has worked his way back into a more steady role. He averaged 6.6 yards per trip against ND, carrying 10 times for 66 yards with a long of 27.
● “We threw the ball. We ran the ball – not great, but more than I thought we would at times,” martin said. “We had 377 yards, which I think is the most they’ve given up this year.”
● Freshman Jaylon Bester’s first few touches as a RedHawk could have gone better, but he had a solid performance at Notre Dame. In addition to five carries for 26 yards, he also handled kickoff returns. His seven returns for 163 yards included a long of 34 yards.
● “it was a pretty interesting afternoon for him. He got a lot of touches, and he made the most of it,” Martin said. “We need him with two of our top tailbacks out.”
● DB Joshua Allen, cornerback Heath harding and linebacker Sam Connolly led Miami with seven tackles each against ND.
● Asked about any lingering mental effects from the decisive loss at Notre Dame, Martin said the team’s MAC goals are in front of it now, and that his a high priority. A focus for his week’s practice has been “keeping things simple and trusting your teammates
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