Justin Judd III brings down Miami's Kenny Young. (MVSmith/MRO) -- CLICK TO ENLARGE By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, Ohio – Bowling Green took advantage of two key Miami turnovers and some RedHawk tackling issues to post a 37-29 victory over the RedHawks Saturday at Yager Stadium. It was BG’s first win of the 2017 season.
Miami (2-4, 1-1 MAC) seemed poised to pull out a victory. Trailing 30-29, MU drove to the Falcons one-yard line with less than two minutes remaining. However, Billy Bahl, subbing for injured starter Gus Ragland, never got the snap from center on Miami’s next play.
The ball, which . . .
OXFORD, Ohio – Bowling Green took advantage of two key Miami turnovers and some RedHawk tackling issues to post a 37-29 victory over the RedHawks Saturday at Yager Stadium. It was BG’s first win of the 2017 season.
Miami (2-4, 1-1 MAC) seemed poised to pull out a victory. Trailing 30-29, MU drove to the Falcons one-yard line with less than two minutes remaining. However, Billy Bahl, subbing for injured starter Gus Ragland, never got the snap from center on Miami’s next play.
The ball, which . . .
Josh Cleveland is brought down by a Miami defender. The senior logged 10 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown before leaving with an injury that occurred on this play. (MVSmith/MRO) . . . deflected off a blocker, fell to the ground and was picked up by Brandon Morgan. He returned it 93 yards for a touchdown with 1:21 left. The PAT then made it 37-29, forcing the hosts to both score a touchdown and a two-point conversion. Miami made it to the Falcons 27 before four straight incompletions ended the hosts final drive.
"Incredibly bizarre," Miami head coach Chuck Martin said. "I've seen a couple things in the last three weeks that I've never seen in 25 years of coaching."
Turnovers ultimately played a part in 21 points. The fumble/return cost Miami seven and added seven to the Falcons total. Another seven potential Miami points dissolved with an interception by Clint Stephens at the Falcons goal line to end the RedHawks opening drive.
Bowling Green then drove 60 yards before kicking a field goal. Miami came right back with another long drive, this time cashing in with a 32-yard TD pass from Ragland to James Gardner. The PAT kick was wide.
"Incredibly bizarre," Miami head coach Chuck Martin said. "I've seen a couple things in the last three weeks that I've never seen in 25 years of coaching."
Turnovers ultimately played a part in 21 points. The fumble/return cost Miami seven and added seven to the Falcons total. Another seven potential Miami points dissolved with an interception by Clint Stephens at the Falcons goal line to end the RedHawks opening drive.
Bowling Green then drove 60 yards before kicking a field goal. Miami came right back with another long drive, this time cashing in with a 32-yard TD pass from Ragland to James Gardner. The PAT kick was wide.
Alonzo Smith tries to get by Gus Schwietman (63) and other Falcon defenders. Smith had 46 yards on 10 carries. As a team, MU totaled 238 rushing yards. (MVSmith/MRO)
MU went up 13-3 following a Ragland run at 13:44 of the second quarter.
Bowling Green closed the gap on its next drive with one of many chunk plays by the Falcons. Josh Cleveland covered the final 33 yards.
Cleveland carried 10 times for 117 yards and a TD on the day, while Andrew Clair led BG with 16 carries for 121 yards. Bowling Green totaled 275 net yards with its ground game.
Miami extended its lead to 16-10 on a Sam Sloman 22-yarder at 4:23, and James Morgan hit Matt Wilcox for a two-yard TD on the following drive. MU then managed to drive close enough for another Sloman field goal with three seconds remaining – this one from 39 yards for a 19-17 RedHawks lead at the break.
Bowling Green closed the gap on its next drive with one of many chunk plays by the Falcons. Josh Cleveland covered the final 33 yards.
Cleveland carried 10 times for 117 yards and a TD on the day, while Andrew Clair led BG with 16 carries for 121 yards. Bowling Green totaled 275 net yards with its ground game.
Miami extended its lead to 16-10 on a Sam Sloman 22-yarder at 4:23, and James Morgan hit Matt Wilcox for a two-yard TD on the following drive. MU then managed to drive close enough for another Sloman field goal with three seconds remaining – this one from 39 yards for a 19-17 RedHawks lead at the break.
Jared Murphy takes a crunching blow from BG's Fred Garth. Murphy spun off the hit and made it to the end zone to complete a 36-yard pass play. (MVSmith/MRO) Bowling Green hit the jackpot on its first play of the second half when Moran combined with Teo Redding for a 75-yard pass play that put the Falcons in front, 24-19.
A Bowling Green penalty helped MU start out with good field position on its next drive and the RedHawks used just four plays to score. Ragland hit Murphy over the middle, and the redshirt sophomore shook off a big hit to finish the 36-yard TD play.
Ragland went down midway through the third quarter, Balhl, who started for MU through the first half of 2016, took over and the RedHawks added Sloman’s third field goal of the day (45 yards) with eight ticks remaining in the third period.
That proved to be Miami’s last points. Morgan hit Teo Redding again – this time from nine yards out – to give the visitors a 30-29 lead. With Miami’s fumble in the closing minutes, it proved to be enough. The fumble return was icing on the BG cake.
(It was) "an incredibly difficult loss," Martin said. "The end of the story should be Billy Bahl coming in ... and us finding a way to win a gutsy game."
A Bowling Green penalty helped MU start out with good field position on its next drive and the RedHawks used just four plays to score. Ragland hit Murphy over the middle, and the redshirt sophomore shook off a big hit to finish the 36-yard TD play.
Ragland went down midway through the third quarter, Balhl, who started for MU through the first half of 2016, took over and the RedHawks added Sloman’s third field goal of the day (45 yards) with eight ticks remaining in the third period.
That proved to be Miami’s last points. Morgan hit Teo Redding again – this time from nine yards out – to give the visitors a 30-29 lead. With Miami’s fumble in the closing minutes, it proved to be enough. The fumble return was icing on the BG cake.
(It was) "an incredibly difficult loss," Martin said. "The end of the story should be Billy Bahl coming in ... and us finding a way to win a gutsy game."
James Morgan tossed three touchdown passes, including a 75-yarder, against Miami. (MVSmith/MRO) Morgan completed 11 of 25 for 222 yards with three TDs and one interception. Redding totaled 197 yards and two scores on eight receptions.
Miami got 374 yards and two TDs (1 INT) oveall. Ragland went 16 of 26 with two tTDs and a pick. Bahl was 8 of 17 for 119 yards.
Gardner led RedHawk receivers with five catches for 126 yards and a score. Murphy also had five catches and a score to go wwith 89 receiving yards.
Like the Falcons, Miami also had a good day on the ground, totaling 238 yards and a score. Kenny Young went for 113 yards on 19 trips. Ragland had 78 yards and a TD before leaving. Alonzo Smith carried 10 times for 46 yards.
Miami goes to Kent State next Saturday, while Bowling Green hosts MAC East preseason media favorite Ohio.
Miami got 374 yards and two TDs (1 INT) oveall. Ragland went 16 of 26 with two tTDs and a pick. Bahl was 8 of 17 for 119 yards.
Gardner led RedHawk receivers with five catches for 126 yards and a score. Murphy also had five catches and a score to go wwith 89 receiving yards.
Like the Falcons, Miami also had a good day on the ground, totaling 238 yards and a score. Kenny Young went for 113 yards on 19 trips. Ragland had 78 yards and a TD before leaving. Alonzo Smith carried 10 times for 46 yards.
Miami goes to Kent State next Saturday, while Bowling Green hosts MAC East preseason media favorite Ohio.
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