Bowling Green State University Athletics
Saturday, November 2
Bowling Green, Ohio
2:00 PM
Bowling Green State University
3-6 , 2-3
35
vs
6
Akron
0-9 , 0-5
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Akron
6
0
0
0
6
Bowling Green
7
14
7
7
35
Photo by: Scott W. Grau
Falcons Sack Zips In Saturday Victory At The Doyt
November 02, 2019 | Football
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Bowling Green State University football team celebrated Senior Day successfully with an emphatic 35-6 victory against the University of Akron on Saturday (Nov. 2) at Doyt L. Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio. The win gives BGSU a 3-6 overall record and maintains hope for bowl eligibility. The Falcons also improve to 2-3 in Mid-American Conference play.
The Falcons fell behind 6-0 early after Akron made field goals on their first two possessions. However, BGSU marched 72 yards for a touchdown on its second drive. Andrew Clair dove in from two yards out, and Nate Needham's extra point gave the Falcons all the points they needed. The game marks the first come-from-behind victory in the Scot Loeffler era.
Bowling Green extended the lead in the second quarter by intercepting Akron on consecutive drives and scoring touchdowns after each.
The Orange and Brown defense racked up season-highs in sacks, tackles for loss and interceptions, and they allowed their fewest rushing yards since 2016.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
Bowling Green produced 156 rushing yards, marking the fifth time in 2019 they have surpassed the 150 mark. They are now 18 yards from the 1,500 yard mark for the season.
The Falcons held the ball for 37:02, just 1:05 shy of their season high for time of possession. In the second half, they possessed the ball for 22:39 while Akron managed only 7:21.
BGSU was very efficient, as they converted 10 of 21 third down attempts. The ten conversions were the most in a single game in 2019, while the conversion percentage of 47.6 is second-best behind only 52.9 (9-for-17) against Morgan State. The Falcons were also 5-for-7 in the red zone.
Andrew Clair led all rushers in his return to the field with 86 yards; he also doubled his season touchdown total with two scores. Bryson Denley added 62 yards and his third rushing touchdown of 2019.
Grant Loy rushed for ten yards and a touchdown, giving him 363 yards and four rushing touchdowns for the season, both of which are team highs. He also completed 12 passes for 113 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.
Quintin Morris leads the Falcons in season totals for receptions, receiving yards, and now touchdowns. He caught four passes for 53 yards and a touchdown, which gives him 44 catches, 515 yards and three touchdowns in 2019.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
By allowing only six points, Bowling Green finished its third game in 2019 with fewer than ten points allowed. This is the first season since 2013 with three or more games of single-digit scoring by opponents.
BGSU allowed only 100 total yards on 57 plays from scrimmage. That represents the second fewest yards allowed by the Falcons in 2018; Morgan State produced only 70.
While the Falcons allowed fewer yards to Morgan State, they held the Zips to the same yards-per-play average (1.75).
The Zips finished the first quarter with 45 total yards in 20 plays; they gained only 55 yards in 37 plays after that and only 27 in 20 after halftime.
Akron managed only 29 yards rushing on 31 attempts. In the last two meetings with the Zips, the Falcons have allowed only 108 yards on the ground in 59 attempts, an average of just 1.83 per play.
This is the fewest rushing yards against BGSU since Kent State gained only 9 yards on 22 carries in a 42-7 BGSU win on Nov. 15, 2016.
The Falcons forced four turnovers, including a season-high three interceptions. Those three doubled BGSU's season total to date.
Akron finished with only one conversion in 13 third-down attempts, and they failed on their lone fourth-down attempt. Their previous best showing in 2019 was against Morgan State, when the Falcons held the Bears to 2-for-12 on third down.
Bowling Green's pass rush racked up a season-high six sacks and now has 23 thus far in 2019. This improves on previous games of five (Toledo, Louisiana Tech) and four sacks (Morgan State). BG also produced a season-best 13 tackles for loss. The previous high was nine against Toledo.
The interceptions by Karl Brooks, Davin Wilson and Ty Redding were each the first of their careers. Redding returned his for 38 yards and Brooks for 33; the combined 76 return yards were the first of the season via interception for the Falcons.
Brooks added five tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. The 2.5 tackles for loss is a new single-game best, while 1.5 sacks matches his previous high, which he achieved last season at Akron.
Brandon Perce once again led BGSU with eight tackles and maintains his season lead with 89. His total included 2.5 tackles for loss, which gives him seven in 2019. He also earned 1.5 sacks and increased his career total to two.
David Konowalski produced only four tackles but made them count, as 2.5 went for a loss. He has a team-best 8.5 tackles for loss in 2019, including three sacks, one of which he registered today.
One of Melvin Jackson's two tackles was a strip sack that led to a BGSU touchdown. Three of his 13 total tackles in 2019 have been sacks.
Walter Haire and Nico Lautanen were each credited with an assist on a sack; Kholbe Coleman (1.5), Antonyo Sotolongo (1.0), Jerry Roberts (0.5) and Jevon Henderson (0.5) all had tackles for loss.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
Nate Needham was 5-for-5 in extra point attempts and did not attempt a field goal.
Mason Lawler posted a 50.7 yard average on his six kickoffs.
Matt Naranjo punted six times and placed three inside Akron's 20 yard line.
Jake Rogers returned four punts for 29 yards; his season total entering the game was 28.
WHAT'S NEXT?
BGSU has a week off before starting the midweek #MACtion portion of their schedule. The Falcons return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET when they travel to Oxford, Ohio to face the Miami University RedHawks. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 or ESPNU (to be determined at a later date).
Miami is 4-4 overall and tied for first in the MAC's Eastern Division with a 3-1 record. Their next game is Wednesday, Nov. 6 at Ohio.
The Falcons are 24-44-5 all-time against the RedHawks. The teams have split the last 12 meetings dating back to 2005, but Bowling Green is 5-1 in Oxford during that span and have won the last four, including a 37-29 decision in 2017.
FOLLOW THE FALCONS
For more information on BGSU football, follow the Falcons on Twitter (@BGAthletics and @BG_Football), Instagram (@BGFalcons and @BGSU_Football) and Facebook (BGSUAthletic) as well as on the web at BGSUFalcons.com.
Gallery: (11/3/2019) Football vs. Akron, 11/2/19
The Falcons fell behind 6-0 early after Akron made field goals on their first two possessions. However, BGSU marched 72 yards for a touchdown on its second drive. Andrew Clair dove in from two yards out, and Nate Needham's extra point gave the Falcons all the points they needed. The game marks the first come-from-behind victory in the Scot Loeffler era.
Bowling Green extended the lead in the second quarter by intercepting Akron on consecutive drives and scoring touchdowns after each.
The Orange and Brown defense racked up season-highs in sacks, tackles for loss and interceptions, and they allowed their fewest rushing yards since 2016.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
Bowling Green produced 156 rushing yards, marking the fifth time in 2019 they have surpassed the 150 mark. They are now 18 yards from the 1,500 yard mark for the season.
The Falcons held the ball for 37:02, just 1:05 shy of their season high for time of possession. In the second half, they possessed the ball for 22:39 while Akron managed only 7:21.
BGSU was very efficient, as they converted 10 of 21 third down attempts. The ten conversions were the most in a single game in 2019, while the conversion percentage of 47.6 is second-best behind only 52.9 (9-for-17) against Morgan State. The Falcons were also 5-for-7 in the red zone.
Andrew Clair led all rushers in his return to the field with 86 yards; he also doubled his season touchdown total with two scores. Bryson Denley added 62 yards and his third rushing touchdown of 2019.
Grant Loy rushed for ten yards and a touchdown, giving him 363 yards and four rushing touchdowns for the season, both of which are team highs. He also completed 12 passes for 113 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.
Quintin Morris leads the Falcons in season totals for receptions, receiving yards, and now touchdowns. He caught four passes for 53 yards and a touchdown, which gives him 44 catches, 515 yards and three touchdowns in 2019.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
By allowing only six points, Bowling Green finished its third game in 2019 with fewer than ten points allowed. This is the first season since 2013 with three or more games of single-digit scoring by opponents.
BGSU allowed only 100 total yards on 57 plays from scrimmage. That represents the second fewest yards allowed by the Falcons in 2018; Morgan State produced only 70.
While the Falcons allowed fewer yards to Morgan State, they held the Zips to the same yards-per-play average (1.75).
The Zips finished the first quarter with 45 total yards in 20 plays; they gained only 55 yards in 37 plays after that and only 27 in 20 after halftime.
Akron managed only 29 yards rushing on 31 attempts. In the last two meetings with the Zips, the Falcons have allowed only 108 yards on the ground in 59 attempts, an average of just 1.83 per play.
This is the fewest rushing yards against BGSU since Kent State gained only 9 yards on 22 carries in a 42-7 BGSU win on Nov. 15, 2016.
The Falcons forced four turnovers, including a season-high three interceptions. Those three doubled BGSU's season total to date.
Akron finished with only one conversion in 13 third-down attempts, and they failed on their lone fourth-down attempt. Their previous best showing in 2019 was against Morgan State, when the Falcons held the Bears to 2-for-12 on third down.
Bowling Green's pass rush racked up a season-high six sacks and now has 23 thus far in 2019. This improves on previous games of five (Toledo, Louisiana Tech) and four sacks (Morgan State). BG also produced a season-best 13 tackles for loss. The previous high was nine against Toledo.
The interceptions by Karl Brooks, Davin Wilson and Ty Redding were each the first of their careers. Redding returned his for 38 yards and Brooks for 33; the combined 76 return yards were the first of the season via interception for the Falcons.
Brooks added five tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. The 2.5 tackles for loss is a new single-game best, while 1.5 sacks matches his previous high, which he achieved last season at Akron.
Brandon Perce once again led BGSU with eight tackles and maintains his season lead with 89. His total included 2.5 tackles for loss, which gives him seven in 2019. He also earned 1.5 sacks and increased his career total to two.
David Konowalski produced only four tackles but made them count, as 2.5 went for a loss. He has a team-best 8.5 tackles for loss in 2019, including three sacks, one of which he registered today.
One of Melvin Jackson's two tackles was a strip sack that led to a BGSU touchdown. Three of his 13 total tackles in 2019 have been sacks.
Walter Haire and Nico Lautanen were each credited with an assist on a sack; Kholbe Coleman (1.5), Antonyo Sotolongo (1.0), Jerry Roberts (0.5) and Jevon Henderson (0.5) all had tackles for loss.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
Nate Needham was 5-for-5 in extra point attempts and did not attempt a field goal.
Mason Lawler posted a 50.7 yard average on his six kickoffs.
Matt Naranjo punted six times and placed three inside Akron's 20 yard line.
Jake Rogers returned four punts for 29 yards; his season total entering the game was 28.
WHAT'S NEXT?
BGSU has a week off before starting the midweek #MACtion portion of their schedule. The Falcons return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET when they travel to Oxford, Ohio to face the Miami University RedHawks. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 or ESPNU (to be determined at a later date).
Miami is 4-4 overall and tied for first in the MAC's Eastern Division with a 3-1 record. Their next game is Wednesday, Nov. 6 at Ohio.
The Falcons are 24-44-5 all-time against the RedHawks. The teams have split the last 12 meetings dating back to 2005, but Bowling Green is 5-1 in Oxford during that span and have won the last four, including a 37-29 decision in 2017.
FOLLOW THE FALCONS
For more information on BGSU football, follow the Falcons on Twitter (@BGAthletics and @BG_Football), Instagram (@BGFalcons and @BGSU_Football) and Facebook (BGSUAthletic) as well as on the web at BGSUFalcons.com.
Team Stats
AKRON
BGSU
Total Yards
100
276
Pass Yards
71
120
Rushing Yards
29
156
Penalty Yards
46
115
1st Downs
7
17
3rd Downs
1
10
4th Downs
0
1
TOP
22:58
37:02
1st Quarter
AKRON 3, BGSU 0
AKRON - SMIGEL,CORY 35 yd field goal 12 plays, 53 yards, TOP 4:41
AKRON 6, BGSU 0
AKRON - SMIGEL,CORY 35 yd field goal 6 plays, 17 yards, TOP 1:50
AKRON 6, BGSU 7
BGSU - CLAIR, Andrew 2 yd run (NEEDHAM, Nate kick), 8 plays, 72 yards, TOP 2:47
2nd Quarter
AKRON 6, BGSU 14
BGSU - MORRIS, Quintin 2 yd pass from LOY, Grant (NEEDHAM, Nate kick) 5 plays, 20 yards, TOP 1:22
AKRON 6, BGSU 21
BGSU - LOY, Grant 6 yd run (NEEDHAM, Nate kick), 2 plays, 8 yards, TOP 0:36
3rd Quarter
AKRON 6, BGSU 28
BGSU - DENLEY, Bryson 2 yd run (NEEDHAM, Nate kick), 3 plays, 6 yards, TOP 0:44
4th Quarter
AKRON 6, BGSU 35
BGSU - CLAIR, Andrew 4 yd run (NEEDHAM, Nate kick), 9 plays, 58 yards, TOP 5:10
Game Leaders
CMP
1
TD
0
YDS
7
INT
0
Players Mentioned
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DL
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DB
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