Falcons Fall In Conference Opener Against Kent State

Saturday, September 21

Kent, Ohio

3:30 PM

Bowling Green State University

1-3 , 0-1

Kent State

2-2 , 1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Bowling Green

Kent State

September 21, 2019 | Football

Box Score

By: by BGSU Athletic Communications

KENT, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University football team fell to the Kent State Golden Flashes on Saturday (Sept. 21) by a score of 62-20 at Dix Stadium in the Mid-American Conference opener. The loss moves BGSU's record on the season to 1-3 and 0-1 in the MAC, while Kent State is now 2-2 with a 1-0 MAC standing.

The Falcons found the end zone for the first time on their second drive. A Darius Wade pass found the hands of a crossing RB Marlow III for a 45-yard gain, putting Bowling Green in the red zone for the first time. From there, Andrew Clair took the reigns, running in a three-yard touchdown to cap off a five-play, 75-yard drive. Nate Needham's extra point attempt was good to bring the score to 14-7 Kent State with 4:03 remaining in the first quarter.

The Bowling Green offense would find the end zone again early in the fourth quarter, coming off of a Grant Loy 13-yard run to finish off a 10-play, 75-yard drive. The drive was stunted by a 21-yard run by Andrew Clair to begin the drive.

The Orange and Brown would score again with 1:54 remaining in the game. Loy found running back Bryson Denley in the back of the end zone for six to move the score to 55-20. The score capped a nine-play, 77-yard drive highlighted by two 20-yard pass completions from Loy, the first being to Quintin Morris and the second to Rodell Rahmaan.

OFFENSIVE NOTES

The Falcons totaled 360 yards of offense on 74 plays, including 20 first downs. As a team, 154 yards were gained on the ground via the rush, marking the third time in four games the Orange and Brown have surpassed the century mark for rushing.
Clair led the team in rushing, racking up 61 yards on the ground over 14 carries while also finding the end zone for one of the three BGSU touchdowns.
Davon Jones and Bryson Denley both chipped in on the ground gaining 34 and 33 yards, respectively. Jones saw six carries while Denley received seven.
Highlighted by a 45-yard catch in the first quarter, Marlow II was atop the receiving list for the Falcons, accumulating 69 yards on six catches.
Morris and Clair each saw four catches, gaining 47 and 23 yards, respectively.
During the first drive of the fourth quarter, freshman wide receiver Jake Rogers hauled in his first-career reception, resulting in a one-yard gain. Rogers has primarily served as a returner in the first few games this season.
Under center, Darius Wade drew the start for the Falcons, going 18-for-25 through the air for 161 yards.
Loy saw time later in the game as the signal caller, throwing a touchdown on a 5-for-8, 45-yard stat line.

DEFENSIVE NOTES

Senior linebacker Brandon Perce logged a career-high 15 tackles against the Flashes, including two solo tackles for a loss and two tackle assists for a loss.
Nico Lautanen, a senior defensive lineman, recorded the lone BGSU sack in the game, marking his first of the season and fourth of his career.
With 10 tackles, Jerry McBride upped his season-high in the stat with a previous high of seven, which came against Kansas State.
Also with 10 tackles, Jamari Bozeman saw his season high increase from his nine against Louisiana Tech a week ago.

SPECIAL TEAM NOTES

For the second time in four games, punter Matt Naranjo averaged over 40 yards a punt, rounding out at 41.1 yards an attempt, including a game-long 60 yarder. Naranjo was just .22 yards away from averaging 40 against Louisiana Tech a week ago.

UP NEXT

Bowling Green will have a bye week before resuming their schedule for the season, taking on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame on Oct. 5. The Falcons will travel to South Bend, Ind. for the 3:30 p.m. kickoff at Notre Dame Stadium. The contest is set to be broadcast live on NBC.
On a 14-day bye, the time off will serve as the longest in-season break for the Falcons since 2013, a break that spanned 14 days between games against Mississippi State and Toledo.
Notre Dame is off to a hot start, standing with a 2-0 record going into Saturday (Sept. 21) with wins over Louisville and New Mexico. With an 8 p.m. start, the Fighting Irish will face Georgia tonight (Sept. 21) in Athens, Ga.
The game on Oct. 5 will serve as the first meeting on the gridiron between Bowling Green and Notre Dame. Across all sports, the two universities will meet twice in ice hockey this season and previously played in volleyball, as well.
Following the game against Notre Dame, BGSU will focus on the Battle of I-75, taking place at The Doyt on Oct. 12. While serving as Family Weekend in Bowling Green, the game will also recognize the 100th Anniversary of Falcon football.