Zips Rally Past Falcons, 35-20

Saturday, October 9

Bowling Green, OH

12:00 PM

Bowling Green State University

2-4 , 0-2

Akron

2-4 , 1-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Akron

Bowling Green

Photo by: Mallory Hiser, BGSU Athletics

October 09, 2021 | Football

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Bowling Green Postgame Notes Bowling Green Postgame Quotes Akron Postgame Quotes Video Highlights Photo Gallery

Broden has 111 receiving yards, two TDs for BGSU

By: BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (BGSU Strategic Communications)

The University of Akron scored three third-quarter touchdowns to erase a halftime deficit, and the Zips went on to a 35-20 win over the Bowling Green State University football team on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 9). The Mid-American Conference East Division matchup was held at Perry Stadium.

Zach Gibson came off the bench to go 14-of-15 through the air for the Zips (2-4, 1-1 MAC), throwing for 177 yards and three TDs. Konata Mumpfield caught two of those TD tosses, while Blake Hester ran for 120 yards and two scores.

Tyrone Broden caught four passes for 111 yards and a pair of TDs for the Falcons (2-4, 0-2 MAC).

Matt McDonald threw for 257 yards and the two scores, going 21-of-35 through the air.

FROM THE LOCKER ROOM
"We're proud of our effort. Effort is not the problem, it's the attention to detail. It's the little things. Everything matters. Everything counts. And we need to learn how to win."

"I thought they made plays ... and broken plays they had recovered. When we got out of coverage a few times, the guy [Akron QB Zach Gibson] scrambled around and made a heck of a play. But that's football, you've got to stay in coverage. We need to do a better job in that." -- BGSU Head Coach Scot Loeffler

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Falcons took a 13-0 lead in the first half, as McDonald found Broden on a 40-yard scoring play on the opening drive, and Nate Needham kicked field goals of 35 and 26 yards, respectively.

The Zips got on the board on a Hester run with 6:07 left in the opening half. After an Akron interception deep in UA territory, the visitors drove to the BG 18-yard line, but Devin Taylor blocked a field-goal attempt in the final seconds of the half.

UT scored on three-straight drives to begin the second half, with Mumpfield catching a pair of Gibson tosses and Nik Ogrenovic one. Hester scored on a 37-yard run early in the fourth quarter, but BG quickly moved downfield on the next drive, with McDonald completing a 23-yard pass to Cavon Croom and a 45-yard strike to Broden on back-to-back plays. After an incompletion, McDonald found Broden for a 10-yard score with 8:03 left in the game.

The BG defense held on the ensuing Akron drive, and Sy Dabney blocked a punt to give BG the ball at the Zips' 15-yard line. But, an interception in the end zone stalled the Falcons' comeback bid.

Jaison Patterson had 79 yards on 15 carries to lead the BG rushing attack, while Austin Osborne and Taron Keith each had five receptions and Broden four.

UA had a narrow 385-364 lead in total offense.

Defensively, Darren Anders had a team-high 10 tackles, while Davon Ferguson had nine and Dabney eight. Jordan Anderson recovered a fumble and had an interception, while Karl Brooks had 3.5 tackles for loss, including a pair of sacks.

TOUCHDOWN BG!!!

McDonald ➡️ Broden on a 40-yard scoring strike!

BGSU leads early, 7-0 | 11:53 • 1 QT

Watch the game LIVE: https://t.co/PEQgD1OM6A ($)#AyZiggy 🟠🟤 pic.twitter.com/nhBuhPQPp2
— BG Football (@BG_Football) October 9, 2021

FALCON TEAM NOTES
• BGSU scored a touchdown on its opening drive of the game. It marks the third time this season, and the second consecutive game, that the Falcons have scored on their opening drive of a game.
• BG's defense allowed three yards of total offense in the first quarter and caused two turnovers.
• BGSU rushed for 107 yards, which is the 18th time in the Scot Loeffler era the Falcons have rushed for 100+ yards. It is the second time this season. BGSU is 1-1 when the Falcons rush for 100+ yards in 2021.
• BGSU blocked a field goal and a punt against the Zips. BGSU has blocked four kicks on the season.

FALCON PLAYER NOTES
• WR Tyrone Broden notched a career-high 111 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The two touchdowns were also a career high.
• The 111 receiving yards are the most by a Falcon since Scotty Miller had 115 against Buffalo in 2018.
• Broden is the first Falcon to notch two receiving touchdowns in a game since Quintin Morris in 2019 against Morgan State.
• With four catches, Broden extends his active streak with at least one catch to six games.
• QB Matt McDonald threw a career-high two touchdown passes. He also passed for 257 yards, which is the fourth time this season and the fifth time in his career he has surpassed 200 yards of passing.
• PK Nate Needham's field goal of 35 yards in the first quarter was just his second attempt under 30 yards this season. He later added a 26-yard field goal in the second quarter, which was his shortest attempt of the season.
• TB Jaison Patterson rushed for a career-high 79 yards.
• WR Austin Osborne notched five catches to extend his active streak with at least one catch to six games.

FALCON STAT LEADERS
• QB Matt McDonald 21-of-35 passing, 257 passing yards, two TDs
• WR Tyrone Broden four catches, 111 receiving yards
• RB Jaison Patterson 15 rushes for 79 rushing yards
• ILB Darren Anders 10 tackles, 1.0 sack
• DE Karl Brooks four tackles, 2.0 sacks, 3.5 TFLs

UP NEXT
The Falcons head to DeKalb next weekend for a Saturday (Oct. 16) game against Northern Illinois. Kickoff is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m ET start, and the game will be aired on ESPN+.