BOWLING GREEN — It’s never too early to look ahead.
Bowling Green State University’s football team improved to a 4-8 record following a winless and noncompetitive 2020. The 2021 slate of victories included a 2-2 nonconference record, and perhaps one of, if not the biggest shocker of the college football season with a victory at 31½-point favorite Minnesota in September.
Here is an early look at the nonconference schedule for the Falcons in 2022:
Sept. 3: at UCLA
A matchup six years in the making will kick off the year. Bowling Green and UCLA agreed to this meeting in October 2016, as part of BGSU scheduling two Pac-12 opponents for future nonconference tilts. The Falcons will travel to Arizona State for a game in Tempe on Sept. 5, 2026.
Led by head coach Chip Kelly, UCLA went 8-4 overall this season. BGSU will likely have to deal with former Michigan running back Zach Charbonnet, who rushed for 1,137 yards and 13 TDs. The Bruins could also get a bump from the third-best 2022 recruiting class in the Pac-12.
This is a homecoming game for Falcons quarterback Matt McDonald and receiver Austin Osborne. Both are southern California natives and attended Mission Viejo High School, which is about 65 miles south of Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. The duo could have a big game against a UCLA pass defense that ranks last in the Pac-12 this season.
Sept. 10: vs. Eastern Kentucky
The Colonels of the Football Championship Subdivision’s ASUN Conference travel to Doyt Perry Stadium for the Falcons’ home opener. Eastern Kentucky received votes in the final Stats Perform FCS Top 25 rankings.
EKU plays in one of the better conferences in the FCS, along with No. 1-ranked Sam Houston and No. 20 Stephen F. Austin. Eastern Kentucky's Davion Ross, a sophomore, was the ASUN defensive player of the year after returning three interceptions for touchdowns. EKU’s Walt Wells was named league coach of the year after leading his team to a 7-4 record this season following a 3-6 finish in 2020.
BGSU is 2-0 against FCS competition under coach Scot Loeffler with wins over Morgan State (46-3 in 2019) and Murray State (27-10 in 2021).
Sept. 24: at Mississippi State
Following an off week, the Falcons trek South to Starkville, Miss., for a matchup against the Southeastern Conference’s Bulldogs.
Bowling Green and Mississippi State are much different programs than the last time BGSU faced the Bulldogs in 2013. Current Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott led Mississippi State to a 21-20 win that day. BGSU stopped the Bulldogs on fourth-and-1 to get the ball back with 4:21 to go, but couldn't get inside field-goal range.
An improved Falcons secondary could have a big test against Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers, who ranks second in the FBS with 4,449 passing yards to go with 35 TDs (seventh nationally).
This game will be played nearly one year from when BGSU defeated Minnesota. Could the Falcons go on the road and do it again?
Oct. 1: vs. Marshall
The final nonconference primer for BGSU is against Conference USA’s Thundering Herd, which finished 7-5 overall.
BGSU’s defensive game plan will undoubtedly center on running back Rasheen Ali, a lightly-recruited freshman sensation. He has rushed for 1,241 yards and 20 touchdowns this season. He is tied for first nationally in rushing touchdowns and second in total touchdowns (22) and scoring per game (11.0). The Falcons this season allowed 30 rushing TDs, tied for second most in the MAC.
Marshall run game coordinator/running back coach Telly Lockette was tabbed a nominee for the 2021 Broyles Award, an honor given annually to the nation's top assistant coach.
Bowling Green will face Marshall for the third time since the Herd left the MAC in 2005. The Falcons lost by seven in 2009 and won by 16 in 2010.
First Published December 1, 2021, 4:37 p.m.
