Each week, The Blade will recap the most interesting Bowling Green State University football grades released by Pro Football Focus, the scouting website that evaluates players’ performance on every play of every game. For context, grades are based on a 0-100 scale.
Terion Stewart (95.7): The Falcons’ running back continued to make big plays, even against the sixth-best rushing defense in the country, in Saturday’s 38-7 loss to Ohio. Stewart finished with 12 carries on 13 snaps for 107 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Stewart rumbled for a 29-yard gain in the first quarter, darted for 46 yards on the carry before his touchdown, and added an 8-yard run on the Falcons’ final possession. His efforts helped BGSU post an 84.5 run grade, which was the highest team grade of the week for the Falcons. Through four games, Stewart’s 92.6 grade is the best on the team.
Pass blocking (27.2): BGSU had problems protecting the quarterback for the third time in four games. The Falcons allowed three sacks and 11 quarterback hurries. BGSU’s pass blocking grade of 38.2 for the season ranks 130th out of 133 teams in the FBS.
Joseph Sipp, Jr. (78.9): For the third time in four games this season, Sipp led the Falcons in total tackles. The sophomore linebacker had seven Saturday against the Bobcats; he had 12 in a 34-24 loss at Liberty on Sept. 2 and eight in a 38-15 victory over Eastern Illinois on Sept. 9. Sipp’s 31 total tackles leads the team so far this season, and he has already soared past his mark from last year (19 in 12 games). Sipp’s 43 snaps played vs. Ohio were the third most for BGSU’s defense behind the 46 apiece from Darius Lorfils and Jordan Oladokun.
Defense (70): BGSU had a solid defensive grade against Ohio, highlighted by season bests in run defense (74.8) and tackling (76.8). The Falcons’ 73.3 pass rush grade was their second best through four games. BGSU allowed 328 yards to Ohio after giving 312 and 325 to Michigan and Eastern Illinois, respectively, the previous two weeks. BGSU has already matched last season’s mark of holding four opponents to less than 390 yards.
First Published September 25, 2023, 8:23 p.m.
