BOWLING GREEN — Bowling Green State University football coach Scot Loeffler isn’t necessarily a fan of a quirky portion of his team’s schedule this weekend.
Nevertheless, the Falcons will do their best to get ready for another challenging opponent.
After opening Mid-American Conference play with a home loss to Ohio last weekend, BGSU (1-3) will play in its last nonconference game of the regular season when it travels to Atlanta to battle Georgia Tech (2-2) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
For the first time since 2019, BGSU will play a nonleague game in between two MAC contests; the Falcons are at Miami (Ohio) on Oct. 7. A loss at Notre Dame was sandwiched between MAC games against Kent State and Toledo four years ago.
“I don’t like it, but who cares,” Loeffler said. “I want to play the nonconference games and then start the MAC schedule, but it didn’t work out that way.
“I do not like how our schedule was set up whatsoever, but it is what it is. What are you going to do, are you going to change it? No. You’ve got to go play the games the way that they schedule them.”
The Falcons and Yellow Jackets will be meeting for the second time on the gridiron. Georgia Tech won 63-17 in 2018.
When BGSU has the ball
Turnovers have been a big story for BGSU’s offense — the Falcons’ 12 turnovers are tied with Tulsa for the most in the FBS — but the Falcons could be able to exploit some Georgia Tech weaknesses. The Yellow Jackets’ 236.5 rushing yards per game allowed are the third worst in the FBS, and their 425.2 yards per game given up overall ranks 115th. BGSU sophomore running back Terion Stewart, who is coming off his best game of the season vs. a stingy Ohio defense (12 carries, 107 yards, one touchdown), has 215 yards and three scores on 32 rushes (6.7 yards per carry) this season.
The Falcons, though, have been held to just 13 points and 411 yards the past two games.
When Georgia Tech has the ball
Be prepared for some possible fireworks when Georgia Tech has possession; what the Yellow Jackets lack in defense, they certainly make up for on offense. Georgia Tech averages 480 yards per game (tied for 17th in FBS), including 192 rushing yards (tied for 34th) per outing. Redshirt sophomore Haynes King, who transferred from Texas A&M prior to the season, has thrown for 1,132 yards, 11 touchdowns, and two interceptions while completing 65.1 percent (84 of 129) of his passes. He also averages 4.8 yards per carry and has a rushing score as well.
BGSU ranks in the top half of the MAC and FBS in total defense by allowing 338.5 yards per game. The Falcons have forced at least one turnover in each game, including four vs. No. 2 Michigan on Sept. 16, and has held each of their last three opponents to less than 330 total yards.
Special teams
Georgia Tech has blocked two kicks, and BGSU one so far this season. Redshirt senior defensive back Jaylon King has one of those blocks for the Yellow Jackets and a team-high two interceptions.
Meanwhile, BGSU senior running back PaSean Wimberly had his first big special teams play of the season when he went untouched off the edge and tackled Ohio punter Jared Wheatley – who bobbled the snap on a fourth down deep in Bobcats’ territory – for a 15-yard loss on Saturday. Wimberly had three blocked punts a year ago.
BGSU will win if…
The Falcons have to win the turnover battle by a wide margin to stay within reach of the high-powered Yellow Jackets. All 12 of BGSU’s turnovers have been in its three losses, so taking care of the ball will be crucial for the Falcons. An effort like BGSU had when it forced Michigan into multiple turnovers in the first half will be needed if the Falcons want to pull off the upset.
Georgia Tech will win if…
The Yellow Jackets get off to a fast start. Georgia Tech has only scored 21 points in the first quarter this season, but have outscored its opponents 58-13 in the second frame. The longer the Yellow Jackets let the Falcons hang around, the more confidence BGSU could gain.
First Published September 27, 2023, 8:16 p.m.
