BOWLING GREEN — It wasn’t too long ago that Bowling Green State University’s football program was in the same position as Kent State is in now.

That’s why Scot Loeffler isn’t taking anything for granted on Saturday.

“You could take all those logos and all that crap and take them off. Anyone can beat anyone,” the sixth-year BGSU coach said. “I know they’re struggling right now, they’re in a rebuild.

“Been there, done it, but also, when I was in a rebuild, we beat Minnesota. We beat Toledo the first year. So I understand what they’re going through and I understand that if they have the right mindset and we don’t, anything can happen.”

BGSU (2-4, 1-1 MAC) will be facing a Kent State squad that has 15 straight losses, the longest active losing streak in the FBS. The last win for the Golden Flashes (0-6, 0-2 MAC) was a 38-10 victory over Central Connecticut State on Sept. 16, 2023, and their last win over an FBS team was the 2022 season finale (30-27 over Buffalo).

Since falling in the MAC title game to Northern Illinois in 2021, Kent State is 6-24 (4-14 MAC). Although the losses have continued to pile up, the Golden Flashes have shown positive signs recently, especially offensively with 68 points the last two games. Kent State lost by just two points (37-35) to Ball State a week ago.

Meanwhile, the Falcons will be hoping that Saturday’s game will be the start of another strong second half of the season. BGSU went 5-1 in the final six regular season games in 2023 and 4-2 in 2022.

When Kent State has the ball

The Golden Flashes rank last in the FBS in total offense (258.8 yards per game) and second last in rushing offense (59.2). A lot of that can be attributed to the challenging nonconference schedule they played that included current top-11 teams Tennessee and Penn State (outscored by a combined 127-0), as well as Pittsburgh (55-24 loss). Kent State, though, has found a lot of success through the air the past two contests as junior quarterback Tommy Ulatowski threw for 739 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions on 32 of 64 passing. Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Chrishon McCray, who racked up 401 yards and five touchdowns on 13 receptions in the last two games, is third in the MAC in receiving yards (522) and tied for first in touchdowns (seven).

BGSU is coming off its best defensive effort of the season in limiting Northern Illinois to 17 points and 278 total yards. The Falcons rank sixth in the MAC in scoring defense (24 points per game) and fourth in total defense (363.2 yards per game).

When BGSU has the ball

A lot of what BGSU will want to do depends on who lines up at quarterback. Loeffler said during Monday’s news conference that starting quarterback Connor Bazelak was day to day after leaving Saturday’s loss to Northern Illinois with an injury, and that “it’s better than anticipated, but I don’t know where he’s at right now.”

If Bazelak is healthy enough to play, expect the Falcons to be balanced offensively. If redshirt freshman quarterback Lucian Anderson III needs to fill in, BGSU could lean on its rushing attack that features Terion Stewart and Jaison Patterson, who have combined for 557 yards and seven touchdowns on 118 carries this season. Anderson, a threat with his legs as well, could also make an impact on the ground.

Kent State ranks last in the FBS in scoring defense (49 points per game) and total defense (553.7 yards per game).

Special teams

A stuffed field goal attempt in the second quarter against Northern Illinois was the second blocked kick of the season for BGSU and the 15th since the beginning of the 2021 campaign.

Kent State has made just 2 of 5 field goal attempts this year and averages 36 net yards per punt, both of which rank at or near the bottom of the MAC.

Kent State will win if…

If BGSU forgets it has a game this week and looks ahead to next week’s showdown at Toledo in the latest edition of the Battle of I-75, Kent State could have a chance. Everything would have to go the Golden Flashes’ way, though, and an absolute shootout would likely be the only possibility in which they could win.

BGSU will win if…

If the Falcons can run the ball, control the clock, and limit big plays in Kent State’s passing game, they should be able to cruise to a much-needed win.

First Published October 17, 2024, 5:54 p.m.