Bowling Green, OH – In the Battle of I-75, the Falcons of Bowling Green took a commanding lead in the first half. In the second, the Rockets of Toledo (9-1, 6-0) came back with big plays to put up 22 points. They took a 32-31 win with 1:45 remaining on a swing pass from Dequan Finn to Jacquez Stuart for the final score. Both teams came out hot, but the Toledo defense halted BGSU in the second to climb back into the game.
Toledo Rockets and BGSU Falcons come out flying
Both squads scored quickly on their respective first possessions. Finn burst for a 23-yard touchdown scamper up the middle for first blood. The Falcons (6-4,4-3) retaliated with a 44-yard scoring strike. Connor Bazelak threw to Harold Fannin, Jr over the middle on a slant to tie. Late in the first, Bazelak and Fannin connected again on a two-yard pop pass over the middle.
In the second, Luke Pawaluk’s 39-yard FG cut the BGSU lead, 14-10. It was all Falcons for the balance of the half. Back-up QB Camden Orth finished a 75-yard drive with a five-yard run up the middle. The defense halted the next Rocket drive at their their 38. On a direct snap at the one, Ta’ron Keith took it in for a Bowling Green 28-10 lead at the half. In front of a good crowd of 20,590 on a cold night at Doyt L. Perry Stadium, an upset seemed to be in the making.
Toledo record on the line
The second half did not start off well on the Falcons’ first possession. On the punt, the snap sailed way off the mark, and the punter shanked the ball for 11 yards to their own 41. Finn hooked up with Junior Vandeross III with a perfect 22-yard strike in the end zone. Before the final period, both defenses buckled down. Toledo recovered a fumble by Orth. They halted a Falcon drive with a sack on a fourth and four to take over on downs. Bowling Green stopped Toledo on a fourth at their 48 to end the period still ahead, 28-17.
Following the opening series of the final period, Toledo forced a punt and took over on its ten. At their 35, Peny Boone (15 carries, 131 yards,1 TD) raced around right end for 55 yards to the BGSU ten. On a one-yard run, he scored. A two-point pass play to Anthony Torres closed the Falcon lead at 28-25. An underthrown pass by Finn got intercepted by Jordan Oladokun to put BGSU in business at the Toledo 39. Bazelak returned to play. However, Bowling Green had to settle for Alan Anaya’s 40-yard field goal with 7:30 to play with dangerous six-point lead, 31-25.
Six points not enough
A sack by Bowling Green forced a Toledo punt. However, the Falcons gained no yardage from their own 34. They punted to put Toledo on their 23 with 4:36 to play. On their 39, Finn connected with Stuart in the right flat, and he sailed up the sideline for the winning touchdown. Toledo held in the final 1:45 as the Falcons had only one time-out remaining. The Falcons and their fans enjoyed a happy 25-minute ride home with a satisfying 32-31 win over its very close rival. Glad we could work this one in this season!
Next!
Bowling Green plays Western Michigan next Tuesday. On Friday November 24, Toledo plays at Central Michigan. On December 2 they battle for the MAC title against East Division winner Miami (8-2, 5-1). Tonight, collegefootballfan.com will be in Oxford to see the Red Hawks take on the Buffalo Bulls (3-7, 3-3).
Bowl possibility looms
We’re hoping that the winner of the MAC, to be determined in Detroit, will get the bid to play in this year’s Bahamas Bowl. If Liberty defeats New Mexico State in the Conference USA championship game to remain undefeated, the MAC champ will probably play undefeated Liberty. Due to stadium reconstruction in the Bahamas, this year’s contest will be played at Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte on December 18. Sounds like a road trip to us!
