2019 MAC Football Week 4 Game Recap: Kent State trounces BGSU, 62-20

I had previously stated that this week’s game would tell us a lot about the Bowling Green Falcons and their standing within the MAC.

Entering play at 1-2 with a win against a FCS school and playing another 1-2 squad in Kent State, seemed like a winnable assignment.

Spoiler: It was not.

The Falcons were routed 62-20, but the game might not have been even that close as BGSU scored 13 of their point in the fourth quarter.

Kent State jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead with Keenan Orr catching a trick play touchdown pass from Kavious Price, and Jo-El Shaw plunging in one yard out to cap off a nine play, 61 yard drive.

BGSU would show signs of life as star tailback Andrew Clair continued to round into form with a three-yard touchdown run to cut the score to 14-7.

But the Flashes would Flash some more.

Dustin Crum found Mike Carrigan for a 53-yard touchdown strike, to end the first quarter. Then would add a Matthew Trickett 25 yard field goal to go up 25-7.

A big third quarter would officially put the game out of reach as the Golden Flashes, looked Golden piling on 17 points in the game's third frame.

Crum would find Price from 39 yards out, and H-back Adam Dulka for a three-yard touchdown strike. Trickett would hit a field goal from 42 yards out to enter the fourth quarter up 41-7.

The fourth quarter would show signs of life for the Falcons. Reserve QB Grant Loy, in relief of Darius Wade, scampered for a 16-yard touchdown run before the Nate Needham extra point was no good.

Just a minute and 27 seconds later, Kent State’s Jo-El Shaw would respond with his second touchdown on the day, this time from two yards out.

Woody Barrett would get in on the scoring act, finding Keshunn Abram from 14 yards out to complete a 10-play, 91-yard drive to go up 55-13.

Bryson Denley would score against the Flash reserves, and backup kicker Mason Lawler would hit the extra point to 55-20.

With just 12 seconds to play, reserve back Joachim Bangda would break a 72-yard touchdown run to put the game at its final 62-20 score.

BGSU was outgained 750 to 360 in total yards on the day, with Kent State setting a new program record.

Darius Wade was 18-of-25 for 161, with two interceptions. Grant Loy was 5-of-8 and a touchdown. Dustin Crum was a superb 26-of-31 with three touchdowns and 310 yards passing, with another 69 yards on the ground. Barrett was 4-of-4 with a touchdown and 55 yards passing, while receiver Price was 1 for 1 with a TD.

In addition to Crum’s 69 nice yards rushing, Bangda had seven carries for 114 yards and a touchdown. Shaw had 15 carries for 115 yards and two TD’s. Andrew Clair looked healthy for BG, finishing with 62 yards and a TD on 14 carries. Denley had 33 yards while Davon Jones had 34 yards rushing.

Mike Carrigan had six receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown while Abram, Dulka, Price and Orr also scored. Four Flash receivers had five or more receptions.

RB Marlow had six receptions for a nice 69 yards. Andrew Clair and Quintin Morris had four receptions a piece.

Jamal Parker had two interceptions for the Golden Flash defense. Theo Majette added a sack.

For the Falcons, Brandon Perce had 15 tackles, while Jerry McBride and Jamari Bozeman added ten tackles. Nico Lautanen had a sack in the defeat.

Matt Trickett was two for three on field goals, missing from 27 yards. Derek Adams only punted twice but had one inside the 20 and one of 50 plus yards.

Matt Naranjo had three of seven downed inside the 20 during a busy day.

BGSU is off next weekend before traveling to South Bend to play the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who also lost this week but to a very good Georgia team.

Kent State will also have a bye week before traveling to Camp Randall Stadium to face Jonathan Taylor and the Wisconsin Badgers.