The Western Michigan Broncos used the big play, a solid running game and good defense to defeat the home-standing Bowling Green Falcons, 26-14 at Doyt Perry Stadium today in Mid American Conference action.
What was expected to be a high-scoring game turned into a defensive struggle for most of the contest. The strong wind blowing had something to do with the passing offenses struggling in the game but the opposing defenses had the most to do with it.
The high flying Bowling Green (5-3, 3-1 MAC) offense was held to just 139 yards passing and 274 yards of total offense. Those numbers are not even what the Falcons have been averaging for a half, let alone a game. But give the Broncos (4-3, 2-1 MAC) credit. They blitzed and put pressure on Falcon quarterback James Knapke all game.
In fact, the play of the game may have come early in the second quarter when Knapke got hit hard on a pass attempt that was intercepted by the Broncos' Justin Currrie. However, the play wasn't as important for the interception because the Falcon defense held the Broncos to a field goal. However, Knapke stayed down after the hit before walking off on his own power. He was never the same and played the rest of game with reported sore ribs.
The game started as expected when Bowling Green took the opening kick-off and marched 75 yards on 13 plays in 3:49 to take the early lead 7-0 on a Andre Givens two-yard run. On their first possession, Western Michigan answered with a long drive of their own that resulted in an Andrew Haldeman 25-yard field goal to make the score 7-3 at the end of the first quarter.
The Broncos got a four-yard touchdown pass from Zack Terrell to Corey Davis early in the second quarter to take the lead, 10-7. They upped their lead to 13-7 a few minutes later when Haldeman connected again, this time from 35-yards.
The Falcon offense with Knapke obviously hurting, sputtered repeatedly in the first half turning the ball over on downs twice and again with the turnover. However, the Falcons did manage to put together an extended drive (17 plays, 83 yards) just before the half and actually took the lead into the locker room, 14-13 after Givens scored again from a yard out.
The Broncos took the opening kick in the second half and appeared to be in danger of turning it over on downs when Bowling Green's Bryan Thomas sacked Terrell deep in Western Michigan territory. However, Thomas grabbed the facemask and was whistled for the 15-yard penalty, giving the Bronco drive new life. Three plays later, and facing third-and-seven, Terrell hit Darius Phillips on a short slant route that resulted in a 63-yard catch-and-run touchdown through the Falcon secondary. That made the score, 19-14 Broncos when the extra point attempt failed.
The Falcons did not score in the third quarter and it marked only the fourth time in 31 quarters of football this year that the Falcons had failed to score during a quarter. It was also the first time in 15 straight quarters they failed to score going back to the third quarter of the Wisconsin game. But they did have their chance in the third quarter. The Falcons had a first-and-goal at the Broncos seven-yard line but could not score. A Knapke to Health Jackson pass on fourth down was incomplete.
The Bowling Green defense created plenty of second half chances by continually giving the ball back to their offense. But, the Falcons could do little on offense against a very active Bronco's defense. The constant pressure on Knapke took away the Falcon's deep passing game and limited them to quick passing routes.
The Broncos sensational freshman running back Jarvion Franklin, who was held in check for most of the game, broke loose for a 22-yard touchdown with 7:36 to go in the fourth quarter to make the score, 26-14. The home crowd was hoping for another thrilling comeback from the Falcons but it was not to be.
Terrell, just a sophomore, finished 15-24 for 166 yards and two touchdowns for the Broncos. Playing with the lead in the second half, Franklin was able to grind out some first downs and finished with 149 yards on 37 carries and a touchdown.
Knapke finished 22-of-33 for 139 yards for the Falcons. Travis Greene led the Falcons on the ground with 46 yards on 14 carries.
The loss by the Falcons, coupled with the loss by the Akron Zips today against Ohio University, throws the MAC east division into chaos. The Falcons and Zips are tied for the lead in the division, but four other teams are only a game behind them. The Falcons now have 17 days off before they travel to Akron to face the Zips on November 4.
Western Michigan is now in second place in the MAC west division, a game behind leader Toledo. The Broncos return home next week to face Ohio.