Early Football Previews and Predictions: Game Twelve at Bowling Green

[catdaddyp]

2024 Rewind:

Scott Loeffler decided to make his move to the NFL as a position coach after six seasons with the Falcons and wrapping up 2024 with a 7-6 record. In fairness, Loeffler seemed burned out and probably took Bowling Green as far as he could.

 

Former Ohio State Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George will now attempt to find success as a head coach at the G5 level after finally breaking through at Tennessee State in his fourth year.

 

 

Recruiting under George:

2025: 

On3 - 5th in MAC (prep only)

247 - 2nd in MAC 

 

 

Falcons on Offense:

All-conference quarterback Connor Bazelak is finally out of eligibility and will be replaced by Missouri transfer Drew Pyne. Pyne’s best year came in 2022 at Notre Dame, but he hasn’t attempted more than 82 passes in a season since then.

 

All-conference running back Terion Stewart has moved on, as has everyone else on the roster who had over 100 yards rushing. It’ll be a completely new group in the backfield, and honestly, it’s anyone’s guess who will be starting.

 

Similar to running back, almost all of the production at receiver is gone. The Falcons brought in six transfers and will supposedly run more two tight end sets this season. Speaking of tight end, Harold Fannin was drafted by the Browns and leaves a huge void at the position. Although, I doubt this year’s offense will be involving the tight ends in the passing game all that often.

 

One area where Bowling Green will have some consistency is along the offensive line, with four out of five starters returning. However, the best lineman from 2024 has moved on, and the four returners were above average at best. The offensive line probably won’t look as good this season without all the playmaking talent that was at the skill positions.

 

 

Falcons on Defense:

The new staff will be moving away from the 3-4 alignment to a more traditional four-man front. The Falcons were absolutely blistered with losses along the defensive line and have brought in a number of transfers, including George’s son, Eriq George, at defensive end. Outside of the coach’s son and returnee Evan Branch-Haynes at defensive tackle, it’s hard to predict how the depth chart will be filled amongst this group of linemen.

 

The only linebacker returning with over 15 total tackles is Myles Bradley, and he’ll likely be moved to defensive end. This will basically be a new group made up of a mix of transfers and seldom-used backups from 2024.

 

Safety Darius Lorfils is the only starter returning to the secondary. Backups Kal-El Pascal and Darius McClendon are expected to step into starting roles, along with Illinois State transfer MJ Cannon and Western Carolina transfer Mateo Studipo.

 

Zach Long returns at kicker after hitting all his extra point attempts and going 13 of 19 on field goals. All-conference punter John Henderson is also back.

 

 

Position Advantage:

Due to Bowling Green being riddled with question marks and inexperience at this point in the year, I have to give most of the position advantages to Akron. That may change by the time this game is played.

 

QB - Akron

RB - Akron

WR - Akron

TE - Akron

OL - Bowling Green

DL - Even

LB - Akron

DB - Akron

ST - Bowling Green

 

 

Way too Early Prediction:

Going into this preview, I thought Bowling Green would be in contention for another six to seven win season. After completing the preview, I think they’ll struggle to reach five wins. There are so many holes and question marks at nearly every position, it’s hard to see this year’s Bowling Green squad being as competitive as they were last season. A lot of praise has been given to Eddie George, and he very well may take the Falcons to the next level—but I don’t think it’ll be in 2025. Nothing in his coaching history suggests that either—his first three seasons at Tennessee State went five wins, four wins, six wins, before finally breaking through with a nine-win season.

 

Akron is always playing their best ball at the end of the season under Moorhead. That, coupled with what should be a down year for Bowling Green, has me thinking Zips win this one 28-20.

 

 

Season Preview and Prediction Wrap Up:

For those keeping track, I’ve predicted the Zips going 8-4. Honestly, that seems ludicrous given the past seven years or so. However, going through and breaking down each game on the schedule gives me reason to believe that it can be done. Playing a much easier out-of-conference schedule and then facing five teams during the conference slate with new head coaches bodes well for the Zips. If there was ever a year to make some noise and change the perception of the program, this is it. It’s well past time for this program to turn the corner. 35 days until kickoff. Let’s see how it all shakes out.

 

 

 

Game Day Notes:

Bowling Green is down to its fourth quarterback of the season in Washington State transfer Hunter Najm. He wasn’t asked to do much in his last outing, and when the game shifted to the fourth quarter, things started to unravel for him. Still, with ten days to prepare, the Falcons have had ample time to craft a game plan and try to get Najm settled for this matchup.

 

The running back room remains the strength of the offense. They have multiple backs capable of producing chunk plays, and BG would love nothing more than to ride that group all evening. Mizzou transfer Austyn Dendy has taken the lead role of late and brings explosiveness every time he touches the ball. Cameron Pettaway and Chris McMillan rotate in and give the Falcons solid depth.

 

The receiving corps, however, has been all over the place. Tight end Jyrin Johnson — more of a tweener than a traditional inline tight end — is the lone true playmaker. The wideouts have shown they can catch the ball, but outside of that, they rarely offer much in terms of creating after the catch or winning consistently.

 

Up front, the offensive line is built to run the ball. Pass protection has been another story, as they’ve struggled with the rotation of quarterbacks and have surrendered 18 sacks in conference play alone.

 

Defensively, the Falcons are fairly similar to Akron in points allowed and rush yards given up. The biggest gap comes in the pass game. Bowling Green’s secondary has been stingy, but the defensive front hasn’t consistently generated pressure. Akron, on the other hand, has given up plenty of passing yards but is one of the better teams in the MAC at creating pressure. The turnover battle also favors the Zips, as BG has struggled to force them while Akron has been one of the conference’s best in that department.

 

Linebacker Gideon Lampron is one of the best defenders in the MAC, and edge rusher David Afogho provides a real threat off the edge. Defensive backs MJ Cannon and Kal-El Pascal round out a defensive core that can make things difficult for opponents.

 

 

MAC Stats Only:

Finley heads into his final game as the current MAC leader in passing yards and touchdowns. He’s also tied for second in interceptions.

 

Gant leads the conference in rushing yards and needs 54 more to hit 1,000 on the year.

 

Marcel Williams now leads the team in receiving yards and is second in conference action. Mason is ninth in receiving yards and tied for third in touchdowns. Polk is fifteenth in receiving yards and tied for second in touchdowns.

 

Laventure is fourth in tackles for loss and tied for eighth in sacks.

 

 

Edited 12 hours ago by catdaddyp

[ZippyRulz]

 

 

[catdaddyp]

6 hours ago, ZippyRulz said:

 

 

He certainly said all the right things. Maybe he proves me wrong, but I still dont think he has enough talent and experience on this year’s roster to make much noise. They’ll probably start out with a win in their first game and then lose the next five. The back half of their schedule is definitely more manageable than the front half.

[Blue & Gold]

 

[ZippyRulz]

It's a dangerous place.

[UAZipster0305]

On 7/25/2025 at 6:59 PM, catdaddyp said:

The back half of their schedule is definitely more manageable than the front half.

 

Isn't that true for literally EVERY MAC team? 🤣

[Captain Kangaroo]

That stuff won’t happen under Tim Tyrrell’s watch.

[clarkwgriswold]

4 hours ago, Blue & Gold said:

 

 

Yikes.  The aggression they lacked against PCCC and Buffalo apparently finally came out.

[catdaddyp]

BG’s offense might be the worst in the conference right now. They’re down to their fourth-string quarterback and are struggling to move the ball against an EMU defense that’s been one of the weakest units in the MAC. If the Zips take care of business Tuesday night, there’s a very real chance of achieving six wins.

Edited November 8 by catdaddyp

[ZippyDoo]

BG just lost to E. Michigan (2-6). Both of them are now 3-7 overall. 

 

Zips are well within the grasp of 6-6 if they take care of Can't State tuesday night. 

 

Biggest game of the year. I hope they come out with the intensity and motivation like they are playing for the MAC championship Tuesday night. 

 

I didn't know think 6-6 was going to be fathomable after starting off so poorly. 

[Blue & Gold]

 

[clarkwgriswold]

Can the Zips please go out and just step on their necks.   Like last year without the early PCCC TD.

[kreed5120]

1 hour ago, Blue & Gold said:

 

 

Remember after BG beat Toledo some said we should fire JoeMo and look for the next Eddie George?

[ZippyRulz]

6 hours ago, Blue & Gold said:

 

 

The MAC without BG? Well, well... looks like UMass went back to the A10 and took the falcons along.

 

 

[MDZip]

57 minutes ago, ZippyRulz said:

 

The MAC without BG? Well, well... looks like UMass went back to the A10 and took the falcons along.

 

 

It was relegation. 😊 That's also why NIU is going to the downgraded Mountain West. 

[catdaddyp]

Game Day Notes:
 

Bowling Green is down to its fourth quarterback of the season in Washington State transfer Hunter Najm. He wasn’t asked to do much in his last outing, and when the game shifted to the fourth quarter, things started to unravel for him. Still, with ten days to prepare, the Falcons have had ample time to craft a game plan and try to get Najm settled for this matchup.

 

The running back room remains the strength of the offense. They have multiple backs capable of producing chunk plays, and BG would love nothing more than to ride that group all evening. Mizzou transfer Austyn Dendy has taken the lead role of late and brings explosiveness every time he touches the ball. Cameron Pettaway and Chris McMillan rotate in and give the Falcons solid depth.

 

The receiving corps, however, has been all over the place. Tight end Jyrin Johnson — more of a tweener than a traditional inline tight end — is the lone true playmaker. The wideouts have shown they can catch the ball, but outside of that, they rarely offer much in terms of creating after the catch or winning consistently.

 

Up front, the offensive line is built to run the ball. Pass protection has been another story, as they’ve struggled with the rotation of quarterbacks and have surrendered 18 sacks in conference play alone.

 

Defensively, the Falcons are fairly similar to Akron in points allowed and rush yards given up. The biggest gap comes in the pass game. Bowling Green’s secondary has been stingy, but the defensive front hasn’t consistently generated pressure. Akron, on the other hand, has given up plenty of passing yards but is one of the better teams in the MAC at creating pressure. The turnover battle also favors the Zips, as BG has struggled to force them while Akron has been one of the conference’s best in that department.

 

Linebacker Gideon Lampron is one of the best defenders in the MAC, and edge rusher David Afogho provides a real threat off the edge. Defensive backs MJ Cannon and Kal-El Pascal round out a defensive core that can make things difficult for opponents.

 

 

MAC Stats Only:

Finley heads into his final game as the current MAC leader in passing yards and touchdowns. He’s also tied for second in interceptions.

 

Gant leads the conference in rushing yards and needs 54 more to hit 1,000 on the year.

 

Marcel Williams now leads the team in receiving yards and is second in conference action. Mason is ninth in receiving yards and tied for third in touchdowns. Polk is fifteenth in receiving yards and tied for second in touchdowns.

 

Laventure is fourth in tackles for loss and tied for eighth in sacks.

[Blue & Gold]

Man, I love Zips football. I can't believe this is the last game for yet another year. 😩

[MangoZip]

Sounds like the Zips need to get a lead and force Bowling Green into a position that they have to throw

[Captain Kangaroo]

1 hour ago, MangoZip said:

Sounds like the Zips need to get a lead and force Bowling Green into a position that they have to throw

That wasn't a recipe for success last week.

 

5 wins would be a big step forward for Zips football. Hope we achieve it.

[MangoZip]

1 hour ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

That wasn't a recipe for success last week.

 

5 wins would be a big step forward for Zips football. Hope we achieve it.

Agree, giving up 89 yard touchdown passes doesn’t help

[GP1]

BG started the season a respectable 3-3 and everything could have been in place for an 8 win season. They then caught the injury bug at the worst possible position and lost four in a row. BG is starting a fourth string QB. If Akron cannot exploit this situation and come out with a win, the program has been cursed by a gypsy. 

 

Akron 31

BG 17

[Ham]

I think this group of Zips will show some grit and bounce back big.

 

Zips  45

 

BG  27