In a game filled with highs and lows for both teams, Ohio (3-2, 1-0 MAC) defeated a game Bowling Green squad (2-3, 0-1 MAC) for their first MAC win of 2025.
The game started at a fever pitch, with both teams combining for 24 first quarter points.
Bowling Green marched down the field on the opening drive including a 49-yard kickoff return and 12-yard run by change-of-pace QB Lucian Anderson III. But the tide turned abruptly when Pyne’s next pass was tipped by Ohio defensive end Jay Crable and corralled
by linebacker Cameron Hollobaugh, who rolled downfield with a convoy 71 yards for the score and a 7-0 lead.
Unfazed, the Falcons marched down the field on the next drive, a crisp six-play, 75 yard drive capped by a 27-yard strike from QB Drew Pyne to a wide open Kaderris Roberts.
Ohio responded with a strong drive of its own to reclaim the lead— though the Falcons made them work for it. Hard running by RB Sieh Bangura and the soft hands and nifty running of TE Mason Williams were key on the 10-play drive, with Williams collecting three catches for 38 yards— including the 19-yard scoring catch on a crosser— to put Ohio back up 14-7.
BGSU kept the scoring party going, but red zone woes ultimately dampened the celebration, as the Falcons settled for a field goal from Jackson Kleather after a promising drive. Still, the Falcons narrowed the deficit to 14-10.
As the game moved into the second quarter, both defenses settled in some, forcing punts.
Ohio quarterback Parker Navarro would take center stage late in the period, firing off a 25-yard pass to an open Chase Hendricks to accumulate 46 yards on the drive and extend the lead to 21-10.
Bowling Green continued its hot-and-cold offense, moving 47 yards with a mix of short passes and runs. The good times stopped rolling once BG targeted the endzone, as Pyne, scrambling from pressure, tossed a prayer towards paydirt and was intercepted by a lurking Tank Pearson.
The Falcons would add three more points on the board courtesy of a 33-yard Klether field goal on its final drive of the first half, putting the score at 21-13 at the break.
The game hit its apex in the middle of the third, when fireworks erupted as two drives ended with strip stack fumble recoveries. First, the Falcons stopped a driving ‘Cats offense cold when defensive end Myles Bradley forced a Navarro fumble, and fellow end Isaiah Thomison recovered.
On the next drive, Ohio returned the favor on third-and-four when Lucien Anderson III— in for an injured Pyne— was clobbered on a blind side blitz by Cameron Hollobaugh. The ball popped out and Ohio’s Jay Crable wound up recovering.
Three plays later, the ‘Cats cashed in on a five-yard run by Navarro to take a 28-13 lead.
The game continued on with each side adding a score, a 15-yard run by BGSU’s Chris McMillian followed by a 34-yard run by Navarro to reach the final tally
Notes
- Ohio earned an important win while continuing to work out the kinks in all three phases. If Ohio can find some more consistency, they will be tough to beat in the title race.
- Defensive ends Jay Crable and Anas Luqman, along with linebacker Cameron Hollobaugh, had some of their most explosive moments as Bobcats today. Crable had three sacks and a tip that was intercepted, while Hollobaugh had eight tackles, two quarterback hits, a sack, forced fumble, and a pick-six.
- Offensively for Ohio, potentially dominating talent is clearly there. However, much like the West Virginia win, second-half mistakes and turnovers short-circuited promising drives which could have salted away the opponent much earlier.
- Notable on the day was Ohio’s RPO offense, which found tight end Mason Williams early and often. Williams finished the day with career highs in receptions (eight) and yards (93), while also proving effective in run block reps. The ‘Cats also ran for 231 yards (5.9 yards per carry!), led by RB Sieh Bangura with 115 yards.
- Ohio’s special teams is a work-in-progress, allowing some explosive kickoff returns and clanking another field goal attempt off the uprights. On the other hand, there were splashes of brilliance, like a big tackle on the punt team by Khamani Debrow.
- The major problem for the Falcons today was a lack of polish. BGSU committed four turnovers (three interceptions, one fumble) against one of the deepest teams in the league, which created a nearly untenable situation throughout the game.
- Bowling Green rolled up 282 yards of offense in the first half, including multiple explosive run plays and a 7.8 yards per rush average. In the second half, however, the Bobcats defense turned the tables, battering BGSU’s offense and limiting it to 68 total yards, surrendering one third-quarter first down and generating five sacks.
- BGSU does have some positives to build upon offensively for conference play. The Falcons featured a strong rushing attack with big, willing blockers at tight end and receiver. Halfback Chris McMillian led the squad with 89 yards and a score.
- BGSU’s defense on the day was led by LB Gideon Lampron with 11 tackles and by DE Myles Bradley, who finished with two sacks.
Ohio heads to Ball State next Saturday to take on an improving Cardinals squad at Noon ET on CBS Sports Network. Bowling Green is on a bye week before tangling with rival Toledo on Saturday, October 11th.
