Bowling Green (3-7, 1-5 MAC) is set to host one last home game for the 2025 campaign, as the Akron Zips (4-7, 3-4 MAC) travel to Doyt Perry Stadium with pride on the line.
Last season’s meeting between
the two programs was historic, as the Falcons would claim their 300th conference victory as a MAC member by night’s end.
Akron hosted Bowling Green, looking to avoid losing three-straight games to Bowling Green. The Falcons took a halftime lead of 17-10, and extended it to 20-10 after no third quarter scoring plays. The Zips threw everything they had at Bowling Green, scoring the next 10 points to tie the game at 20 apiece. With 2:49 left, on fourth-and-short, the Falcons called Harold Fannin, Jr.’s number on a 31-yard jet sweep to paydirt for the game-winning score.
This year’s matchup sees two teams with wounded egos walking into the weeknight lights.
The Falcons have lost four-straight games, including a 27-21 loss to Eastern Michigan the last time they were in action, and are out of bowl eligibility for the first time since 2021.
Akron is coming off a tough overtime loss against rival Kent State, which saw them come back from an 18-point deficit early in the fourth quarter before allowing the Flashes to claim the Wagon Wheel in extra time. The Zips, who were in position to potentially pick up their first bowl-eligible record in nearly a decade, instead look to improve on their win record in their last game of the season.
Game Notes
- Time and Date: Tuesday, November 18th at 7:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Doyt Perry Stadium, Bowling Green, OH
- Gambling considerations: Bowling Green (-4.5), over/under 47.5 per FanDuel.
- Viewing options: ESPNU. A valid cable subscription is required for viewing. Shawn Kenney (play-by-play) and Jerod Cherry (color) will provide commentary.
- Radio options: For Bowling Green, Eagle FM 99 will broadcast with Todd Walker (play-by-play) and John Gibson (color) providing commentary. For Akron, Dave Skoczen (play-by-play) and Joe Dunn (color) will provide the call for WHLO-AM 640.
- All-time series: Bowling Green leads 21-10 all-time, with the Falcons also holding a three-game win streak in the series.
- Last Meeting: Bowling Green def. Akron 27-20 on Oct. 5, 2024.
About the Bowling Green Falcons
Bowling Green definitely did not see themselves down like this at the start of the season. Their woes on offense have been overpowering. During this four game losing streak, they are averaging a little over 13 points/game.
Coach George mentioned that Hunter Najm would get the start, as Drew Pyne reaggravated his injury. Najm is 17-of-31 for 207 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Quarterback play has been underwhelming for the Falcons, and if something were to happen to Najm, Lucian Anderson could see playing time. Jyrin Johnson still leads with 383 receiving yards, and Jacob Harris leads with four receiving touchdowns.
While he’s not the leading rusher, Austyn Dendy has been a workhorse for the Falcons. In just three games, he has 268 yards with three touchdowns. Since 1995, that’s the third most in program history through a players’ first three collegiate games. Comparing that to leading rusher Chris McMillian, who took almost seven games to reach that yardage total. It’s obvious that Dendy will be the starting running back not just the rest of this year, but potentially further down the road as well.
Defensively, Gideon Lampron has been a workhorse. He has 100 total tackles. He’s the first Falcon with 100 total tackles since Darren Anders in 2021. Myles Bradley still leads the team with four sacks, and five Falcons have one interception. The defense has been a good part of this team, but will hope that the offense can keep them on the sideline for a good chunk of the game.
About the Akron Zips
Akron lost the Wagon Wheel in overtime, 42-35. They are now looking to end their losing streak against the Falcons, which dates back to 2022. They’re also looking to finish their season strong; a win here would be their best mark in a regular season campaign since the 2017 run which saw the Zips go to Detroit as the MAC East representative.
Quarterback Ben Finley is having a decent season. He’s thrown for 2,299 yards, 18 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and has two rushing touchdowns. The big thing that stands out for Finley is his accuracy— or lack thereof. Through 11 games, he sits at 52.7 percent, with his best game sitting at 62.1 percent. Akron has advantages throwing the ball, seen in the fact they’re the MAC’s third-best passing attack, but steady QB play has typically been the difference between wins and losses. Israel Polk leads the team with seven receiving touchdowns, and Marcel Williams leads with 567 yards. There are many great targets for the Zips that Bowling Green needs to watch out for, including Kyan Mason, who has scored a touchdown in three of the last four contests.
Jordan Gant is having a great season running the ball. The MAC leader in rushing yards has 946, with six rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown— and that was after being a backup over most of the non-conference slate. Gant has a chance to become Akron’s first 1,000 yard rusher since Brett Biggs in 2005 (1,230 yards). There’s a very good chance he can eclipse the mark this week.
Akron’s defense gives up 394.6 yards and 29 points per game. They also have allowed 2,612 passing yards (12th in the MAC) and 1,729 rushing yards (10th in MAC). Shammond Cooper leads the team with 60 total tackles, and Bruno Dall leads the team with four sacks. Three Zips have two interceptions (Gage Summers, Elijah Reed, and Malcom DeWalt IV), with three more having one interception. Akron’s nine total interceptions rank fourth in the MAC. They’ve been red hot in recent weeks, with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries and a touchdown, It’s crucial for this defense to have a great game against an offense that is struggling, not just for the game, but to build on next year.
Final Thoughts
Bowling Green is now out of bowl eligibility. Starting with this game, the Falcons will have two more chances to figure out the pieces and concepts that work to push forward into the next season.
Look for Akron’s defense to play hungry after a banner run of contests the past few weeks. They’ve really gelled since the start of the season and have kept the Zips close even when the offense has struggled to take advantage. Much like BG, Akron’s staff is hoping to see emerging youngsters they can build upon for next season ball out.
