Wednesday, November 12, 2014
THE INDEPENDENT
UT vs. BG
COLLEGIAN Battle of I-75
2 | The Independent Collegian | UT vs. BGSU 2014
It’s not Rocket Science! (UT vs. BG trivia)
How well do you know the rivalry? (Answers can be found on page 8)
A) When was the last time either Bowling Green or Toledo was ranked going into their rivalry game? B) Before last season, when is the last time the loser of the rivalry game went on to win the MAC Championship? C) Who has led the series between UT and BGSU since the second Peace Pipe was instated in 1980 and with what record are they leading by? D) Who was the last Rockets’ quarterback to lose to Bowling Green? E) What was former UT head coach Gary Pinkel’s record against BG in his last six seasons in Toledo? F) Which coach holds the highest winning percentage in Bowling Green State University history? G) Since 1980, what was the largest margin of victory in a game between UT and BGSU and who was the winner of that game? JACKIE KELLETT / IC
The Battle of I-75 trophy (pictured above) has been given to the victor of Toledo and Bowling Green State University’s annual face-off since 2011. BGSU hasn’t yet managed to beat UT for the award.
H) How long was the Original Peace Pipe and when was it first introduced?
UT vs. BGSU 2014 | The Independent Collegian |
Toledo returns home for Falcons after wacky 27-24 loss at NIU
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By Blake Bacho Sports Editor
DEKALB, Ill. – Anyone who didn’t see the University of Toledo football team’s Tuesday night 27-24 loss to Northern Illinois probably won’t believe what happened. It is a tale you simply can’t make up, but one with an ending the Rockets are all too familiar with.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever dealt with some of the things that we dealt with, but the only way I knew how to, and I think our kids knew how to, is for the team to fight together.” MATT CAMPBELL Toledo head coach
Three UT (6-4, 5-1 in MAC) quarterbacks took the field during Toledo’s fifth-straight loss to the Huskies (8-2, 5-1 in MAC). That includes normal first-string sophomore Logan Woodside, who wasn’t healthy enough to start and proved it during his single series of the night. Woodside was forced to attempt playing after freshman Michael Julian took a knee to the head during a third-down scramble late in the first half. Woodside also wasn’t the only starter the Rockets entered the game missing, as senior center Greg Mancz was unable to play due to a knee injury. Woodside wasn’t even the only Rockets’ starter to leave the game, as tight end Zac Rosenbauer was knocked out of play during the first half. “I don’t know if I’ve ever dealt with some of the things that we dealt with,” said Toledo head coach Matt Campbell. “But the only way I knew how
JACKIE KELLETT/IC
The Rockets traveled to Northern Illinois on Tuesday to face the Huskies. The Rockets fell 27-24 in DeKalb giving up sole possession of first place in the MAC West Division. Toledo entered the matchup with an unbeaten Mid-American Conference record, but the Rockets had dropped four straight to NIU, who made it to the MAC Championship and lost to BG last year.
to, and I think our kids knew how to, is for the team to fight together.” In place of the two quarterbacks, the Rockets turned to senior wide receiver Dwight Macon, an option Campbell had discussed late last week as one of UT’s emergency options. Macon — who actually began his college career as a quarterback — entered the game having attempted seven passes during his time at Toledo, completing five of them for 62 yards. The senior wide receiver topped his career total Tuesday night with one pass, a 69-yard bomb to sophomore Corey Jones for UT’s first touchdown of the night.
“I just tried to go out there and manage the game. I knew I could run but people know that, so I want to throw the ball. I don’t like to run all the time, but if it is there then I will run.” DWIGHT MACON Senior wide receiver
Macon finished 8-of-11 for 140 yards and the one score, netting another 97 yards and two scores with his legs in an attempt to drag the limping Rockets to a victory. “They said there was a possible chance I would play, but I knew that Michael Julian was ready,” Macon said. “I just tried to go out there and manage the game. I knew I could run but people know that, so I want to throw the ball. I don’t like to run all the time, but if it is there then I will run.” Before things got crazy, frigid conditions prevented either offense starting fast. The Huskies got on the scoreboard first with a field goal.
The Rockets failed to answer the score and NIU padded their own lead when senior wide receiver Da’Ron Brown turned a short pass from sophomore quarterback Drew Hare into a 64-yard touchdown. With just over five minutes left in the first quarter, Toledo already trailed the Huskies by two scores. On Toledo’s next drive, Julian led the Rockets into Husky territory with a 39-yard pass to junior wide receiver Alonzo Russell, but UT had to settle for a field goal after being stopped in the red zone. Julian’s first collegiate start ended abruptly when he was forced to See Huskies / 4 »
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4 | The Independent Collegian | UT vs. BGSU 2014 Huskies from page 3
leave for concussion testing after taking the hit to his helmet. Julian finished 2-of-7 for 49 yards and no scores and Campbell said afterward that he was officially diagnosed with a concussion. A fruitless series led by the injured Woodside forced Toledo’s head coach to make Macon the team’s signal caller. “We tried to play Logan a little bit and he just doesn’t have it right now,” Campbell said. “Even when Mike went down, it certainly wasn’t the best situation for Logan to try to manage. Logan is a really tough guy and if he could have played he would have.
“I think we just settled on — certainly once Mike got hurt — that Dwight was our best answer and gave us the best opportunity certainly to win the football game.” MATT CAMPBELL Toledo head coach
“I think we just settled on — certainly once Mike got hurt — that Dwight was our best answer and gave us the best opportunity certainly to win the football game.” After Macon’s scoring pass to Jones, Hare responded with a 39-yard toss to sophomore wide receiver Aregeros Turner, placing the Huskies on Toledo’s 2-yard line. The Rockets’ defense limited NIU to a field goal, and UT entered halftime with a one-touchdown deficit. Hare finished the game 14-of-22 for 190 yards and a score. “What you hope to do defensively against Northern Illinois is try to eliminate as many big plays as possible,” Campbell said. “I look at statistically what happened, I think they were able to run the football — that is something we’ve done a very good job of [stopping].” A four-yard touchdown run by senior tailback Cameron Stingily put the Huskies up 20-10 over Toledo. Stingily finished with 81 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
IC FILE PHOTO
Sophomore running back Kareem Hunt getting tackled during last season’s rivalry game against Bowling Green’s Falcons. Hunt and freshman tailback Terry Swanson will look to continue UT’s success on the ground when they face BG in the Glass Bowl Wednesday.
Macon brought the Rockets within a score of NIU after a one-yard touchdown run with 6:36 left in the third quarter, but Stingily added his second scoring run of the night in the fourth quarter to keep the game out of Toledo’s reach. Macon added his second rushing touchdown with 2:14 left on the clock, bringing UT within three of the Huskies and setting up an onside kick attempt Northern Illinois was more than ready for. Just like that, it was all over. “A couple plays here or there go our way and maybe we [win],” Campbell said. “But I told our kids afterward I am proud of them. We’ve got nothing to be ashamed of with what occurred tonight and our ability to overcome the adversity and give ourselves a chance to win the football game against a very good football team. “I don’t second-guess anything.” The Rockets will hope to get healthy quick, as Toledo will host Bowling Green for the annual Battle of I-75 next Wednesday, Nov. 19.
IC FILE PHOTO
Toledo entered Tuesday’s faceoff with Northern Illinois ranked atop the Huskies in the MAC West.
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In their own words UT vs. BGSU 2014 | The Independent Collegian |
PHOTO COURTESY OF UT ATHLETICS
Former UT quarterback Chuck Ealey led his Toledo squad to 35 straight victories, a record that still stands as fifth-longest in college football history.
PHOTO COURTESY OF UT ATHLETICS
Former Rockets’ signal caller Bruce Gradkowski set 27 passing records and led Toledo to a MAC Championship, two MAC West titles and two bowl games over three years.
PHOTO COURTESY OF UT ATHLETICS
During his Toledo career, Bernard Reedy was a twotime all-conference receiver. Reedy is currently a member of the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad.
Former Rockets talk about their experiences with the I-75 rivalry By Blake Bacho Sports Editor
Former University of Toledo wide receiver Bernard Reedy, and quarterbacks Chuck Ealey and Bruce Gradkowski all remember facing Bowling Green like it was yesterday. They still talk about the rivalry like they are suiting up against the Falcons tomorrow. “You just didn’t lose that game,” Ealey said. “We all knew how important it was, regardless of what your record was. “It was just a natural atmospheric thing that went on between Bowling Green and Toledo, and you just don’t lose to BG.” As a Rocket, Ealey just didn’t lose. During his three seasons as UT’s signal caller, the 1971 AllAmerican led Toledo to 35
straight victories, a record that still stands as the fifth-longest streak in the history of college football. Ealey, a member of the MidAmerican Conference Hall of Fame and a three-time MAC Player of the Year, said that records never mattered when his Rockets faced BGSU. According to him, Gradkowski and Reedy, prior wins and losses are still meaningless for this rivalry. “All that stuff goes out the window when they play,” Ealey said. “I don’t care who has the record, I don’t care who has the best on-paper team. It is one of those games you can’t count on just because you have the better record.” Gradkowski knows all about records, having set 27 passing
marks while leading the Rockets to a Mid-American Conference Championship, two MAC West titles and two bowl games. None of that happened without
“You just didn’t lose that game. We all knew how important it was, regardless of what your record was.” CHUCK EALEY Former UT quarterback
going through the Falcons. “Some of the best wins that I had in my career at Toledo came against Bowling Green,”
Gradkowski said. “They were some of the best wins because they were some of the most important games. Every time we played BG, something was on the line, whether it was the I-75 rivalry, a trip to go to the MAC Championship, there was always something on the line and it just added value to that rivalry.” Reedy — a two-time all-conference receiver during his Toledo career — never needed extra incentive to face the Rockets’ longtime rival. Even in his current position as a member of the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad, he still bristles at the thought of Bowling Green’s Falcons. “I get mad about it,” he said of the rivalry. “I get intense about it, because I don’t like them. All
the four years I was there we could beat every other team by like 30 or 35 points, but when you play [Bowling Green] it was always a tough game. That’s what made it even better.” Ealey said the emotions — which always run hot during this rivalry — also help determine the outcome.
“I get mad about it. I get intense about it, because I don’t like them.” BERNARD REEDY Former Rockets’ wide receiver
“One mistake here or there, it can go either way,” he said. “The team See Words / 8 »
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8 | The Independent Collegian | UT vs. BGSU 2014 Words
from page 5
that is emotionally ready will be the one that can win this game. “You can’t play the position game — who’s first, who’s second, who’s had the better season — when it comes to that game. The emotional thing takes people to a higher level. The ones who are on top of that are going to be the ones who win.” No matter who wins, fans from both sides of I-75 are always in for a treat. “It’s an awesome game for fans to come watch and enjoy, especially for the students of Toledo and BG,” Gradkowski said. “The schools are so close that it just adds to that rivalry to see who is the best in town, the best around. That’s why it is important to win this game.” But who will win this year? Perhaps not as confident as Reedy — who predicted Toledo will defeat Bowling Green by at least 23 points — Gradkowski and Ealey didn’t bet against their alma mater either. They each faced the Falcons plenty during their storied college careers, and they know that this rivalry produces games that are never ordinary and always impossible to predict. “It’s always going to be a dogfight,” Gradkowski said. “No matter what the score is, at some point during the game there is going to be a chance and you’ve
just got to keep playing. “It’s a huge game for both teams in their season and that just brings a lot more excitement to the game. I’m sure the fans and students of both teams are going to love it.”
It’s not Rocket Science! (Trivia answers from page 2) A) In 2003, BGSU was ranked No. 22 heading into the rivalry matchup with UT. B) Toledo won the MAC Championship after losing to BGSU in their 2001 rivalry game. C) UT has led 19-15 since 1980. D) Austin Dantin and the Rockets fell to Bowling Green in 2009. E) Pinkel went 5-1 before leaving Toledo for Missouri. F) The legendary Doyt Perry was .855 from 1955 to 1964. G) BGSU won 39-0 in 1981. H) The six-foot long Peace Pipe
PHOTO COURTESY OF UT ATHLETICS
Former University of Toledo head football coach Tom Amstutz celebrates along with the crowd after he, along with Bruce Gradkowski, led the Rockets to a comeback victory over the Bowling Green State University Falcons in the 2004 rivalry matchup.
PHOTO COURTESY OF UT ATHLETICS
Reedy says he never needed extra incentive to get up for the Bowling Green Falcons.
UT vs. BGSU 2014 | The Independent Collegian |
Crossing I-75
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Talking football with BG News’ Editor-in-Chief The Independent Collegian’s Sports Editor, Blake Bacho, recently sat down with BG News’ Editor-inChief Cameron J. Teague Robinson to discuss all things Bowling Green, including the upcoming rivalry matchup between the Rockets and the Falcons. Blake: The Falcons have had a few ups and downs this year, but generally seem to be transitioning nicely from previous head coach Dave Clawson to new coach Dino Babers. How have they been able to do that so easily? Cameron: Well it hasn’t been as easy of a transition as many from the outside have seen. The non-conference schedule was a huge roller coaster, from the embarrassing blowout opener against Western Kentucky University, to the win at home against Indiana. Injuries hurt this team early on and it took them time to really transition into the team they were going to be. In the last three or four games or so, the defense has looked like a totally different defense and the offense has found ways to score when they needed to. They aren’t the high-powered Falcons people predicted, but they find ways to win. Blake: What has gone well and what hasn’t worked for the Falcons so far this season? Cameron: [Junior quarterback] Matt Johnson got hurt after the season opener, and then injuries to [senior linebacker] DJ Lynch, [senior defensive back] Ryland Ward, [sophomore wide receiver] Gehrig Dieter; the list [of injuries] can go on for days. The defense struggled a lot early on, but has turned it around since the second half against Buffalo. They are getting healthy and are forcing turnovers all over the field. The offense started the season hot, but has cooled down since their close win against the University of Massachusetts. Like I said earlier, it’s been a roller coaster season for them, but they have played well in Mid-American Conference play and look to be meshing together at the perfect time.
Blake: What does Babers bring to the team that is different from the program’s approach last season? Cameron: Speed, plain and simple. On both sides of the ball, the team is all about speed and making game-changing plays. Blake: In terms of the rivalry, Toledo has gotten the best of BGSU in recent years. Is that something that seems to bother the players that have been here for a lot of it? Cameron: It bothers them more than people know, I can tell you that, to the extent that I can only imagine. At media day this year they said that is one game they had circled. Think about it: nobody on this team has beaten Toledo; nobody on this team has even seen a win against Toledo. I guarantee that upsets them, they still have a sour taste in their mouth from last year’s loss. It should be a fun game to watch next Wednesday.
“Think about it: nobody on this team has beaten Toledo; nobody on this team has even seen a win against Toledo. I guarantee that upsets them....” CAMERON J. TEAGUE ROBINSON BG News Editor-in-Chief
Blake: Who is one Falcons’ player that Rockets’ fans may not have heard of, but may play a key role in determining a winner in this year’s game? Cameron: Depending on how serious the injury that [junior running back] Travis Greene [suffered against Akron] was, the player that they should know is [sophomore running back] Fred Coppet. Really, even if Greene plays, they should know about Coppet.
IC FILE PHOTO
This season, the Rockets will host the Bowling Green State Falcons inside the Glass Bowl for the annual Battle of I-75. UT won last season’s version of the rivalry with a successful late comeback.
He is technically the No. 2 running back, but they split time. He is a mix between a power and speed back who can make plays in the hole or by bouncing outside. He will be a key. On the defensive side, they should know [senior defensive end] Bryan Thomas. He is fourth in the nation with five forced fumbles, and when he is able to get pressure on the quarterbacks it makes it easier for the linebackers to get pressure. That leaves a relatively inexperienced, but improving, secondary with less time to cover one-on-one. If Thomas can get pressure on the QB, it could be a long day for UT. Blake: What do you think will be the key if Toledo hopes to stop BGSU’s offense? What does UT do that will give BG trouble? Cameron: I don’t think the key for UT is to stop the offense, because they have been starting slow lately. Their key will be to not turn the ball over, because the [BG] offense has been good at converting points off of turnovers. I haven’t watched a lot of UT football this year, but BG has struggled this year against good running backs. If UT can run the ball and protect the quarterback well, then I believe UT has a chance.
IC FILE PHOTO
Former Rockets’ quarterback Terrance Owens guided Toledo to their victory over the Falcons last season at Doyt Perry Stadium.
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The rivalry through the years By Marcus Dodson Sports Reporter
The University of Toledo football team began their annual faceoff with Bowling Green State University in 1919. Every year has brought something new to the rivalry and hordes of passionate fans contribute by making the mere 25-mile trip one way or the other every season. The rivalry is so intense that, when the rocket statue was placed behind the Glass Bowl on Toledo’s campus, it was angled so that, if launched, it would be aimed for the 50-yard line of the Falcons’ Doyt Perry Stadium. BGSU holds the series record against UT with a 39-35-4 advantage. The Falcons also hold the longest win streak in the rivalry with 11 straight victories from 1955-1966. In nine different seasons, this game has helped decide a Mid-American Conference divisional champion and this year is on pace to be no different. With both teams on top of their respective divisions, the two may have the chance to play each other twice in the same football season, with the second date set for the MAC Championship. Even with all the history surrounding this rivalry, several games have stood out over the rest as the most memorable battles of I-75.
1919: The beginning In the first meeting, the Rockets defeat the Falcons 6-0 in Bowling Green to mark the start of this historic rivalry. The two teams have three ties within the first eight meetings, scoring a combined 12 points in those games.
PHOTO COURTESY OF UT ATHLETICS
Former Toledo quarterback Chuck Ealey never lost to the Falcons during his three seasons as UT’s starter from 1969 to 1971. Ealey actually never lost at all, leading Toledo to 35 straight victories.
1948: Resuming the rivalry Play resumes between the two teams with the introduction of the Peace Pipe Trophy and the Falcons get some revenge of previous losses with a 21-6 victory. The six-foot Peace Pipe came to an end when it was stolen from the UT offices in 1969. The thief was never found, and neither was the trophy.
1919 1935: Riot game The now-famous riot breaks out after the Rockets hand the Falcons a 63-0 bludgeoning. Displeased BG fans storm the field following the loss, causing the rivalry to be put on hold until 1948. The Falcons’ faithful may have also been frustrated after losing three straight games (1933-1935) by a combined score of 111-7.
1980: Peace Pipe 2.0 A scaled-down replica of the original Peace Pipe Trophy is fashioned and placed on top of a trophy created by former UT football player Frank Kralik. BGSU is the first winner of the new award, defeating Toledo 17-6 in the Glass Bowl.
UT vs. BGSU 2014 | The Independent Collegian |
PHOTO COURTESY OF UT ATHLETICS
The Rockets celebrate after beating the Falcons to become the final possessors of the second Peace Pipe trophy. The next time the two teams met would mark a new beginning for the rivalry.
2004: UT on top UT beats the Falcons in a thrilling 49-41 victory at home. Toledo trailed BGSU 27-7 at halftime but would score 35 straight points. The Falcons are stopped on all three of their third-quarter possessions after scoring the first five times they had the ball. The Rockets go on to win the program’s most recent MAC Championship.
1992: BG on top Bowling Green defeats the Rockets 10-9 on UT’s home turf and eventually wins the MAC Championship. The Falcons wouldn’t win another MAC title until 2013, when they upset No. 16 Northern Illinois in a 47-27 victory. Although BG defeated the Huskies for the championship and Northern Illinois handed Toledo a defeat earlier in the season, the Rockets actually won the 2013 rivalry battle with Bowling Green.
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IC FILE PHOTO
Toledo enters this season’s version of the rivalry having defeated Bowling Green last season at BG. The Rockets escaped with a victory thanks to wide receiver Alonzo Russell’s game-winning score.
2011-Present The rivalry is rechristened ‘The Battle of I-75,’ and the Falcons have no luck winning the new trophy, losing the first three games of the new series. In the most recent meeting of the two programs, the Rockets snuck out of Doyt Perry Stadium with a win thanks to the hands of UT wide receiver Alonzo Russell, who caught the game-winning touchdown pass with 1:22 left to play. UT held a 21-7 lead going into halftime, but thanks to a fourth-quarter rally by the Falcons, the Rockets found themselves trailing 25-21 with just under six minutes left to play. The win marked Toledo’s fourthstraight victory over the Falcons.
2014 2010: The end of the Peace Pipe The NCAA starts cracking down to remove inappropriate American Indian nicknames, marking the end of the Peace Pipe trophy. Toledo becomes the final holder of the award with a 33-14 victory over Bowling Green. UT routes the Falcons with over 500 total yards of offense and the Rockets’ defense causes four turnovers. UT’s Eric Page has a night to remember with nine catches for 111 yards and a touchdown, while Adonis Thomas rushes for 163 yards on 24 carries and a score, with a long run of 81 yards against the Falcons’ defense.
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Who has the edge?
Debating what will determine the outcome of the rivalry this year
UT needs to start fast to keep up with the Falcons
Rockets will cruise past BGSU thanks to defense
times. The Rockets have made a habit Much of the talk surrounding Rockets’ football as of late has been centered on how of digging themselves into first-half holes and doing so in late November the Mid-American Conference West dividuring a rivalry game could cost UT sion will be won — and for good reason. dearly. After all, the conference’s premiere The Falcons are hungry for their first teams — Toledo and Northern Illinois win against the Rockets since 2010. — are both seated within the West. A They don’t fear the road and will ticket to Detroit for a MAC come to the Glass Bowl Championship hinges on more than ready to play. how the next few weeks Each team’s ultimate play out for those two goal of a MAC Champiteams. onship still has wings. But the East division Bowling Green will gets a ticket to Detroit come ready to go from as well and that divithe very first whistle. sion plays some pretty The Falcons have playgood football. makers of their own on This season the Rockets both sides of the ball that will welcome the Bowling could potentially cause Green State Falcons to the Glass Bowl for the annual the Rockets fits. Freshman I-75 match up. It is an defensive back Nick JohnEast vs. West showdown son — who recently that will be a tougher test picked up MAC East playASSOC. SPORTS EDITOR er of the week honors — than it appears to be on paper, and the 2014 Rockleads the conference with ets need be wary. four interceptions and will be everIf UT doesn’t put the foot on the ped- present throughout this contest. al early and often, a host of problems is On the other side of the ball, freshmore than likely to evolve against BGman wide receiver Roger Lewis is curSU. The primary problems, however, rently fourth in the MAC with 742 rehave been here all season. ceiving yards, averaging 13 yards a Truth be told, the Rockets have been catch. really dinged up. The fact that UT is already dealing with A rough outing at Kent State earlier in an injured, and at times leaky, secondary the month forced senior starting center unit doesn’t help this situation. Greg Mancz, as well as sophomore signal The Rockets boast the hottest offense caller Logan Woodside, to the sideline the MAC has to offer, with playmakers due to injury, and those issues are just at just about every position. It’s safe to the most recent. say that UT will likely be favored to The defense was torn apart early by win this edition of the I-75 rivalry, but the injury bug, and Toledo’s potent run- a victory won’t come without some ning game has dealt with a fair share of hiccups. bumps and bruises this season as well. If the Rockets can get off to a fast Even when healthy, the offense has start and follow the run game they struggled with pre-snap penalties, turn- should slip by Bowling Green. overs and other hiccups that have preIf Toledo’s winning streak against BG is vented this high-powered machine to continue, the Rockets will have to come from moving on all cylinders at all out and punch the Falcons in the mouth.
Offense may sell tickets, but defense is 31 fewer than the average against the the reason Toledo has an edge going into Toledo defense this year. The Rockets their matchup with BGSU. As the old also only gave up 163 yards passing in adage goes, defense wins championships. their last game, indicating they may be The University of Toledo football trending in the right direction. team is in a prime position to bring UT’s strength on defense is their abilhome a Mid-American Conference ity to stop the run. They lead the MAC Championship, and though it in rush defense, only allowing 113 may not always seem like rushing yards per game. it, their defense has Led by senior linebacker played a big role and will and tackling machine Junior have to continue to play Sylvestre, the Rockets have a big role for the Rockstifled almost every rushing ets to take the next attack they’ve faced. Toledo step. has yet to yield 200 yards Everyone in the conrushing in a single game this ference is gunning for season and have held a handthe Rockets and they can ful of teams below the century expect their bitter I-75 rimark. vals, the Bowling Green This plays well against a State Falcons, to be no team like Bowling Green, different. who would rather establish a Part of the success of the running game than put the Toledo defense can actually ball in the air all day. SPORTS REPORTER be attributed to the offense. That strategy may not The Rockets’ offense is bode well for BGSU, as fourth in the MAC in time of possession, they’ll have to put up points quickly to compared to BGSU, which sits in last. keep up with Toledo. The Rockets do all UT’s offense has been able to keep the dethe little things as well as any team in the fense rested and off the field, while the MAC. They don’t leave points on the Bowling Green defense has been left out board, leading the conference in field goal to dry by an offense that goes three and percentage and red zone scoring percentout way too often. age. UT also doesn’t grant teams good Looking at the raw numbers, the Tolefield position, leading the MAC in kickoff do defense looks like a middle-of-thecoverage. pack unit. The run defense is solid, but Bowling Green has proven they can the pass defense appears to be struggling. complete passes, but only for a measly That, however, can be largely attrib6.5 yard average. They’re also near the uted to a really strong out-of-conferbottom of the conference in passing ence schedule, when the Rockets hosted touchdowns with just 12. reigning SEC East champions Missouri Don’t let the yardage fool you, this is and went to Cincinnati to play Gunner not an explosive Bowling Green passing Kiel and the Bearcats’ high-flying ofattack. fense, then traveled to Iowa State to A veteran-laden Rockets’ defense, replay a typically explosive Big 12 unit. turning nine starters from last year’s When facing MAC offenses — espeteam awaits the Falcons when they enter cially some of the more pass-happy ofthe Glass Bowl. If they can do what they fenses in the conference — Toledo has usually do in stopping the run, while given up 292 passing yards per game, slowing down Bowling Green’s
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