On July 19, the MAC announced the preseason coaches poll. Bowling Green was picked to finish tied for third in the conference. They received zero votes to win the MAC Championship.[2][3]
8:20 BGSU – Terion Stewart 7-yard run (Jackson Kleather kick) – Bowling Green 13–0. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 4:39.
0:09 BGSU – Lucian Anderson III 13-yard run (Jackson Kleather kick) – Bowling Green 20–0. Drive: 8 plays, 93 yards, 3:38.
Second quarter
9:54 BGSU – Connor Bazelak 8-yard run (Jackson Kleather kick) – Bowling Green 27–0. Drive: 8 plays, 38 yards, 4:10.
0:00 FORD – Bennett Henderson 24-yard field goal – Bowling Green 27–3. Drive: 13 plays, 74 yards, 5:16.
Third quarter
13:35 FORD – Cole Thornton 30-yard pass from C. J. Montes (Bennett Henderson kick) – Bowling Green 27–10. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:25.
1:21 BGSU – Terion Stewart 7-yard run (Jackson Kleather kick) – Bowling Green 34–10. Drive: 13 plays, 94 yards, 5:34.
Fourth quarter
7:28 BGSU – Terion Stewart 73-yard run (Jackson Kleather kick) – Bowling Green 41–10. Drive: 3 plays, 86 yards, 1:23.
0:24 FORD – Jack Batten 60-yard pass from Jack Capaldi (Bennett Henderson kick) – Bowling Green 41–17. Drive: 7 plays, 95 yards, 2:24.
Bowling Green opened its season with a 41–17 victory on August 29 against the Fordham Rams in front of 12,786 at Doyt Perry Stadium. Tennessee Tech transfer Justin Pegues returned the game's opening kickoff 100-yards for a touchdown, breaking the school record for the longest kick return.[8] Running back Terion Stewart ran for 161 yards and three touchdowns, matching his career high. Running back Jaison Patterson surpassed 1,000 career rushing yards in his career, becoming the 40th Falcon to do so.[9]
3:32 BGSU – Jamal Johnson 41-yard run (Jackson Kleather kick) – Bowling Green 24–17. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:56.
0:10 PSU – Sander Sahaydak 28-yard field goal – Bowling Green 24–20. Drive: 10 plays, 64 yards, 3:22.
Third quarter
6:13 PSU – Nicholas Singleton 14-yard pass from Drew Allar (Sander Sahaydak kick) – Penn State 27–24. Drive: 8 plays, 85 yards, 4:07.
Fourth quarter
4:09 PSU – Nicholas Singleton 41-yard run (Sander Sahaydak kick) – Penn State 34–24. Drive: 1 play, 41 yards, :07.
0:47 BGSU – Jackson Kleather 42-yard field goal – Penn State 34–27. Drive: 9 plays, 41 yards, 3:22.
On September 7, Bowling Green visited Beaver Stadium to take on the number 8 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions. The game was the third all-time meeting between the Falcons and Nittany Lions, with the Nittany Lions having won each of their previous two meetings.[10] The Falcons were without starting running back Terion Stewart who was injured in the week one game against Fordham. The game had an attendance of 103,861.
Bowling Green lost the game 27–34. The game began with Penn State winning the coin toss and deferring to the second half. On the Falcons opening drive, quarterback Connor Bazelak connected with Harold Fannin Jr. on a 6-yard touchdown pass to start the scoring. The opening drive touchdown snapped Penn State's streak of 28 games not allowing an opponent to score a first-drive touchdown. Heading into the matchup, it was the longest streak in the nation. The Falcons scored on their first three drives of the game, building them a 17–7 lead. At the half, Bowling Green led Penn State 24–20. The Nittany Lions earned their first lead of the game midway through the third quarter when quarterback Drew Allar found Nicholas Singleton on a 14-yard touchdown pass. Singleton added to the lead in the fourth quarter on a 41-yard touchdown run. In the final minute, Bowling Green kicker Jackson Kleather made his second field goal of the game, making it just a one score advantage for the Nittany Lions. The Falcons were unsuccessful on their onside kick attempt, allowing Penn State to run out the clock.[11]
Fannin Jr. led the Falcons with 11 receptions and 137 receiving yards, which both marked career-highs. He became the 43rd Falcon to reach 1,000 career receiving yards. Running back Jaison Patterson had 57 yards on 16 carries filling in for the injured Stewart. Jamal Johnson also made an impact with a 41-yard touchdown run, his first collegiate rushing touchdown.[12]
5:24 BGSU – Rahkeem Smith 40-yard run (Jackson Kleather kick) – Texas A&M 20–17. Drive: 9 plays, 81 yards, 5:13.
Fourth quarter
12:56 TAMU – Randy Bond 34-yard field goal – Texas A&M 23–17. Drive: 12 plays, 64 yards, 4:01.
7:15 TAMU – Randy Bond 42-yard field goal – Texas A&M 26–17. Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards, 4:20.
0:38 BGSU – Jackson Kleather 23-yard field goal – Texas A&M 26–20. Drive: 6 plays, 30 yards, 0:54.
The Bowling Green Falcons traveled to College Station to take on the number 25 ranked Texas A&M Aggies. The Falcons played their second ranked opponent of the season in as many games played. This was the first matchup between the Falcons and Aggies.[13] The Aggies are led by head coach Mike Elko, who previously spent five seasons as Bowling Green's defensive coordinator from 2009 to 2013.[14] Aggies defensive lineman Cashius Howell spent the 2021–2023 seasons at Bowling Green. He previously was named third team All-MAC in 2023 after leading the Falcons with 9.5 sacks, which was tied for first in the MAC and 16th nationally. Howell recorded his first sack with the Aggies in a 33–20 victory over Florida the previous week.[15] Aggies freshman quarterback Marcel Reed started in place for the injured Conner Weigman in the win over the Gators.[16][17]
The game had an attendance of 99,523. The Falcons won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Texas A&M then went on a 11 plays 75-yard touchdown drive. Starting quarterback Marcel Reed found Theo Melin Öhrström on a 27-yard touchdown pass. This was Reed's second consecutive start filling in for the injured Conner Weigman. The Falcons trailed 3–13 entering the half time break. Bowling Green quarterback Connor Bazelak connected with Harold Fannin Jr. on a 65-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage to cut the Aggies lead to just three points. The Aggies responded with a scoring drive of its own when Reed threw his second touchdown pass of the game, this time to Jahdae Walker. For the second consecutive possession, the Falcons answered with a touchdown drive. Backup quarterback Lucian Anderson III checked into the game where he handed the ball off to running back Terion Stewart, who then flipped the ball in reverse to wide receiver Rahkeem Smith for a 40-yard touchdown. After a Texas A&M three-and-out, cornerback Darius McClendon blocked the Aggies punt inside their own 8-yard line. Looking to tie the game, kicker Jackson Kleather missed a 28-yard field goal. The Aggies then scored fields goals on back to back possessions to increase the lead to 26–17. With under two minutes remaining, Bazelak's pass was intercepted in the endzone by Marcus Ratcliffe. However, on the Aggies first play, Bowling Green linebacker Brock Horne forced a fumble that was recovered by Edward Rhambo. Kleather connected on a 23-yard field goal, making it once again a one score game. The Falcons would not be able to convert on an onside kick attempt, allowing Texas A&M to run out the remainder of the clock.[18]
Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. had a game high 145 yards on eight receptions and one touchdown. It was his second consecutive 100-yard game against a Top 25 team. For his performance he was named MAC Offensive Player of the Week.[19]
Old Dominion came to Bowling Green with a 0–3 record as they had one possession losses to South Carolina and East Carolina. Following a loss to Virginia Tech, the Monarchs were fresh off of a bye week.[20] This was the first matchup between the Falcons and Monarchs.[21]
With Bowling Green winning the coin toss and deferring to the second half, Old Dominion quarterback Grant Wilson led the Monarchs on an eight play 75-yard drive that resulted in a Pat Conroy 9-yard touchdown catch. Following a Falcons turnover on downs at midfield and a Monarchs punt, Bowling Green quarterback Connor Bazelak engineered a 10 play 76-yard drive that ended in a 18-yard touchdown pass to Harold Fannin Jr.. On the first play of Old Dominion's next drive, Wilson faked a quarterback draw and found Conroy wide open on a 75-yard touchdown. The Orange and Brown responded on its next possession with a Jaison Patterson 17-yard touchdown, his first of the season. Old Dominion led at the break, 17–14.
Early in the third quarter, the Falcons earned its first lead when Bazelak found Fannin Jr. on a 65-yard touchdown reception for his second touchdown. On the Monarchs second possession of the second half, Wilson was replaced by redshirt freshman quarterback Colton Joseph. Joseph started the Monarchs' previous game against the Hookies, but was benched in favor of true freshman Quinn Henicle.[22] Following a Bazelak interception, Joseph found the end zone on a 14-yard scramble, giving the Monarchs a 23–21 lead after a missed extra point with 11:57 remaining. Following back-to-back punts, the Falcons once again took the lead, this time coming on a Terion Stewart 13-yard touchdown run. With under three minutes remaining, Joseph took the Monarchs on a 13 play 79-yard touchdown drive that included a fourth down conversion on its own 40-yard line. The game winning touchdown was scored with just 24 seconds remaining on a 4-yard touchdown run by Aaron Young.[23] The ensuing Falcons drive got as far as their own 40-yard line before running out of time. Bowling Green's homecoming was spoiled, and they ended their non conference schedule with a 1–3 record.
Fannin Jr. set a career-high with 12 receptions and 193 receiving yards in the loss. He also set a school record for single game receiving yards by a tight end, passing Mark Dowdell's 1983 record of 175 yards. His two touchdowns also broke Bowling Green's career record for receiving touchdowns by a tight end. For the third consecutive game, Fannin surpassed his career high in receiving yards. For the second consecutive week he was named Mackey Award and MAC Offensive Player of the Week.[24][25]
Bowling Green opened MAC conference play as they traveled to Akron for their homecoming. Bowling Green won the matchup 27–20, earning its 300th all-time win in MAC play.[26] The Falcons advanced to 21–10 all-time against the Zips.[27]
Akron's first possession was halted when Bowling Green linebacker Charles Rosser sacked quarterback Ben Finley. Finley fumbled the ball that was then recovered by a Zips player, resulting in a 15-yard loss. Following a 46-yard punt, Bowling Green started its first possession on its own four yard line. Quarterback Connor Bazelak connected with tight end Harold Fannin Jr. for 63 yards on its first offensive play of the game. Fannin Jr. siff-armed and hurled defenders down to the Akron 33 yard line. Five plays later, running back Jaison Patterson scored untouched on a 2-yard run. Patterson notched his second start of the season, replacing injured starter Terion Stewart. Stewart was inactive for the second time in the last four games. On the last play of the first quarter, leading 7–3, punt returner Justin Pegues muffed Akron's punt that was then recovered in the end zone by a defender, giving the Zips a 10–7 lead. After back-to-back punts by both teams, Bazelak orchestrated a 16 play, 64-yard drive that resulted in a Jackson Kleather career-long 45-yard field goal. The Falcons defense then caused a Zips three and out, resulting in another punt. Starting its drive on Akron's 41-yard line with under two minutes remaining in the half, Bazelak completed three straight passes inside the redzone. Patterson then had two consecutive carries, scoring on a 9-yard run on the second.
Both teams first possession of the second half stalled, resulting in punts. On the Orange and Brown's second possession, Jackson Kleather made a 31-yard field goal that gave the Falcons a 20–10 lead with 14:56 remaining. The 14 play drive took nearly eight minutes of game time off of the clock and was the second drive of the game for over 80 yards. Leading by two possessions, Akron answered quickly when Finley completed a 48-yard pass to wide receiver Adrian Norton on the first play of its next drive. The next play, Finley found receiver Bobby Golden who was tackled at the five yard line. The following play, backup quarterback Tahj Bullock checked into the game and scored on a keeper. After a Bowling Green three and out, Akron tied the game on its next drive with a Garrison Smith 38-yard field goal. With the score tied 20–20, the Falcons were faced with a 4th-and-2 on Akron's 31 yard line. Following a Bowling Green timeout, Fannin Jr. took an end-around where he evaded Zips defenders for a 31-yard score.[28] Akron's proceeding drive faced a 4th-and-9 on Bowling Green's 17 yard line with under a minute remaining. Facing pass rush, Finley's pass sailed incomplete in the end zone intended to receiver Ahmarian Granger.[29] Bowling Green was then able to run out the clock, advancing to 1–0 in MAC play.[30]
Fannin Jr. finished with a game high nine receptions for 135 yards. This continued his program record with his fourth consecutive 100 yard game. For his performance he was named MAC Offensive Player of the Week for the third consecutive week. Since 1956, Fannin Jr. is one of four tight ends in FBS that have notched over 1,500 yards receiving, 11 receiving touchdowns and five or more rushing touchdowns.[31]
The Falcons hosted the Huskies for their sixth game of the season. Northern Illinois came to Doyt stadium with an eventful start of the season. After crushing FCS opponent Western Illinois, they surprised the nation by defeating number 5 ranked Notre Dame 16–14 on the road at Notre Dame Stadium.[32] After a bye week, they were ranked 23 in the country before dropping their conference opener to Buffalo in overtime. The following week, they lost by a touchdown on the road to NC State. The Huskies then defeated UMass 34–20, bringing its record to 3–2 to face the Falcons. Starting running back Antario Brown was injured in the victory over the Minutemen and would not play against the Falcons.[33]
Bowling Green won the coin toss for the fourth consecutive week and elected to defer. Huskies' quarterback Ethan Hampton led a 10 play 46 yard drive that resulted in a Kanon Woodill 46-yard field goal. The Falcons then marched right down the field on a five play 75 yard drive that resulted in a Harold Fannin Jr. 11-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Connor Bazelak. Northern Illinois next drive was stopped on downs at the Bowling Green 39 yard line. Looking to capitalize, the Falcons drove down to the Huskies 24 yard line, but kicker Jackson Kleather missed on a 42-yard field goal attempt. With just over nine minutes remaining in the half, Bazelak was sacked on strip-fumble. The fumble set up the Huskies inside Bowling Green's 10 yard line. On second and goal, Hampton would take a hit that caused him to miss the remainder of the game on a quarterback keeper.[34] Following an incomplete pass by backup quarterback Josh Holst on third and goal, Bowling Green defensive lineman Ali Saad blocked the Huskies 24-yard field goal attempt. Following a Falcons three and out, Holst took the Huskies on a 13 play 54 yard drive that resulted in a 21-yard field goal by Woodill. Late in the first half, Bazelak was sacked and sustained a lower body injury that significantly hindered his mobility. The Falcons led at the break 7–6.
On the Orange and Brown's first possession of the second half, they drove the ball down inside the Huskies 10 yard line, but could not convert. Backup kicker Zach Long's 27-yard field goal was nullified by an offensive penalty. Long then missed a 32-yard attempt the following play. With just under six minutes remaining in the third quarter, Bazelak was removed from the game after showing continued discomfort. Following a Falcons punt, Holst took the Huskies on its first touchdown drive of the game where he scampered in from 22 yards out. After a converted two-point conversion attempt, the Huskies led 14–7 with 14:53 remaining. Backup quarterback Lucian Anderson III struggled to move the ball and did not pick up a first down with out a penalty until his final possession under center. The Huskies tacked onto its lead with Woodill's third field goal of the game with six minutes remaining to round out the scoring.[35] The Huskies and Falcons both advanced to 1–1 in MAC play.
Bazelak became the 41st player in FBS history to reach 1,000 completions.[36]
Kent State came into the game with the longest active FBS losing streak of 15 games. They also had not lead in a game at any point of the season. After four games, the Golden Flashes named Tommy Ulatowski starting quarterback. Through two games as a starter, he threw for 739 yards and seven touchdowns.[37] Reigning MAC Offensive Player of the Week wide receiver Chrishon McCray had 13 receptions for 401 yards and five touchdowns during that two game span.[38] Bowling Green came into the game with a 61–24–6 record, winning the previous matchup 49–19.[39]
After punts by both teams to start the game, the Falcons went on a nine play 84 yard drive that resulted in a Zach Long 32 yard field goal. Running back Ky Thomas ran for 60 of his season high 121 yards on the first two plays of the Golden Flashes following drive.[40] Kent State kicker Will Hryszko tied the game with a 37-yard kick. Bowling Green quarterback Connor Bazelak then found wide receiver Malcolm Johnson Jr. on a 50-yard touchdown pass its next drive. Following a Kent State punt, Long would connect on his second field goal of the game from 25 yards out. After both teams traded punts, the Golden Flashes had a nine play 51 yard drive that ended with Hryszko's second field goal. With under a minute remaining in the half, Falcons backup quarterback Lucian Anderson III scored on a designed run for his second score of the season. Bowling Green led at the half 20–6.
An uneventful second half was highlighted by three Falcons fourth quarter interceptions. The Orange and Brown capped off the scoring with Bazelak connecting with Jamal Johnson on a 7-yard score out of the backfield with just under seven minutes remaining in the game.[41] McCray was held to just three receptions for 21 yards. Bowling Green's defensive captain Jordan Oladokun limited McCray to only two catches for five yards while guarding him. Gold Flashes quarterback Ulatowski managed just seven completions on 27 attempts. Falcons' Bazelak threw for a season high 313 yards and was 23-of-27 passing. His completion percentage of 85.2 set a single game program record for a quarterback with 20 plus attempts. Bowling Green's Harold Fannin Jr. racked up 171 receiving yards on 10 receptions, putting him as the programs receiving yards leader by a tight end. He passed his position coach and former Falcon, Alex Bayer.[42]
Bowling Green won the coin toss and elected to defer. After a three and out by Toledo, running back Terion Stewart scored on a 5-yard run that capped off a five play 45 yard drive. The Rockets responded with a nine play 75 yard drive of its own. Quarterback Tucker Gleason found wide receiver Jerjuan Newton on a 4-yard touchdown pass to even the score. After both teams traded punts, quarterback Connor Bazelak connected with tight end Harold Fannin Jr. on a nine yard shovel pass that gave the Falcons a 14–7 lead. The Rockets then settled for a Dylan Cunanan career long 54-yard field goal on its next drive. On Bowling Green's ensuing drive, Bazelak found senior tight end Levi Gazarek on a 2-yard score. This was Gazarek's first career touchdown.[43] He also was a member on the baseball team that had won the MAC regular season in the spring. This was the third touchdown in the Falcon's first four possessions. Gleason then took the Rockets on a 14 play 75 yard drive where he scored on a 12-yard keeper. Following a Bowling Green punt, Gleason's pass was intercepted in Falcons territory by defensive back Jordan Oladokun who then returned it 61 yards for a touchdown. Toledo salvaged another Cunanan field goal as the clock expired, making the score 28–20 at the break.
After Bowling Green's first drive stalled, Gleason found Newton on a 64-yard touchdown for his second score of the game. This was Newton's 31st career receiving touchdown, which set a program record.[44] Gleason's two-point conversion pass sailed incomplete and the Falcons kept a two point lead. Falcons' kicker Zach Long made two field goals the following two drives, including a career long of 47 yards. Leading 34–26 in the fourth quarter, Gleason was intercepted again by Oladokun. The Orange and Brown capitalized on the second turnover of the game when Rahkeem Smith scored on a 19-yard jet sweep.[45] The Bowling Green victory narrowed Toledo's all-time series lead to just one game after 89 meetings.[46]
Bazelak surpassed 11,000 yards for his career and became the 86th player in FBS history to do so. Stewart surpassed 2,000 career rushing yards and became the 14th player in program history to achieve this.[47] For Oladokun's performance, he was named Pro Football Focus national and conference team of the week.[48]
Bowling Green built a 9–0 lead from three first half Zach Long field goals. Central Michigan punted its first four possessions of the game. With under two minutes remaining in the half, Chippewas freshman quarterback Tyler Jefferson broke free on a 44-yard run inside the Falcons 30 yard line. Four plays later, Jefferson scored from 1-yard out on a keeper. The Falcons lead at the break 9–7.
On the first play of the second half, Jefferson was sacked by Anthony Hawkins who caused a fumble. Bowling Green's Joseph Sipp Jr. recovered the fumble in Central Michigan territory. Six plays later, Connor Bazelak found tight end Levi Gazarek on a 9-yard touchdown pass. It was Gazarek's second score in as many games. Following a Chippewas punt, the Falcons drove inside its opponents 20 yard line, but Long's field 27-yard field goal attempt was blocked. Leading 16–7, Central Michigan elected to attempt a 4th and four from the Bowling Green's thirty yard line. Running back Marion Lukes was stopped just a yard short, turning the ball over on downs. After both teams traded punts, the Falcons would put the game away on a Jaison Patterson 1-yard touchdown run with under six minutes remaining. Jefferson was replaced in the fourth quarter after completing just one pass in seven attempts. True freshman Jadyn Glasser led the Chippewas on a 75-yard touchdown drive that he capped off on a 1-yard score with under two minutes remaining. Trailing by ten, the Chippewas two point conversion attempt was unsuccessful. Bowling Green was then able to run out the remainder of the clock, advancing to a four way tie for first place in league play.[49]
Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. surpassed 1,000 receiving yards on the season. He became the first Falcon since Scotty Miller in 2018 to accomplish this feat. His seven receptions broke the Bowling Green single-season record for receptions by a tight end, previously held by Mark Dowdell. Bazelak finished the game with 207 passing yards, surpassing 2,000 for the season. He became the third player in FBS history to pass for over 2,000 yards four seasons.[50]
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