Bowling Green comes off a bye week to take on Texas A&M in another loud environment.
Game notes
- Time and Date: Saturday, September 21st at 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Kyle Field in College Station, Texas
- Weather: High 80s to Low 90s at kickoff, partly cloudy skies
- Gambling considerations: Texas A&M (-23), O/U 52.5 per DraftKings.
- Viewing options: The game will be available on ESPN+/SEC Network+. A valid subscription is required for viewing. ??? (play-by-play) and ??? (color) will provide commentary.
- Radio options: Todd Walker (play-by-play) and John Gibson (color) will provide the BGSU call for Eagle FM 99.
- All-time series: First Meeting
Getting to know the Falcons
Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
After a great showing at Penn State, the Falcons come off of a bye week to take on Texas A&M. Since Loeffler has taken over, the Falcons are 2-8 against Power 4 opponents (Notre Dame included). They’re looking forward to the opportunity to play the Aggies for the first time.
Connor Bazelak is healthy, a fact we saw that in the first half against Penn State. What fell flat were the chances he had. Bazelak finished with 254 yards, two touchdowns, and two costly interceptions at Penn State near game’s end. The Falcons need to figure out how to put two halves of good football on the field every week.
The rushing attack took a hit at Penn State as Terion Stewart was sidelined for an injury. Coach Loeffler mentioned in the weekly presser, “Do I expect Terion to play? Of course I do.” Stewart will be a huge boost for the Falcon rushing attack this weekend which finished with 121 yards against Penn State.
Both Harold Fannin Jr. and Malcolm Johnson Jr. had excellent days in in their last contest. Fannin had 11 catches for 137 yards and one touchdown, with Johnson adding eight catches for 87 yards and one touchdown. When Bazelak gets the chance to make a throw, he’s got dependable receivers.
Defensively, the Falcons earned their first turnover last time out. Jacorey Benjamin earned the honor with a interception at the end of the third quarter. The defense gives up an average of 419.5 yards per game. This defense will give the Falcons a chance to make plays
Getting to know the Aggies
Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
We’ve got our eyes on this one. This will be a reunion of sorts for Cashius Howell, Bowling Green’s sack leader in 2023.
The passing attack has accumulated 474 passing yards, led by Marcel Reed with 249 yards and two touchdowns. Reed can also be a dual threat adding 126 rushing yards and one touchdown. Connor Weigman follows up with 225 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. It’s unclear who the starting quarterback will be at present, as Weigman has been dealing with both injuries and ineffective play. Regardless, the Aggies need to figure out their passing game. This Aggies offense averages 358.7 yards per game, but only averages 181.7 passing yards per game.
The rushing attack is led by Le’Veon Moss. He has 264 yards and three touchdowns. Amari Daniels follows up with 163 yards and two touchdowns. The Aggies average 263 rushing yards per game. It’s definitely the working cog of the offense.
Cyrus Allen leads a quiet receiving corps with 181 yards and one touchdown. The Aggies will definitely need to figure out what their passing attack can do.
Defensively, the Aggies give up 312 yards per game. They’ve also racked up five interceptions and three sacks. This week will determine how the Aggies can attack the offense.
What Each Team Needs
The Falcons will need to be consistent. They took the college football world by storm in the first half at Penn State, then they fell flat. If the Falcons are to have any chance of winning at Kyle Field, they need to perform in both halves. Secondly, the offensive line will need to repeat their week two performance. Bazelak was not sacked at Penn State, and keeping him upright will be key to the Falcons’ attempts at an upset this weekend,
Texas A&M needs their passing game to get going. When there are 13 SEC quarterbacks producing more passing yards than their two quarterbacks combined, work has to be done to be successful. It’s reasonable to expect A&M’s quarterbacks will figure it out before going back into conference play.