Final Score in Dix Stadium, Bowling Green 49 – Kent State 19.

Kent Preview

Head Coach Kenni Burns and the Kent State Golden Flashes continue to struggle. Kent (1-8) is winless in the MAC and has one lone win against an FCS school. The Golden Flashes may be the worst team in college football right now after the Akron Zips reclaimed the Wagon Wheel last week and put up a 21-point 4th quarter to win. Going into tonight Kent looked to win their first game in the MAC but in general, against a Division 1 team.

Bowling Green Preview

Bowling Green is coming into tonight’s matchup with a 5-4 record and a 3-2 record in the MAC. The Falcons have lost against two top-25-ranked teams and the two best teams in the MAC East. Only being one win away from being bowl-eligible, they came into tonight hungry to lock in their bowl ticket.

The Lone Bright Spot

It was a rough first half for Kent State only managing to put up 6 points. The Golden Flashes defense was torched in the air tonight and gave up 28 points in the first half. The offense was disappointing in the 1st half but got progressively better throughout the game.

Tommy Ulatowski was a bright spot for the team as he threw for over 280 yards. He was able to get Kent down the field and in manageable good-down situations but the ground game couldn’t move the chains. It was a slow first half but the offense looked better in the 2nd half managing to put up 13 points. The Golden Flashes ultimately struggled just putting up points as it has been the theme all season.

Kent State did come out of the half holding Bowling Green to 0 points in the 3rd quarter which was an improvement. Following that small win, Tommy threw Kent’s first touchdown of the game. Kenni Burns has to focus on the small victories when his team can’t win what’s important. The actual game. Kenni should look to lean on Tommy a little bit more after 2 impressive performances.

Hungry Falcons

The Falcons did not mess around today, as they wanted that 6th win to become bowl-eligible. They put up 28 points and had a 22-point going into halftime. Bowling Green capitalized off a forced fumble to score the first touchdown of the game and carried that momentum until the end of the half. The Falcons were able to execute a crucial fake punt and pull off a 3-play drive in which Ta’Roth Keith had 2 big explosive plays and a touchdown. It was a slow 3rd quarter before a 14-point cherry on the top 4th quarter.

The defense held Kent to 6 points and a missed field goal in the 1st half which allowed them to lead by a comfortable margin that Kent State would have trouble coming back from. The Falcons just needed to hold Kent out of the endzone early to allow their offense to get a big enough lead. It was a solid performance from the defense which limited Kent from operating within the red zone.

Tonights MVP

Ta’Ron Keith Running Back for Bowling Green. Dominate on the ground and in the air, he did it all. It felt like when Bowling Green needed an explosive play, to move the chains, he was the go-to guy tonight. Kent State had no answer for Keith as he was a one-man show tonight. Ta’Ron had 2 total touchdowns and over 230 total yards. A true X-factor tonight who was a big help in pursuit of that precious 6th win benchmark.

Stats

Kent State Golden Flashes 1-9 (0-6 Mac) 

QB Tommy Ulatowski – 23/36, 284 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception

RB Jaylen Thomas – 18 carries for 73 yards and 1 touchdown

WR Luke Floreia – 9 receptions for 95 yards

Linebacker Nick Giacolone – Lead tackler with 12 total and 7 solo tackles

Bowling Green Falcons 6-4 (4-2 Mac) 

QB Connor Bazelak – 13/19, 188 yards, 1 touchdown,1 interception

QB Camden Orth – 4/4, 98 yards, 1 touchdown, 9 carries for 26 yards and 2 touchdowns

RB Ta’Ron Keith – 9 carries 103 yards 1 touchdown/ 8 receptions 130 yards 1 touchdown

WR Harold Fannin Jr. – 4 receptions, 92 yards, 1 touchdown

Safety Patrick Day – Lead Tackler with 11 total and 7 solo tackles