The “Goal Line Nightmares” vs. Akron must stop!!!

[BGSU33]

If Coach Brandon and his staff needs something to fire up each and every one of his players for this game against Akron on Friday night, maybe this will do it. Read on:

Akron has won three of the last four games in the series, including the last two games at the Doyt in 2000 and 2005. But in those last two games against Akron at home, BG has had all kinds of goal line nightmares, and I mean nightmares!

In 2005, in the 3rd quarter trailing 10-7, we had a 1st and goal from the Akron 9. Three play later, on 4th and goal from the Akron 1, P.J. Pope fumbled the ball going in for a BG TD and it was recovered by Akron for a touchback after a controversial video replay. On the ensuing drive, Akron drove the length of the field and had 1st and goal from the BG 4. After the Falcons held the Zips on three plays, Akron had 4th and goal from the BG 1 and the Zips were able to successfully score a TD. It was a 14-point swing and BG lost the game by 10, 24-14. If you want a little more fuel to add to the fire from that game, on our opening drive that we took to the Zips’ 10, Akron’s Reggie Corner, who transferred from BG to UA, picked us off in the endzone in a drive we woulda/coulda/shoulda had points on. And added to all of that, BG finished in a three-way tie for first place and it was Akron who went on to the MAC Championship and bowl game that year!

But as frustrating as our goal line nightmares were in 2005, it wasn’t as bad as what happened in 2000. Trailing 27-21 in the 4th quarter, BG had 1st and goal from the Akron 4. We had a 1 yard run to the 3, followed by an incomplete pass, then had a two-yard run to the one. On 4th and goal from the Akron 1, we were stopped for no gain resulting in a turnover on downs. If that wasn’t bad enough, the ensuing possession was worse! Again, we moved the ball again downfield and had a 1st and goal from the Akron 7. Our first play was a six-yard run to the one to set up 2nd and goal from the Akron 1. We had three tries from the one yard line to scored a TD, and in three tries from the Akron 1, we ran the ball three times for no gain and again, we turned the ball over on downs! We lost the game by six. Talk about squandered opportunities.

And if all of this wasn’t bad enough, just remember, last year in the 4th quarter we trailed Akron in the Rubber Bowl 35-21 only to fight back 35-28 and then later scored a TD that we could have attempted to tie the game at 35-35 or go for two and the win. But, the TD was wiped out on an offensive pass interference call and we were sacked on the next play and we lost the game by seven.

Now, if we need any more motivation from these results above, coupled with what Ohio did to us on our home field last week in order to “Get Up” for this game against Akron, then we don’t have a pulse. Because I’ll tell you what, I don't know about you all, but when I think of Akron and remember all of this happening to us in recent games, it gets me fired up!!!

[Falconfreak90]

33,

That 2000 game was the worst. I was there and couldn't believe we had EIGHT shots to score and got stuffed. If some people question the play calling now, they should have seen the PC that day.

Last year we gott ripped off with that bogus PI call on Ruiz in the end zone. He didn't push off at all and the freakin' ref waited to see if he caught the ball...he did and then the flag came out. We were completely screwed on that call and everyone knows it. Coach B told me had BG got the TD, he was going for 2 on the spot.

I'm with you...I despise Akron. Losing 4 of the last 5 to them burns me as well. We only lead the series now, 8-7.

This is a game we need to come out and roll this bunch...they have lots of problems in key areas and as long as we play hard and play our game...ala Kent, WKU, Temple, MSU and MN. That team will roll UA by 3 td's. If the Miami game team shows up, it will be close and ugly.

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROCK ZIPPY!!!!!!!! Roo this...

[VDub26Falcon]

What happened to the team that started the game in Minnesota? Where are those guys? Can we get them to play? They seemed to be pretty pumped up for the season.

[Rightupinthere]

Um, with all due respect, but Brandon has many positive traits about him. Studying history isn't one of them.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

What happened to the team that started the game in Minnesota? Where are those guys? Can we get them to play? They seemed to be pretty pumped up for the season.

That team is still around. They just don't get to play Minnesota anymore.

[VDub26Falcon]

Well played J4H...you are a worthy adversary.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

Well played J4H...you are a worthy adversary.

I do what I can.

[hammb]

What happened to the team that started the game in Minnesota? Where are those guys? Can we get them to play? They seemed to be pretty pumped up for the season.

That team is still around. They just don't get to play Minnesota anymore.

I would also make the argument that if we played Minnesota in the 3rd game of the season rather than the 1st we likely don't beat them. They were NOT expecting us to come out throwing every down and we put up a quick 21 points on them. We struggled to move the ball much in the 2nd half until the game tying FG drive.

[bgsufalcon24]

What happened to the team that started the game in Minnesota? Where are those guys? Can we get them to play? They seemed to be pretty pumped up for the season.

That team is still around. They just don't get to play Minnesota anymore.

I would also make the argument that if we played Minnesota in the 3rd game of the season rather than the 1st we likely don't beat them. They were NOT expecting us to come out throwing every down and we put up a quick 21 points on them. We struggled to move the ball much in the 2nd half until the game tying FG drive.

I would also make the argument that if we played Michigan State in November instead of in September we likely win. Every year they start out 4-0 or 5-0 only to go on a 7-or-8 game losing streak once they lose their first game. It's happening again.

[hammb]

What happened to the team that started the game in Minnesota? Where are those guys? Can we get them to play? They seemed to be pretty pumped up for the season.

That team is still around. They just don't get to play Minnesota anymore.

I would also make the argument that if we played Minnesota in the 3rd game of the season rather than the 1st we likely don't beat them. They were NOT expecting us to come out throwing every down and we put up a quick 21 points on them. We struggled to move the ball much in the 2nd half until the game tying FG drive.

I would also make the argument that if we played Michigan State in November instead of in September we likely win. Every year they start out 4-0 or 5-0 only to go on a 7-or-8 game losing streak once they lose their first game. It's happening again.

A distinct possibility I suppose, but I'm of the belief that that happens for a reason: Schedule strength. They never really play any top level programs OOC and get wins. Then when they get into the Big 10 they have to play PSU, UW, UM, and OSU. that is a big reason for their struggles late in years.

Of course they go on to lose to the crappy Big 10 teams as well when they're in their funks, so who knows...

[TG1996]

Of course they go on to lose to the crappy Big 10 teams as well when they're in their funks, so who knows...

How does that famous Doyt quote go? "Either we're going to win big, they're gonna win big, or it's going to be a really good game."

Something to that effect...actually seems pretty appropriate for this entire season, come to think of it...