Ohio

[mbenecke]

And Q totally redeems himself with a long catch down the left sideline. That was nice. BG offense in the red zone - we'll see if they can finish a drive...

[mbenecke]

I really disliked the run call on 3rd and 6 there. The idea behind it was to pick up 2 or 3 to give us 4th and manageable, but we were stuffed and settled for 3.

Needham knocks it through, and Ohio's lead is cut to 14-3.

[mbenecke]

And naturally, Ohio returns the ensuing kickoff for a TD. I counted at least 4 missed tackles on the play - they were in position, but not strong enough to make the tackles, which is what Loeffler has been talking about.

It's 21-3 with 3 seconds left in the first quarter.

[SW-MI Falcon]

3rd and 7, next series 3rd and 6 ..... run the football?

[mbenecke]

END OF 1: Ohio leads, 21-3.

McDonald was 6/7 in the first quarter for 61 yards. The only incompletion was a drop.

Clair has 9 carries for 61 yards.

Morris has 5 catches for 52 yards.

We actually lead in total yards after the first quarter, 138-127. No turnovers, winning time of possession, more yards, efficient pass/run game so far. So what the heck is killing us? Penalties - 4 in the quarter.

[TommyG]

This team is not well coached. They better recruit better than the entire MAC...that is the only chance they have to be even an average MAC team.

[MarkL]

Matt McDonald has a TD pass!!

[mbenecke]

Clair runs one in on what looked like pretty good blocking (even the announcers thought so), but they bring it back for a hold.

Then, McDonald tosses a 25ish yard touchdown to Javonte Kinsey. Awesome ball, awesome catch. Glad Matty could get the monkey off his back.

Ohio leads 21-10.

[jpfalcon09]

McDonald looks much better today. Mechanics still suck and he throws some ducks but he's been accurate.

[mbenecke]

Nice tackle in space there by Jordan Anderson. I continue to believe he will be one of our best defensive players for the next few years.

[mbenecke]

I mean damn, man. We force them into a third and long, we get good pressure, and their mobile QB just scoots away to pick up 9. Feels like a cheat code, because these guys are legitimately working hard and trying to make plays.

[mbenecke]

Force a third and 13, then they throw a little slant underneath and we just can't stop them.

Until we start winning third down, we won't be a winning football team. It's really that simple.

[mbenecke]

Ohio pushes the lead back up to 28-10 with a 6 yard TD pass.

Not much else to say beyond that. 4 and a half minutes until halftime, and we get the ball out of the half. I'd love to see us sandwich some scores around the half and find ourselves in a 4-point game with about 10 minutes left in the third quarter... but I guess we'll see what happens.

[Schadenfreude]

That last drive was not a good one for BG. This team shows more competence each week, but not consistency.

[mbenecke]

Armani Rogers comes in for one play and keeps the ball on an option play for a touchdown.

Ohio leads 35-10.