After a strong first half showing, the Falcon offense would stall out in a heartbreaking, yet promising performance.
Bowling Green traveled to Happy Valley facing Penn State for the first time since 1998, a day which marked former Penn State head coach Joe Paterno’s 300th career victory. With both teams coming off convincing wins in Week 1, the Falcons and Nittany Lions were looking to keep up their positive momentum.
Here’s what went down:
- The Falcons received the opening kickoff after Penn State won the toss.
- Connor Bazelak completed four passes for 71 yards on the first drive, capping it off with a touchdown pass to Harold Fannin Jr. to put the Falcons up early. Jackson Kleather converted the PAT to make it 7-0.
- Penn State would answer with a six-play, 75 yard drive which saw Drew Allar call his own number to score. Sander Sahaydak converted the PAT to make it 7-7.
- Bowling Green would make a field goal on their next drive to make the score 10-7, then score again after forcing Penn State to punt. On the scoring drive, Bazelak threw a touchdown pass to Malcolm Johnson, Jr. to push the margin to would be 17-7 after the Kleather PAT.
- Penn State would respond with a 10-point run of their own, with an Allar to Omari Evans TD pass and a Sahaydak field goal from 43 yards out tying the game up at 17.
- Bowling Green would go back up after a 41-yard touchdown run by Jamal Johnson, but Sahaydak would kick a field goal to make it 24-20 BGSU at the half.
- After trading punts, Drew Allar would find Nicholas Singleton for a touchdown, cutting the BGSU lead down to just 27-24 after the Sahaydak PAT.
- Bowling Green’s Jacorey Benjamin would intercept Drew Allar at the end of the third quarter, but mistakenly took it out of the end zone. Bazelak would throw an interception with 6:36 left, but the defense would hold Penn State to a three-and-out, allowing the Falcons a mulligan.
- Bazelak threw a second interception in as many drives, and the Nittany Lions would score a rushing touchdown by Nicholas Singleton, putting the game at 34-24 Penn State.
- Jackson Kleather gave the Falcons hope with 47 seconds left to make it 34-27, but BGSU could not execute the onsides kick, allowing Penn State to survive.
Takeaways
Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Bowling Green
Bowling Green gave one heck of a show in the first half that no one who wasn’t on the roster might have expected. Scoring on four drives out of five in the first half, the offense seemed to click.
Connor Bazelak looked the best he’s ever been in the Orange and Brown in the first half, throwing for 192 yards and two touchdowns. Everyone wondered if Bowling Green would remain consistent on offense. Short answer: they wouldn’t.
The Falcons would score three points throughout the entire second half. Credit must be given to the offensive line, no sacks were allowed.
Terion Stewart was mysteriously out of the game. He wasn’t on the initial availability report, but he did not see a single snap. It was revealed by Coach Loeffler that he was not 100 percent healthy in media availability. Despite Stewart’s absence, the Falcons were able to get 121 rushing yards against Penn State’s defense with one touchdown.
Harold Fannin, Jr. had a career game on the national stage, with 11 receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown. He continues to play hard day in and day out.
Bowling Green’s defense made some timely plays in the second half keeping them in the game. Jacorey Benjamin earned Bowling Green’s first turnover of the year with the late third quarter interception.
The Falcons gave it one heck of an effort, and people took notice.
MACtion made the trip to Happy Valley and it did not disappoint.
Shoutout to Bowling Green for giving Penn State a challenge today.
— Zach Seyko (@zach_seyko) September 7, 2024
After the game, Connor Bazelak and Tom Allen, his former head coach at Indiana, shared a nice moment together.
Penn State DC Tom Allen holds a long embrace with Bowling Green QB Connor Bazelak, who used to play under Allen at Indiana.
Bazelak threw for 254 yards, two TDs and two INTs against the Nittany Lions pic.twitter.com/Nrfe5l6qeq
— Seth Engle (@bigsengtweets) September 7, 2024
Penn State
The Nittany Lions had a prime opportunity to start forcing more turnovers. While they forced two timely interceptions in the second half, that’s all they would get.
Penn State was able to run the ball again this week. Led by 119 yards from Nicholas Singleton, the Nittany Lions racked up 234 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Drew Allar threw for 204 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He also had a rushing touchdown in the first quarter.
Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Tyler Warren racked up 146 receiving yards, while Omari Evans and Singleton racked up one receiving touchdown each.
This game ultimately raised a lot of questions about Penn State after a dominating victory against West Virginia. Was Penn State really ready for this game? What does this mean for them going forward? How was Penn State exposed this much? Obviously it’s still early, but it’s something you have to think about.
Plays of the Game
The play of the game for the Falcons was the 41-yard rushing touchdown from Jamal Johnson to give the Falcons a 24-17 lead.
TOUCHDOWN!
Jamal Johnson punches it in from 41-yards out! Falcons back in front!
3:32 | 2Q
@BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/2FCJB2YNxl
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) September 7, 2024
Up Next
The Falcons have a bye week, before heading to College Station, Texas to play Texas A&M on September 21st at 7:30 pm Eastern.
Penn State will also have a bye week, before hosting Kent State on September 21st. Game time to be announced.