Tag: Bowling Green

Louisville Cardinals running back Keyjuan Brown (22) lunges towards the endzone for a Cardinals touchdown in the first quarter against Bowling Green at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky Sept. 20, 2025.

Louisville showcases depth in victory over Bowling Green

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Miller Moss threw for 316 yards to lead a short-handed Louisville Cardinals squad past visiting Bowling Green 40-17 on Saturday.

The senior quarterback was among those who stepped up for the Cardinals (3-0). It was announced at kickoff that Isaac Brown, the team’s leading running back, was limited in practice during the week and Duke Watson, Brown’s backup, would not likely play against the Falcons (2-2). The signal caller completed nine of his first 10 passes for 141 yards. Two of those went to Dacari Collins for 68 yards.

Running back Keyjuan Brown, Louisville’s third-stringer, had a pair of 2-yard touchdowns in the first half and rushed for 83 yards overall. Caullin Lacy returned a punt 75 yards for a score to make it 21-3 with 8:13 remaining in the first half, acquitting himself for a muffed punt return in the first quarter that led to a 3-0 Falcons lead on a 49-yard Jackson Kleather field goal.

Lacy also caught eight passes for 96 yards. With the punt return score, he became the first in Louisville history to have two returns for touchdowns that went for at least 75 yards in a single season.

Meanwhile, a Louisville defense that was without starting linebacker Stanquan Clark, who suffered a leg injury against James Madison two weeks ago, held Falcons quarterback Drew Pyne to 131 yards passing. The former Notre Dame starter completed 12 of 22 passes with two first-half interceptions and a fourth-quarter touchdown.

Bowling Green was able to get into the end zone in the fourth quarter. Backup quarterback Lucian Anderson III ran for a 75-yard touchdown, and Pyne threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Harris.

Louisville kicker Cooper Ranvier converted three field goals. Backup Nick Keller stepped in to hit a 57-yarder that was a school record at L&N Federal Credit Union Cardinal Stadium.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby (2) throws a pass in the first quarter of the NCAA football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Bowling Green Falcons at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Sept. 6, 2025.

Brendan Sorsby throws for 3 touchdowns as Cincinnati beats Bowling Green

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Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby threw for three touchdowns and 333 yards in a 34-20 home win over Bowling Green on Saturday afternoon.

Sorsby came out taking shots early and often Saturday, connecting with wide receiver Cyrus Allen on a 44-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter. It was the first of three touchdown passes in a span of four Bearcats drives.

A week after throwing for just 69 yards against Nebraska, Sorsby had 57 yards through the first quarter and 189 at halftime.

Two Bearcats, wide receiver Jeff Caldwell and tight end Joe Royer, both had over 100 receiving yards in the game. Caldwell scored on a nine-yard touchdown reception midway through the second quarter, which was set up by a career-long 73-yard reception from Royer.

Bowling Green made the game interesting after falling behind 21-0 in the second quarter. Quarterback Drew Pyne completed over 80 percent of his passes for 274 yards and a touchdown to draw the Falcons within 14 points three times in the second half.

Three different Falcons had five-plus receptions, with tight end Jyrin Johnson leading the way with a team-high seven receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown.

The Falcons, though, were held in check on the ground, rushing for just 98 yards on 34 carries.

Despite rushing for just 106 yards themselves and losing the possession battle by nearly 15 minutes, the Bearcats won by two scores thanks to their passing game and explosive playmaking.

In addition, they got off the field on third down when they needed to and didn’t face too many third downs themselves. The Bearcats held Bowling Green to 6-16 on third down while only facing seven third downs.

This is the Bearcats’ first time beating Bowling Green in program history, breaking a four-game losing streak against the Falcons. Saturday was the first matchup between the two programs since 1994.

Cincinnati is home again next Saturday against Northwestern State. Bowling Green is home to Liberty next Saturday.

–Field Level Media

Nov 9, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Pyne (6) drops back to pass during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Report: QB Drew Pyne heading to Bowling Green, his fourth school

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Quarterback Drew Pyne will make Bowling Green his fourth Division I school, he told ESPN on Monday.

Coming out of high school in Connecticut, Pyne was listed as a four-star prospect and the No. 8 pro-style quarterback in the Class of 2020 by the 247Sports composite. He committed to Notre Dame out of high school.

Pyne, 24, spent three seasons (2020-22) with the Fighting Irish, then transferred to Arizona State in 2023 and to Missouri in 2024.

Overall, he’s appeared in 25 games, thrown for 2,921 yards and has 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He is 9-3 as a starter, and Bowling Green has an opening for a starter.

He visited Bowling Green and new coach Eddie George over the weekend.

“The opportunity to go play for Eddie George, a returning offensive line that’s strong and experienced,” Pyne told ESPN about what drew him to the Falcons. “And a team that’s very good, played in three straight bowl games and can compete for a championship.”

Former coach Scot Loeffler joined the coaching staff of the Philadelphia Eagles, leaving the opening for George, formerly the head coach at Tennessee State. George and offensive coordinator Travis Partridge run a spread-style offense.
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“The sell was the team is very gritty, works hard and wants to win games,” Pyne said.

Pyne, a graduate transfer, entered the portal last week and cannot take part in spring practice with Bowling Green because he already has done so with Missouri. ESPN said he will enroll at his new school on May 18 with two years of eligibility remaining.

–Field Level Media

Jan 30, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Former NFL player Eddie George signs a football for the fans during the second half of the game between the East and the West at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Report: Eddie George agrees to become Bowling Green’s coach

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Former Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George is heading back to Ohio after agreeing to a five-year contract to become the head coach at Bowling Green, ESPN reported on Sunday.

George, 51, has posted a 24-22 record over the past four seasons as the head coach at FCS Tennessee State. He led the Tigers to a share of the OVC-Big South title in the 2024 season following a 9-4 record, marking the school’s first league title in football since 1999.

George was named Big South/OVC coach of the year and was the runner-up for the Eddie Robinson national coach of the year.

George replaces Scot Loeffler, who resigned from Bowling Green to become quarterbacks coach of the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on Feb. 28. The Falcons were 7-6 in 2024 and 27-41 with three bowl game appearances during Loeffler’s six seasons with the team.

George will return to the Buckeye State, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1995 with Ohio State.

George continued his success in the NFL, becoming the Tennessee Titans’ franchise leading rusher with 10,009 yards.

A four-time Pro Bowl selection, George rushed for 10,441 yards and 68 touchdowns in 141 career games (136 starts) with the Houston Oilers/Titans (1996-2003) and Dallas Cowboys (2004).

–Field Level Media

Arkansas State Red Wolves quarterback Jaylen Raynor (1) warms up before Arkansas State Red Wolves take on the Northern Illinois Huskies during the Camellia Bowl at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023.

Arkansas State outguns Bowling Green to take 68 Ventures Bowl

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Jaylen Raynor completed 18 of 30 passes for 221 yards and two touchdown connections to Corey Rucker as Arkansas State fended off Bowling Green 38-31 to win the 68 Ventures Bowl on Thursday night in Mobile, Ala.

Rucker finished with four catches for 107 yards and Zak Wallace rushed 15 times for 99 yards and a score for the Red Wolves (8-5), who earned their first bowl win since 2019. Courtney Jackson returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown.

Connor Bazelak went 32-for-49 passing for a season-high 390 yards and three touchdowns for Bowling Green (7-6), which lost a bowl game for the third year running.

Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. finished with career highs of 17 receptions and 213 yards with a touchdown, and he broke two major FBS records along the way.

Fannin set the single-season tight end records for receiving yards (previously held by Jace Amaro, 1,352 for Texas Tech in 2013) and receptions (previously James Casey, 111 for Rice in 2008). Fannin ended his season with 117 receptions for 1,555 yards.

Bowling Green trailed 24-21 at halftime and received the ball to start the second half. However, on the first play from scrimmage, Terion Stewart was stripped of the ball and Arkansas State’s Noah Collins recovered. Raynor threw his second touchdown to Rucker, this one from 6 yards out, for a 10-point Red Wolves lead.

The Falcons cut it to seven before the end of the third, but their next three drives ended in a turnover on downs, a missed field goal and a punt.

Arkansas State turned to Wallace to close the game. He gained 59 yards on six straight rushes, the final of which was a 14-yard touchdown with 3:10 to go.

Wallace’s insurance score was crucial, as Bowling Green scored late on Bazelak’s 23-yard pass to Rahkeem Smith (seven catches, 97 yards).

The Red Wolves held an early 10-0 lead after Jackson broke down the left side on his punt return TD less than seven minutes into the game.

Bowling Green got revenge on its second possession when it had backup QB Baron May disguise himself as the punter. May tossed a 43-yard touchdown pass to Malcolm Johnson Jr.

Raynor’s 5-yard TD run put Arkansas State ahead 17-7. Bazelak responded with 6:46 left in the second quarter, hitting Jaison Patterson for an 8-yard score.

Raynor hit Rucker over the top for a 79-yard catch-and-run score, punctuating a 93-yard drive.

The Falcons drove to the 4-yard line, and Bazelak threw to the end zone with 1:36 left. His pass went in and out of a defender’s hands, and Fannin caught it as he fell to the ground.

–Field Level Media

Bowling Green Falcons tight end Harold Fannin Jr (0) makes a touchdown catch during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

‘Dark era’ over, Bowling Green sizes up Arkansas State in 68 Ventures Bowl

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Bowling Green coach Scot Loeffler is happy for the seniors on his roster who persevered through what he called the program’s “dark era.”

The Falcons’ senior class would love nothing more than to go out with a win in the 68 Ventures Bowl against Arkansas State on Thursday in Mobile, Ala.

Bowling Green (7-5) last won a bowl game in 2014. The program suffered seven straight losing seasons from 2016-22, exceeding four wins just once before its recent turnaround.

“I’m super proud of the guys that have been part of this program for four, five and six years,” Loeffler said, per the Toledo Blade. “They were part of the dark era, as I would say, and they really have made this place a competitive, hard-working, do-right program.”

One subplot is star tight end Harold Fannin Jr.’s pursuit of multiple FBS records.

Fannin enters the bowl game with 100 receptions for 1,342 yards and nine touchdowns. If he gains just 11 yards against Arkansas State, Fannin will break Jace Amaro’s single-season record for tight ends set in 2013. Fannin is also 12 catches away from setting the single-season receptions record at the position (James Casey, 111, 2008).

Fannin was the first tight end in FBS history to be named a conference’s player of the year when the Mid-American Conference gave him the honor.

“He’s phenomenal. Phenomenal athlete, really good guy, too,” Falcons linebacker Brock Horne said. “… Obviously, he helped out the team a ton, and just looking forward to him putting the orange and brown on one more time and having a good bowl game.”

“He needs to go to the National Football League as fast as he can,” Loeffler added.

Arkansas State (7-5) won four of its final six games in the regular season to join the ranks of the bowl-eligible. The Red Wolves’ last winning season was 2019, which was capped off by their most recent bowl win.

It’s been their best showing under coaching veteran Butch Jones, who’s led Cincinnati and Tennessee to bowl victories before.

“We have to be better than we were (at Monday’s practice) from a fundamental execution standpoint, from a habit standpoint,” Jones said. “All that goes into playing winning football. But I like our mindset so far.”

Arkansas State’s Jaylen Raynor threw for 2,562 yards with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Zak Wallace led a multipronged rushing attack with 622 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The greater concern is the Red Wolves’ defense, which allowed 32.3 points per game and 460.7 yards per game, the latter ranking sixth-to-worst in FBS.

“Obviously we’ve been decimated up front in the defensive line with some season-ending injuries,” Jones said. “But right now, we’re as healthy as we can possibly be since going through a long season.”

Bowling Green, conversely, allowed just 20.3 points per game.

Falcons quarterback Connor Bazelak passed for 2,654 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. Terion Stewart led the ground game with 890 yards and six scores.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) looks to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Bowling Green Falcons at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images.

No. 25 Texas A&M fends off Bowling Green 26-20

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Marcel Reed threw two touchdown passes and Randy Bond kicked four field goals as No. 25 Texas A&M held on for a 26-20 victory over pesky Bowling Green on Saturday night in College Station.

Making his second straight start in place of Connor Weigman, who is dealing with a right AC sprain, Reed was even more effective than he was in last week’s win at Florida.

Reed completed 16 of 29 passes for 173 yards and effectively moved the offense as Texas A&M (3-1) converted 21 first downs and never trailed.

Reed threw a 27-yard TD to Theo Melin Ohrstrom about five minutes into the game and connected with Jahdae Walker on a 5-yard score with 10:43 left in the third.

Reed also gained a career-high 91 yards on the ground as the Aggies totaled 235 rushing yards after averaging 263 through their first three games.

After missing two field goals in four tries last week, Bond converted from 28 and 29 yards in the second quarter. He also kicked field goals of 34 and 42 yards in the fourth quarter after Texas A&M allowed Bowling Green (1-2) to get within 20-17.

Bowling Green’s Connor Bazelak completed 20 of 36 passes for 250 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Harold Fannin Jr. finished with eight receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown for the Falcons, who gave Penn State trouble two weeks ago.
The Aggies took a 13-3 lead by halftime, but Fannin’s 65-yard reception on Bowling Green’s first play of the second half made it a three-point game. Walker’s TD made it 20-10, and the Aggies came up with a big defensive stand in the third after Rahkeem Smith’s 40-yard TD run got Bowling Green within 20-17 with 5:24 left.

With 2:56 left, Bowling Green’s Trey Johnson recovered a blocked punt, but Jackson Klather’s 28-yard field goal try sailed wide right.

The Aggies appeared to clinch the win when Marcus Ratcliffe intercepted Bazelak with 1:41 remaining. Five seconds later Moss fumbled and Kleather hit a 23-yard field goal with 38 seconds left but the Aggies recovered an onside kick to seal the win.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) rushes for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Bowling Green Falcons at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Drew Allar paces No. 8 Penn State past Bowling Green

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Drew Allar threw for two touchdowns and ran for another as No. 8 Penn State rallied in the second half to a 34-27 win over Bowling Green on Saturday in State College, Pa.

Allar completed 13 of 20 passes for 204 yards with an interception. He gave the Nittany Lions (2-0) a 27-24 lead with 6:13 left in the third quarter on a 14-yard scoring strike to Nicholas Singleton.

Singleton added the clinching touchdown with 4:09 left in the fourth quarter on a 41-yard touchdown run, the highlight of his 119-yard effort in 13 carries.

Connor Bazelak completed 25 of 39 passes for 254 yards with two scores and two interceptions for the Falcons (1-1). They rolled up 286 yards in the first half but managed just 88 after halftime.

Jackson Kleather nailed a 42-yard field goal with 47 seconds remaining in the game to draw Bowling Green within seven points. But Penn State recovered an onside kick and ran out the clock.

Penn State came into the game as a whopping 34-point favorite but Bazelak and Bowling Green served immediate notice that this would not be an easy tuneup. The Falcons scored the first three times they touched the ball.

Bazelak hit Harold Fannin Jr. for a 6-yard touchdown just 2:21 into the game, then led a drive of nearly 5 1/2 minutes that resulted in a 33-yard field goal from Kleather. When Bazelak found Malcolm Johnson Jr. for a 15-yard score at the 12:48 mark of the second quarter, the Falcons led 17-7.

Allar, who rushed for a 5-yard touchdown on the Nittany Lions’ first possession, connected with Omari Evans for a 29-yard strike to make it 17-14 with 11:48 remaining. Penn State tied it with a 43-yard field goal by Sander Sahaydak with 5:28 left.

But Bowling Green regained the lead less than two minutes later on a 41-yard run by Jamal Johnson. Sahaydak hit from 28 with 14 seconds on the clock but the Falcons took a stunning 24-20 edge into halftime.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Zane Durant (28) celebrates after a stop during the third quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

No. 8 Penn State, proud of improved defense, faces Bowling Green

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Much was made of the improved big-play capability of No. 8 Penn State on offense last week in its season-opening 34-12 win at West Virginia.

But coach James Franklin noted that the Nittany Lions, who host Bowling Green on Saturday in State College, Pa., weren’t too shabby on defense.

“No one is talking about our defense and our defense played really well,” he said Monday. “Better in points per possession, better in explosive plays. Better in total yards allowed, better in rushing yards allowed. Our defense played better, and they played better on the road.”

Penn State won’t have to worry about the road for a while, either. This game starts a stretch of four in a row at home. With a bye week tossed in next week, the Nittany Lions won’t have to travel again until an Oct. 12 trip to Southern California.

Their defense allowed only 246 total yards at West Virginia, including just 85 on the ground, and forced three turnovers. Teamed with an offense that rolled up 457 total yards and created four plays of at least 40 yards, it led to one of the more impressive wins of the opening week.

Quarterback Drew Allar was 11-of-17 passing for 216 yards and three touchdowns — all in the second quarter. Harrison Wallace caught five passes for 117 yards and two scores, including a 50-yarder on the first play of the second quarter and an 18-yarder with six seconds remaining in the first half for a 20-6 lead at intermission.

“We were very intentional on growing that and developing that,” Allar said of the increase in big plays. “It’s fun to be in a system like that, for sure. We really prepared well throughout the week as an offense.”

It wasn’t all passing, though. Penn State also got 114 rushing yards from Nick Singleton, including a 40-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter after a lightning delay of more than two hours.

Meanwhile, Bowling Green also cruised in its season opener on Aug. 29, drilling FCS opponent Fordham 41-17. Justin Pegues returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and Terion Stewart rushed for 161 yards and three scores, including a 73-yarder in the fourth quarter.

The Falcons also got 168 passing yards from Connor Bazelak, who added a rushing touchdown. Bazelak, who previously played at Missouri and Indiana, has thrown for 9,473 yards in his career and will be starting his 42nd career game on Saturday.

Bowling Green coach Scot Loeffler said his team will be challenged to communicate in front of a big crowd at Beaver Stadium.

“We got to be on point,” Loeffler said. “We got to know exactly what to do because it’s hard to hear. It is a loud place; the student section will be rocking and rolling. There’s a lot of challenge to it. There’ll be an unbelievable amount of people when you’re just warming up.”

The Falcons have lost both previous matchups with the Nittany Lions, with the last meeting coming in 1998, when Penn State cruised to a 48-3 victory.

–Field Level Media

Dec 26, 2023; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Darius Taylor (1) runs the ball against the Bowling Green Falcons in the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Quick Lane Bowl: Darius Taylor runs wild as Minnesota beats Bowling Green

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Darius Taylor had 35 carries for 208 yards and a touchdown, and Minnesota held on for a 30-24 win over Bowling Green in the Quick Lane Bowl on Tuesday afternoon in Detroit.

Cole Kramer passed for two touchdowns and rushed for one more for Minnesota (6-7), which won its seventh straight bowl game. Elijah Spencer and Jameson Geers had one touchdown catch apiece.

Connor Bazelak passed for 221 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another score for Bowling Green (7-6). Odieu Hiliare had 10 catches for 152 yards and a touchdown, and PaSean Wimberly led the way on the ground with 63 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Kramer won in unlikely fashion in an unexpected start. He completed 8 of 16 passes for only 26 yards as the replacement for season-long starter Athan Kaliakmanis, who entered the transfer portal last month.

The Golden Gophers pulled ahead for good with two touchdowns in the third quarter.

Kramer delivered the go-ahead score on a 1-yard quarterback keeper with 9:20 to go in the third quarter. That gave Minnesota a 16-10 edge.

On the Golden Gophers’ next drive, Kramer came through with his arm. He threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Geers to increase Minnesota’s lead to 23-10.

Bowling Green cut the deficit to 23-17 with 11:10 remaining in the fourth quarter. Wimberly took the handoff on a jet sweep and raced down the right sideline for an 18-yard score.

Minnesota answered with a touchdown on its next drive to grab a 30-17 lead. Taylor added to his dominant day with a 17-yard rushing score.

Bazelak brought the Falcons within 30-24 with 2:33 to go. He stretched across the goal line for a 2-yard rushing touchdown.

Minnesota recovered the onside kick moments later.

Bowling Green opened the scoring with a big play on its first possession. Bazelak launched a deep pass down the middle of the field and found Hiliare for a 46-yard touchdown.

Minnesota pulled within 7-6 midway through the first quarter. Spencer hauled in a 4-yard touchdown pass, but the Golden Gophers’ two-point conversion attempt failed moments later.

A 31-yard field goal by Dragan Kesich gave Minnesota a 9-7 lead early in the second quarter.

Bowling Green regained a 10-9 advantage with 1:38 remaining before halftime when Alan Anaya made a 33-yard field goal.

–Field Level Media