In recent years, Bowling Green probably would have buckled under the pressure when things did not go as
planned in the fourth quarter.
Instead, the Falcons found a way to overcome 12 penalties for 89 yards in the game and a fourth-quarter
interception to hold for a 21-13 win over Idaho in their home opener. PHOTO GALLERY
The game was played before 16,591 fans at Perry Stadium Saturday night.
“It certainly wasn’t pretty. We’ve had a number of these games over the years that we didn’t find a way
to win,” said BG head coach Dave Clawson. “It was nice to find a way to gut out a game where maybe
you’re not playing your best football.
“There are a lot of things we’ve got to get cleaned up,” he continued. “We were just very undisciplined.
Our offensive line at times was almost dysfunctional.”
After the interception in the fourth quarter, Idaho put together a 78-yard scoring drive, taking only
2:15 off the clock to pull within 21-13.
The Falcons then were forced to punt on their next possession, giving the Vandals an opportunity to make
it interesting. Idaho had the ball with 3:41 remaining at its own 20-yard line.
However on the first play from scrimmage, BG linebacker Paul Swan stripped the ball away from Jahrie
Level after a completed pass and Aaron Foster recovered for the Falcons.
BG then ran the final 3:31 off the clock to preserve the victory.
“It was good to see him punch it out,” Clawson said about Swan’s play.
The BG defense also made two keys stops in the second quarter, holding the Vandals to two field goals.
Idaho had the ball inside the 10-yard line on both possessions, but the Falcons held both times.
“Our defense played really, really well and especially on some of those sudden changes,” Clawson said.
“Keeping them out of the end zone before the half was really big.
“Our defense battled. We’re getting better on defense,” he continued. “Those guys have worked hard and
it’s starting to pay off.”
“Every time you stop them in the red zone and hold them to three points, it’s awesome,” said BG senor
defensive tackle Chris Jones.
BG scored first on a 4-yard run by Anthon Samuel with 2:07 left in the first quarter. The drive was
jump-started by a 42-yard pass from Matt Schilz to Shaun Joplin.
Samuel also scored BG’s second TD on a 29-yard run with 3:46 left in the third quarter. Schilz was 6-of-7
for 78 yards on the drive and he also scrambled for 12 yards on a third-and-nine play. Chris Gallon
caught three passes on the drive for 51 yards, including a 37-yard reception.
The defense set up BG’s third score with a highlight film interception on Idaho’s possession after
Samuel’s second TD.
On a Dominique Blackman pass to Najee Lovett, BG’s Jude Adjei-Barimah tipped the intended pass to
teammate Darrell Hunter, who tipped the ball again to Adjei-Berimah, who tipped the ball into the air
again with Josh Pettus coming down with the interception.
“All those guys showed why they play on defense not offense,” Clawson said with a wry smile. “It was like
the ball was greased up or something.”
Three plays later, Schilz found Je’Ron Stokes for a 15-yard touchdown to push BG’s lead to 21-6.
“Those two turnovers in the fourth quarter, that’s the football game,” Clawson said about Foster’s fumble
recovery and Pettus’ interception.
“They really did a good job today and it really helped us and saved us from a loss,” Schilz said about
his defensive teammates.
BOWLING GREEN 21, IDAHO 13
Idaho
6
7
—
13
Bowling Green
7
14
—
21
First Quarter
BG—Samuel 4 run (Tate kick), 6:12. Drive: 5 plays, 67 yards, 2:07.
Second Quarter
Id—FG Farquhar 20, 1:48. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 6:03.
Id—FG Farquhar 22, :15. Drive: 5 plays, 27 yards, 0:56.
Third Quarter
BG—Samuel 29 run (Tate kick), 3:46. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:42.
BG—J.Stokes 15 pass from Schilz (Tate kick), 2:31. Drive: 3 plays, 28 yards, 0:53.
Fourth Quarter
Id—Major 16 pass from Blackman (Farquhar kick), 6:22. Drive: 7 plays, 78 yards, 2:15.
A—16,591
TEAM STATISTICS
Id
BG
First downs
17
18
By Rushing
2
7
By Passing
14
10
By Penalty
1
1
Rushes-yards
20-6
27-90
Passing
352
283
Comp-Att-Int
30-38-1
24-35-1
Avg. gain per play
6.2
6.0
Sacks-yards lost
4-29
3-20
Punts-Avg.
4-47.3
5-46.0
Punt returns
0-0
3-36
Kickoff returns
4-63
2-36
Fumbles-Lost
2-1
1-1
Penalties-Yards
10-83
12-89
3rd-down conversions
4-11
7-14
4th-down conversions
0-1
0-1
Red zone conversions
3-4
2-4
Time of Possession
31:23
28:37
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—Idaho, R.Bass 8-14, Baker 4-9, Blackman 8-(minus 17). Bowling Green, Samuel 14-67, Pettigrew
5-11, Tra.Greene 1-10, J.Martin 2-9, Team 1-(minus 2), Schilz 4-(minus 5).
PASSING—Idaho, Blackman 30-37-1-352, M.Scott 0-1-0-0. Bowling Green, Schilz 24-35-1-283.
RECEIVING—Idaho, Level 10-119, M.Scott 6-71, Veltung 3-44, R.Bass 3-21, LaGrone 2-28, Lovett 2-18, Runner
1-17, Major 1-16, Homme 1-13, Baker 1-5. Bowling Green, Joplin 7-117, Gallon 6-89, Bayer 3-32, Burbrink
3-15, Samuel 3-11, J.Stokes 1-15, J.Martin 1-4.