Eagles Unable To Get Offense Moving In 24-3 Loss At Bowling Green

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team could not get the offense moving on Saturday, Oct. 27, at Bowling Green State University as the Eagles fell to the Falcons, 24-3. The loss drops the Eagles to 1-7 on the season and 0-4 in Mid-American Conference play, while the Falcons become bowl eligible moving to 6-3 overall and 4-1 in the MAC.

The Eagles offense that had been explosive over that past two weeks, putting up 1,201 yards against Toledo and Army, was held at bay by a stingy BG defense that came into this week with the best scoring, rushing, passing and total defense in the MAC, and only allowed the Eagles to gain 178 total yards of offense on the afternoon.

The Eagles were led by sophomore quarterback Tyler Benz (Park Ridge, Ill.-Main Township South) who went 11 of 24 for 114 yards, however had a fumble and an interception which led to seven BGSU points. Tight end Tyreese Russell (Chicago, Ill.-Walther Lutheran) led the Eagles in receiving with two receptions for 50 yards, while Bronson Hill (Grand Rapids, Mich.-Catholic Central) led EMU on the ground with 57 yards on 13 carries.

Ray Guy Award candidate Jay Karutz (North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia-Holy Cross College) had eight punts on the day, averaging 39.1 yards per attempt.

Defensively, Alex Bellfy (Brooklyn, Mich.-Lumen Christ) led the Eagles with 15 tackles alongside Andy Malumba (Montreal, Quebec, Canada-Vieux Montreal) who recorded two tackles for loss including a sack.

Bowling Green opened the scoring up on the opening drive of the game with a bit of trickery, as a lateral from Matt Schilz to Jordan Hopgood turned into a long pass when Hopgood connected with the wide-open Shaun Joplin for a 53-yard touchdown strike.

The Eagles answered on their second drive of the game as freshman Dylan Mulder (Saline, Mich.-Saline) connected on a career long 42-yard field goal with 5:17 remaining in the first quarter to cut into the BGSU lead at 7-3. Unfortunately for the Eagles it would be the closest that they would get on the day as it was their only scoring drive of the game.

Bowling Green built the lead up to 11 following a 27-yard run outside the tackles and up the left sideline by Andre Givens to give the Falcons a 14-3 lead that they would take into the half.

On the second Eagles possession of the second half, Tyler Benz fumbled when Gabe Martin came from the secondary and Chris Jones scooped it up from 23 yards out and ran it in for the touchdown to give the Falcons a 21-3 lead.

With 12:01 remaining in the BG kicker Tyler Tate knocked a 28-yard field goal through the uprights to extend the BG lead to 24-3 to close out the scoring.

The Falcons defense finished the game having not allowed a touchdown over the last nine quarters of play.

The Eagles will have a quick turnaround, as Head Coach Ron English and his team will head to Athens, Ohio, to play the Ohio Bobcats on Thursday, November 1 at 6 p.m. which can be seen on ESPNU.

Eagles Unable To Get Offense Moving In 24-3 Loss At Bowling Green

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Tyler Benz

Eastern Michigan Athletics