Scouting report: Bowling Green football at Minnesota
Sep. 23—BOWLING GREEN — Fresh off their first win in nearly two calendar years, Bowling Green State University travels to Minneapolis to oppose Big Ten foe Minnesota. BGSU is a 31-point underdog in its final test before Mid-American Conference play begins.
Let's see how the teams stack up.
When BGSU has the ball
Should we call it as it is? The Falcons are going to throw it and throw it often. Quarterback Matt McDonald has attempted 33 passes per game, and 97.2 percent of BGSU's total yards per game this season have come from the air.
The Falcons were able to run the ball more effectively against Murray State last week, with Jaison Patterson taking the lion's share of 14 carries and Nick Mosley following with nine. Mosley was the more efficient of the two runners, totaling 48 yards to Patterson's 35.
When Minnesota has the ball
The Golden Gophers have rushed for 218.3 yards per game this year. Much like last week against Murray State, BGSU will have to contain a potent ground attack. Minnesota ranks fourth in the Big Ten in rushing offense, and nine of 12 offensive TDs have come from rushing plays.
They lost All-Big Ten running back Mo Ibrahim for the season a couple of weeks ago to a leg injury, but their reserves have filled in smoothly in his absence. Trey Potts leads the backfield with 111 yards per game and five rushing TDs, and Mar'Keise "Bucky" Irving is the change-of-pace option with 15 carries for 92 yards in two games.
Quarterback Tanner Morgan has completed 55.9 percent of passes for 160.3 yards per game and three total TDs.
Special teams
BGSU place-kicker Nate Needham is 5-for-5 on field goals with a long of 50 yards, and three of his kicks have come from between 40 to 49 yards out. Matt Naranjo has punted 19 times, and seven of those landed within the 20-yard line.
Minnesota kicker Matthew Trickett is 3-for-5 on field goal attempts, and his longest was from 50 yards. Potts and Irving are the main kick returners. Irving has run two kicks back, including one for 41 yards. Punter Mark Crawford averages 40 yards per boot.
BGSU will win if...
The defense can get after the ball like it did in recent weeks and force turnovers.
Minnesota will win if...
Potts and Irving touch the football the most of anyone else in the game. Whether it be via the run or the pass, they are expected to be the best offensive playmakers on the field on Saturday.
View from the other side
Noel Thompson, contributor for GopherHole.com:
"The Gophers' biggest strength is their massive and experienced offensive line (average size is 6-foot-5 and 336 pounds). With Bowling Green giving up 177 rushing yards a game, Minnesota will definitely look to establish the run and control time of possession. That should keep Bowling Green's offense off the field. The Gopher defense has had its ups and downs so far this season, but had their best game last week shutting out Colorado. My prediction: Minnesota will win, but Bowling Green will cover the plus-31 spread. Minnesota 41, Bowling Green 13."
First Published September 23, 2021, 1:10pm
