Bowling Green Falcons

Bowling Green opened 0-4 with a home loss to FCS Tarleton State and blowout defeats at Nebraska and Iowa State, but the Falcons have since won two of three, including a 24-20 road win at Miami (OH) and a 38-10 home victory over Sacramento State. At 2-5 overall and 2-0 in MAC play, they remain in the conference race despite a brutal non-conference slate.

The rebuilt offensive line, which lost all five starters from last season, struggled mightily against power-conference fronts, managing just 169 total yards at Nebraska. However, against MAC competition, the line has opened holes for Austyn Dendy, who rushed for 86 yards and two touchdowns against Sacramento State and scored the overtime touchdown against Ball State. The Falcons rushed for 218 yards and three touchdowns against the Hornets, showing the 62 percent run identity that was theoretical early in the season is becoming real.

The defensive backfield, led by safety Kal-El Pascal and cornerback JoJo Johnson, has been torched repeatedly. Tarleton State's Kaden Anderson threw for 206 yards and two scores, Nebraska's Anthony Colandrea tossed four first-half touchdowns, and Iowa State hung 55 points. Even in wins, opposing quarterbacks have moved the ball through the air. With limited depth beyond the starters, this unit is the team's biggest liability and will be tested weekly in MAC play.

Myles Bradley and Eriq George combined for nine sacks in 2025, and Dorian Pringle returned from injury as a playmaker, but the pass rush was inconsistent through the first month. The front six finally flipped a game against Sacramento State, forcing a fumble that D'kyah Banks returned for a touchdown. If Bradley, George, and Pringle can consistently win early downs and create havoc, they can mask the secondary's deficiencies and keep the Falcons in games.

Jay Kastantin has taken the majority of snaps and has shown poise, throwing for 305 yards and two touchdowns in the win at Miami (OH) and adding 215 yards and two scores against Ball State. However, he has also thrown interceptions and the offense has been prone to slow starts. With a run-heavy approach and a leaky defense, protecting the football and finishing drives will be critical in the remaining MAC schedule, where margins are thin.