USD upsets Bowling Green 35-27
USD upset Bowling Green 35-27 in Ohio Saturday.
Bowling Green, an FBS team, couldn’t handle senior quarterback Chris Streveler, who accounted for four touchdowns against the Falcon defense.
The Falcons had trouble finding the end zone in the first half, and scored three field goals.
Scoring was opened by a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Streveler. The score capped off the Coyotes’ opening drive that started at their own 1-yard line.
Bowling Green kicked a field goal before Streveler threw a 72-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kody Case, who out-ran the Falcon’s secondary for a 14-3 lead. The play was the longest of the game for both sides.
Before the first quarter ended, Streveler ran in another 2-yard run, which brought the score to 21-3.
Bowling Green kicker Jake Suder then added two more field goals.
Just before the half, senior defensive back Dough Lewis intercepted a rushed pass from quarterback James Morgan and stopped the Falcon’s scoring threat.
After the half, Streveler scored on the ground again, this time from four yards out.
The Falcons answered Morgan with a 9-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Teo Redding, which brought the score to 28-16.
In the fourth quarter, Bowling Green added a field goal, closing the gap, 28-19.
Junior running back Michael Fredrick joined in the scoring, with a 17-yard run, which gave the Coyotes some breathing room with less than 10 minutes left in the game.
Morgan tossed a 20-yard touchdown to Scott Miller with 2:04 left in the game. The Falcons converted the 2-point try, which made the game a one-score affair, 35-27.
The Falcons tried an onside kick, but kicker Nick Fields put too much power behind the kick, and it was recovered by quarterback Austin Simmons.
With Bowling Green out of timeouts, Streveler took three knees to end the game.
Streveler went 19-13, passing for 306 yards and a touchdown. He also led the Coyotes in rushing, with 119 net yards and three touchdowns.
Case had 130 receiving yards and a score. He also had a 72-yard reception, which was the longest play of the game.
Junior linebacker Alex Coker led the defense in tackles.
USD will host the University of North Dakota (UND) next Saturday in their home opener. UND is 1-1 on the season and are coming off of a shutout win over Missouri State, 34-0. When the two met last year, UND beat the Coyotes 47-44 in double overtime.
The kickoff is at 2 p.m. at the DakotaDome.
