University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
2-2 , 0-1
Bowling Green
2-2 , 0-0
Gophers Fall on Homecoming to Bowling Green 14-10
9/25/2021 2:51:00 PM | Football
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Quarterback Matt McDonald ran for a pair of scores, and two late interceptions by the Bowling Green defense sealed the win as the Falcons defeated Minnesota, 14-10, on homecoming Saturday.
The loss snapped Minnesota's streak of 21 straight non-conference wins, the longest streak in the country entering Saturday's game. The Gophers' last non-conference loss was Sept. 3, 2015 against TCU.
It also marked Minnesota's first loss to a non-Power 5 conference opponent since losing to North Dakota State on Sept. 24, 2011.
The Gophers had the ball with a chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter after Bowling Green failed to fall on a muffed punt by Minnesota's Trey Potts. But one play after recovering the fumble, quarterback Tanner Morgan lofted a deep interception into the hands of Devin Taylor with 2:13 remaining. Morgan threw another pick with 17 seconds remaining.
The Gophers' passing game struggled all day against the Falcons. Morgan was just 5-of-13 for 59 yards.
McDonald scored on runs of one and three yards. He was 19-of-35 for 170 yards through the air.
Minnesota's lone touchdown came on a 19-yard scramble by backup quarterback Cole Kramer.
THE TAKEAWAY
Bowling Green: This was a huge boost for a Bowling Green team that had lost two of its first three games. Few people gave the Falcons a chance in this one, especially after an impressive 30-0 win for Minnesota last weekend against Colorado. But the Falcons never trailed by more than three and took advantage of the Gophers' mistakes. The ground game remains an issue — just 22 rushing yards for Bowling Green — but the defense held its own against Minnesota.
Minnesota: There were miscues galore for the Gophers in Saturday's loss. Minnesota was stuffed on a 4th-and-1 attempt that led to a Bowling Green touchdown. Morgan lost a fumble after an 18-yard run. A roughing the kicker penalty on a Bowling Green punt in the fourth quarter gave the Falcons new life. Those types of mistakes can't happen in a game where Minnesota was favored by more than 30 points.
UP NEXT
Bowling Green: The Falcons take on Kent State on the road on Oct. 2.
Minnesota: The Gophers head on the road to face Purdue on Oct. 2.
Team Stats
BGS 0, UMN 3
UMN - Trickett,Matthew 36 yd field goal 4 plays, 5 yards, TOP 01:25
BGS 7, UMN 3
BGS - McDonald,Matt 1 yd run (Needham,Nate kick), 4 plays, 24 yards, TOP 01:59
BGS 7, UMN 10
UMN - Kramer,Cole 19 yd run (Trickett,Matthew kick), 7 plays, 57 yards, TOP 04:00
BGS 14, UMN 10
BGS - McDonald,Matt 3 yd run (Needham,Nate kick), 8 plays, 65 yards, TOP 04:00
