2025 MAC Soccer Week 2 Sport Preview: Bowling Inexperienced Falcons at Cincinnati Bearcats – Hustle Belt

After defeating Lafayette, the Falcons face off in opposition to Cincinnati for the primary time since 1994.
The primary recreation of the Eddie George period couldn’t have gone a lot better for Bowling Inexperienced followers, because the homestanding Falcons rode the wave of momentum to a 1-0 begin in entrance of a packed Doyt Perry Stadium by dispatching FCS foe Lafayette in a pole-to-pole victory.
The Bearcats, however, suffered a humiliating loss in entrance of a sold-out crowd at Arrowhead Stadium, because the Kelce-Swift whirlwind added an sudden electrical energy to Cincinnati’s recreation in opposition to Nebraska. Cincy regarded off-kilter all recreation, however had a shot at a win at recreation’s finish earlier than tossing a brutal interception to seal defeat.
There’s lots using on this recreation for either side. A second win for the Falcons can be an announcement for a BGSU program which has invested lots of sources within the offseason to be a MAC title competitor. A loss for Cincy would imply a take a look at the state of this system, which has reeled for the reason that departure of Luke Fickell; a win would imply combating for an additional day on the march to a bowl bid in a ferocious Massive XII.
What ought to we anticipate to see?
The Falcons look to stay undefeated of their matchup with Cincinnati, profitable all 4 conferences on the gridiron from 1990-94. Coming off a great displaying in opposition to the Lafayette Leopards, the Falcons will face their first FBS opponent below Eddie George.
Drew Pyne didn’t present a lot within the final recreation, ending with 109 passing yards, however contemplating the success that they had in different areas and the opponent in entrance of them, there wasn’t lots of want for Pyne, the previous Notre Dame starter, to hold the load. There have been some good passes thrown within the final recreation, however not sufficient to say the Falcons are the place they need to be passing the ball.
5 totally different working backs touched the ball for the Falcons final week. The vast majority of snaps had been performed by Kaderris Roberts and Chris McMillian, who each mixed for 111 yards on 26 carries. We is perhaps witnessing a two-back system for the Falcons this yr with each of them, until one outperforms the opposite.
Bowling Inexperienced’s linebackers are the group to look at this yr on protection. Gideon Lampron and Dorian Pringle every ended with 9 complete tackles and half-sacks in opposition to the Leopards, bringing a sure aggressiveness that the Falcons wanted.
The particular groups unit regarded excellent final week, with Cameron Pettaway taking the opening kick to the home. MAC Particular Groups Participant of the Week Jackson Kleather went 4-for-4 on area targets, together with a profession lengthy of 56 yards. John Henderson averaged 46.3 yards/punt, with two punts touchdown contained in the 20-yard line.
The Bearcats are contemporary off their loss in opposition to Nebraska at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas Metropolis. The Bearcats acquired to the Nebraska 33-yard line on their closing drive, however a expensive interception with 34 seconds left finally sealed their 0-1 begin.
Quarterback Brendan Sorsby was quiet passing the ball final week, going 13-of-25 for 69 yards. He did excel working the ball with 96 yards, accounting for each of Cincinnati’s touchdowns and half of their dashing yards. Sorsby will certainly be on the radar for the Falcons as the primary man to look at.
When Sorsby isn’t working the ball, Tawee Walker and Evan Pryor are the names sharing the working duties. Walker transferred in from Wisconsin, the place he had 864 yards and ten touchdowns on 190 carries. Pryor has been at Cincinnati for 2 seasons and had 418 yards and 6 touchdowns on 56 carries final yr.
Cyrus Allen is unquestionably a receiver to look at, though he was stored quiet in opposition to Nebraska. Allen was at Texas A&M, and performed in solely eight video games. His greatest season was in 2023 at Louisiana Tech, catching 46 passes for 778 yards, and he has an explosiveness that shouldn’t go unnoticed. One other identify to be careful for is Joe Royer. At 6-foot-5 and 250 kilos, Royer can catch and block at a really excessive stage.
Defensively, the Falcons want to look at lineman Dontay Corleone, and linebacker Jake Golday. Corleone is on the shorter aspect for a defensive lineman, however when he’s wholesome, he can use that to his benefit. He’s averaged just a little over three sacks per season, and he could have a great probability to try this at present. Golday, with 12 tackles thus far, leads a linebacker corps that should discover their id for the season forward.
Bowling Inexperienced must get their passing recreation working. They relied on the run to the purpose the place they stalled on some drives final week. The Falcons might want to cease the run as effectively, because the Bearcats racked up over 200 dashing yards in opposition to Nebraska.
Cincinnati has to win this recreation to get any momentum. They should achieve extra confidence after enjoying for the win final week. If the Bearcats lose, the already sizzling seat for Scott Satterfield (for many followers) could also be turned on to excessive.
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