Revisit how we analyzed Bowling Green’s loss at Texas A&M as it unfolded

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Here was our quarter-by-quarter analysis as the action happened in Saturday’s Bowling Green loss at Texas A&M.

Real-time team stats can be found at the bottom of the article.

FIRST QUARTER

■ What happened : Texas A&M struck first with an opening-possession touchdown in taking the lead over BGSU.

Quarterback Marcel Reed found Theo Melin Ohrstrom over the middle for a 27-yard touchdown to give the Aggies a 7-0 lead over BGSU with 10:04 left.

BGSU’s defense, though, held strong the rest of the frame in forcing a pair of three-and-outs on Texas A&M’s next two possessions. The Aggies were pinned deep in their own territory both times after excellent punts from John Henderson.

BGSU had 56 yards of offense, with running back Terion Stewart tallying 39 rushing yards on six carries.

■ Analysis : Special teams has benefitted BGSU in the early going, and the defense has responded after a 75-yard opening scoring drive from the Aggies. The Falcons allowed their first sack of the year, though, and standout tight end Harold Fannin, Jr., has no receptions on just one target. Nevertheless, a solid start overall from BGSU.

SECOND QUARTER

■ What happened: BGSU’s defense continued to keep the Falcons close as Texas A&M took a 10-point halftime lead.

BGSU’s Jackson Kleather connected on a 33-yard field goal to pull BGSU within 7-3 with 12:35 left in the second quarter. Texas A&M’s Randy Bond converted from 28 yards out with 10:17 left and from 29 with two seconds remaining as well.

Meanwhile, BGSU’s offense drove into Texas A&M territory on each of its four possessions in the first half, but only has three points to show for it. Texas A&M has a 197-102 advantage in total yards and is 5 of 11 on third downs compared to BGSU’s 1 of 5.

■ Analysis : The Falcons’ defense and special teams are certainly keeping them in the game, but can they continue it for another half? Penalties have been costly at key moments for BGSU’s offense — a holding penalty negated a Harold Fannin, Jr. touchdown reception in the second quarter — and quarterback Connor Bazelak is just 6 of 11 for 50 yards passing.

THIRD QUARTER

■ What happened: A pair of big plays offensively for BGSU highlighted a wild third quarter as the Falcons pulled with three.

On the first play of the frame, Connor Bazelak found a wide-open Harold Fannin, Jr., who made an over-the-shoulder catch, juked out a Texas A&M defender on two occasions, and scored on a 65-yard touchdown reception to pull the Falcons within 13-10.

After Texas A&M responded with a Marcel Reed 5-yard touchdown pass to Jahdae Walker, BGSU used some trickery to find the end zone again. Backup quarterback Lucian Anderson III handed the ball of to Terion Stewart, who pitched it back to Rahkeem Smith on a reverse. Anderson threw a key block down the left sideline and Smith scored from 40 yards out to pull the Falcons within 20-17 with 5:24 left.

BGSU forced a three-and-out, and Trey Johnson blocked the punt from the Aggies’ Tyler White to set up first-and-goal from the 8. The Falcons, though, couldn’t capitalize as Jackson Kleather missed a 28-yard field goal wide right.

■ Analysis : BGSU’s offense came to life with some huge plays, but the missed opportunity off the blocked punt might come back to cost the Falcons. BGSU, though, is another big play or two away from possibly pulling off the upset.

FOURTH QUARTER

■ What happened: Texas A&M’s 12-play, 64-yard field goal drive spanned into the fourth quarter to go ahead 23-17 with 12:56 remaining. Randy Bond, who had just kicked the 34-yarder for the Aggies, added a 42-yarder a little over 5 minutes later.

Bowling Green’s Jackson Kleather made a 23-yard field goal with 38 seconds left, but Texas A&M recovered the ensuing onside kick to seal the win.

Analysis: Another remarkable effort from BGSU against a ranked opponent came up just short. The Falcons have shown a lot of positive signs in their matchups against Penn State and Texas A&M the past two games, and they will have one more nonconference tuneup against Old Dominion before starting Mid-American Conference play.