Game day preview: Fordham at BGSU football

BOWLING GREEN — Bowling Green State University’s 2024 season begins with its first meeting against FCS opponent Fordham.

BASICS

■ Who: Fordham (0-0) at BGSU (0-0)

■ When: Thursday, 7 p.m.

■ Where: Doyt Perry Stadium, Bowling Green

■ Spread: Bowling Green by 16½

■ TV: ESPN+

■ Radio: 100.7 (Toledo), 99.1 (Fremont)

■ Follow: Michael Burwell

PLAYERS TO WATCH

■ Fordham: Junior quarterback C.J. Montes had a remarkably productive campaign in his first year with Fordham after transferring from New Mexico. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound signal caller threw for 3,000 yards, 26 touchdowns, and just one interception while completing 64 percent (241 of 376) of his passes. The second-team all-Patriot League selection also had three rushing touchdowns in helping the Rams average 30.5 points per game. In Fordham’s 40-37 win at Buffalo last year, Montes threw for 309 yards and five touchdowns en route to being named the FedEx Ground FCS national offensive player of the week.

■ BGSU: It could be an emotional return when Demetrius Hardamon steps on the field. The last time the 6-4, 245-pound linebacker appeared in a game included a tough moment for him and the program; he was carted off the field after suffering a season-ending neck injury at No. 2 Michigan early last year. Hardamon, a former walk-on at BGSU after transferring from NAIA Georgetown College, was second on the team with six sacks during the 2022 campaign. For his BGSU career, he has 60 tackles, including 15.5 for loss and eight sacks.

STATS TO KNOW

8: The turnover battle was beneficial for BGSU last season, with the Falcons finishing tied for first in the FBS with 28 takeaways (17 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries). Fordham, though, was one of the best FCS schools in taking care of the ball. The Rams’ eight total turnovers (seven fumbles, one interception) was the fourth fewest in the nation.

175: A win for the Falcons would be the 175th for the program at Doyt Perry Stadium, according to BGSU athletics. BGSU, which won the first game played at the venue 13-0 over Dayton on Oct. 1, 1966, is 174-112-5 all-time at Doyt Perry Stadium. BGSU is opening the season at home for the first time since 2019.

13: BGSU brought in 13 players from the transfer portal since the end of last season, and a significant amount of them should see immediate playing time. Nine of them, including safety C.J. Brown (Northern Illinois), cornerbacks Todd Bumphis (Cincinnati), Darius McClendon (Florida Atlantic), and Edward Rhambo (Northern Arizona), wide receivers R.J. Garcia II (Kansas State) and Malcolm Johnson, Jr., (Auburn), punter John Henderson (Antelope Valley College), linebacker Donny Stephens (Oklahoma State), and running back/returner Justin Pegues (Tennessee Tech), are all listed on BGSU’s depth chart for the game.

MATCHUP TO WATCH

BGSU’s passing game vs. Fordham’s pass defense: Between quarterbacks Connor Bazelak and Camden Orth, as well as first-team Mid-American Conference tight end Harold Fannin, Jr., the Falcons have talent in the passing game. What the new wide receivers in Garcia and Johnson bring, however, could be critical for a BGSU team that lost its top three wideouts from last year. Fordham’s pass defense was one of the worst in the FCS last season; the Rams’ 241.1 yards allowed per game ranked 99th.

PREDICTION

Fordham will certainly present some challenges to BGSU, especially with the weapons the Rams have at the offensive skill positions. The Falcons, however, have plenty of playmakers and experience themselves, especially on defense. Fordham will have its moments, but BGSU should be able to earn its first season-opening win in five years. BGSU 35-20.