 | BOWLING GREEN (7-5) vs. IDAHO (7-5)
Roady's Humanitarian Bowl
Dec. 30, 4:30 p.m. ET
ESPN |  |
INSIDE THE CAMPS
BOWLING GREEN
Bowling Green and Idaho posted 7-5 records under first-year coaches, and their reward is a matchup in the Humanitarian Bowl on Dec. 30.
However, the two teams got there in different manners.
At one point Idaho was 6-1, but it lost four of its last five games. In those four defeats, the Vandals allowed an average of 54 points a game, including 70 points to Nevada and 63 to Boise State.
Meanwhile, Bowling Green was 1-4 early in the season and needed to close out strong to become bowl-eligible. The Falcons went 4-0 in November and got to 7-5 with a 38-24 win over rival Toledo in the season finale.
"At the end of the year, we played at the level I wished we had played at all year," Falcons coach Dave Clawson said.
Bowling Green then had to wait to see if all the conferences could fill their bowl spots. When that didn't happen, Bowling Green, the Mid-American Conference and the Humanitarian Bowl were able to make a deal.
The MAC has three automatic bowl spots, but it got five teams into bowls. Bowling Green's placement in the Humanitarian Bowl could be a prelude to the MAC becoming an automatic partner to the bowl, as it looks as if the International Bowl (one of the MAC's automatic tie-ins) is done after this season.
There is also a difference in the background of the two coaches. Idaho's Robb Akey was a long-time assistant coach, including a stint as defensive coordinator at Washington State. Clawson was a successful head coach at Fordham and Richmond and was the offensive coordinator at Tennessee for one year before taking the Bowling Green job.
Both teams can put points on the scoreboard. Idaho is averaging 450.9 yards and 31.8 points per game. Bowling Green is averaging 391.4 yards and 27.3 points per game.
"They have a great offense. In a lot of ways, the formula they've won with is very similar with ours," Clawson said. "It's going to come down to what defense can step up and make stops. We have to find ways to get off the field, and they have the same challenge."
Idaho does have an advantage in playing the game in its home state. But Boise State fans don't have much use for the Vandals, and you can expect many of the Boise fans in attendance to be wearing orange (Bowling Green's colors are brown and orange) and cheering for the Falcons as an alternative to cheering for Idaho.
IDAHO
Idaho is no stranger to the Mid-American Conference. The Vandals have played several series against schools from that conference in recent years.
That's one reason for the Vandals (7-5) to feel good about their Roady's Humanitarian Bowl matchup against Bowling Green (7-5).
Idaho has played Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan and Northern Illinois in recent seasons and the Vandals have scheduled future home-and-home series with Ohio University and Bowling Green.
The Vandals are busy preparing for their first bowl game in 11 years and, in addition to playing in their home state, a silver lining already has appeared. Idaho is expected to have starting quarterback Nathan Enderle back for the game.
Enderle missed two games with a shoulder injury in November and then aggravated the injury in the regular-season finale against Utah State. Enderle couldn't finish that game.
With Enderle healthy, the Vandals are expected to be at full strength for the first time since early fall.
Idaho will be trying to snap a three-game losing streak when it takes on Bowling Green at Bronco Stadium in Boise.
KEY MATCHUPS
Idaho's run game vs. Bowling Green's defense.
Bowling Green has had problems stopping the run all season, allowing an averaging of 192.8 yards per game. Stopping Idaho's three-pronged running attack, led by DeMaundray Woolridge (853 yards and 16 TDs) is going to come down to Bowling Green's defensive front, which is still learning, and a senior linebacker trio, who are Bowling Green's top three tacklers. If the Vandals can move the ball on the ground and take time off the clock, it's going to put a lot of pressure on Bowling Green's offense to be productive each time it takes the field. S P.J. Mahone, who has played well in the last four games since returning from a six-game suspension, will be the defensive wild card for Bowling Green, He's a sure tackler who can support the run as well as defend the pass.
Bowling Green's passing attack vs. Idaho's defense.
Bowling Green is averaging 310.2 per game through the air, led by QB Tyler Sheehan (340 of 528 for 3,664 yards, 23 touchdowns and only six interceptions) and WR Freddie Barnes (138 receptions to lead the nation, for 1,551 yards and 16 TDs). Barnes was one of three finalists for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation's top wide receiver. The Falcons have seen all kinds of defensive schemes to stop Barnes, but the Vandals will have almost a month to prepare things, which probably will include getting pressure on Sheehan from a number of different angles and bracketing Barnes. That means Sheehan will have to get rid of the ball quicker, and TE Jimmy Scheidler and RB Willie Geter could come into play as outlet receivers.
Idaho's passing attack vs. Bowling Green's defense.
Again it's going to come down to Bowling Green's front seven to make a major contribution. Idaho QB Nathan Enderle has thrown for 2,666 yards and 18 scores with nine interceptions. WR Max Komar has made 62 receptions for 1,036 yards and 10 scores. Bowling Green has allowed only 14 touchdowns through the air all season. Roger Williams leads the Falcons in solo tackles (47) and interceptions (four).
NAMES TO KNOW
BOWLING GREEN
QB Tyler Sheehan -- The senior is looking to close out his college career in a positive way after a sub-par performance in the regular-season finale against Toledo on Nov. 27. He has thrown for 3,664 yards and 23 TDs with just six picks this season. Sheehan has thrown a TD pass in 21 straight games and is Bowling Green's career leader in several categories, including total yards.
WR Freddie Barnes -- He is one of three finalists for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's top wide receiver. With 138 receptions this season, Barnes is only four away from matching the NCAA single-season record. He had 1,551 receiving yards with 16 touchdowns. He has 18 TDs overall.
S P.J. Mahone -- The Falcons are 5-1 in the six games the sure-tackling safety has played in this season. He was suspended for six games during the season, but Bowling Green has gone 4-0 since he returned to the lineup. In those four games, he has made 41 tackles. He is also an effective special-teams performer, especially on the punt-coverage unit.
LB Jerett Sanderson -- Sanderson is called Bowling Green's best, most consistent defensive player by head coach Dave Clawson. He can support the run and also cover slot receivers. This season, Sanderson has 77 tackles, including a team-high 7.5 tackles for loss, an interception, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Sanderson is also a good special-teams performer.
IDAHO
QB Nathan Enderle -- The junior has been stellar this season with a 155.75 efficiency rating, but he reinjured his right shoulder in the regular-season finale against Utah State. The original injury forced him to miss two games in November. Enderle has thrown for 2,666 yards with 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
OG Mike Iupati -- The senior is one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy. He hasn't allowed a sack this season and the Vandals often run behind the 6-6, 340-pounder.
RB DeMaundray Woolridge -- The senior has scored 16 touchdowns and has rushed for 853 yards in his only season as a Vandal.
S Shiloh Keo -- The junior leads Idaho in tackles (109) and interceptions (three). He also is the team's top punt returner.
MEDICAL WATCH
BOWLING GREEN
IDAHO
- QB Nathan Enderle, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury, is expected to return and start in the Humanitarian Bowl against Bowling Green.
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TSX PICKS: Bowling Green 36-20
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