Y11 Notes: Bowling Green, Ohio

Will we hear some good news in the near future for both of the Rourke brothers?

Y11 Notes: Wednesday, Nov. 16

Bowling Green 42, Toledo 35

Bowling Green, my goodness. This was the Battle of I-75 of all Battle of I-75s. Toledo didn’t need the win to get to the MAC title scene since it already clinched its spot last week, but Toledo didn’t have to lose like this either. It’s your biggest rival, it’s at home, and midweek MACtion means somebody’s watching this all unfold from the bar. Also, the fan base’s frustration over its embarrassing losses under Jason Candle have been

Toledo was down 27-14 heading into the fourth quarter, came back and scored three times, including a QB Tucker Gleason TD run with 51 seconds remaining to go up 35-34. BGSU QB Matt McDonald, after his throwing arm was hit by Toledo DE Jamal Hines to bring up third and long, McDonald responded by scrambling and finding WR Ta’ron Keith open past the sticks and made the risky throw. Five players, including Ohio State transfer Dallas Gant, had the chance to take Keith out of the play or tackle him after the catch but they all whiffed.

#MACtion @MACSports

BEDLAM IN THE GLASS BOWL!! @Taronkeith4 takes it strong to seal the deal😤 @BG_Football | #MACtion

And just like that, Toledo looks embarrassed. Once admired as the best team in the MAC who could steamroll anybody is now wondering what the better option for its future MAC Championship date: a rematch with BG, or take on Ohio’s high-scoring offense?

Ohio 32, Ball State 18

Big win for Ohio, but maybe the biggest takeaway is Kurtis Rourke’s injury.

Hustle Belt @HustleBelt

Kurtis Rourke has a very large knee brace and what looks to be an ice pack around his right knee. This looks like it could be a long-term injury.

Rourke, the MAC’s leading passer, went down with a knee injury and later roamed the sideline in a medical boot. Ohio winning over Ball State the way it did was still great, but the importance of this win matters not simply because BG took care of business in Toledo.

Now, Ohio vs. BG is just short of a winner-take-all event.

If Ohio beats BG next week, then the Bobcats are headed to the MAC Championship in its second season after Frank Solich’s retirement.

If BG wins and Buffalo loses one of its next two games, then the Falcons are in.

We’ll wait and see how UB does this weekend against Akron. After watching Buffalo lose the way it did to CMU, a loss to Akron isn’t improbable.

Speaking of Rourke

Good luck to the older Rourke brother, Nathan, for going on tour to see if he can land a futures contract with an NFL team. Per Adam Schefter, the former Ohio QB has visits lined up after he dominated at the CFL level.

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter

BC Lions QB Nathan Rourke, who led the CFL this season in passer rating, is set to begin working out for NFL teams next week. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Rourke is from Ontario, played collegiately at Ohio, had a record 78.7 completion % last season, and now has NFL visits lined up.

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