Bowling Green wins its MAC opener after Miami’s late lead slips away

Leo Kemp scored from two yards out in the final seconds, completing Bowling Green's last possession and giving the Falcons a 24-20 win at Miami of Ohio on Saturday. Bowling Green had lost its fourth-quarter lead, then drove 75 yards to secure its first victory of the season in the MAC opener for both teams.

Jay Kastantin completed 25 of 37 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. His passing carried a Falcons offense that repeatedly answered Miami's scores, including the final drive after the RedHawks moved ahead on a field goal.

Miami takes the lead late

Bowling Green entered the fourth quarter ahead 10-9. Kastantin found Eli Jacon-Duffy for a 14-yard touchdown with 13:25 remaining, and Travis Kenner's extra point expanded the lead to 17-9.

Miami answered with Caleb Heavner's 10-yard touchdown pass to Lynel Billups-Williams. A successful two-point conversion tied the game at 17 with 8:50 left. Kellan McLaughlin then made a 28-yard field goal on Miami's next scoring possession, putting the RedHawks ahead 20-17 with less than two minutes remaining.

The Falcons began their response at their own 25-yard line. Kastantin completed passes to Brennan Ridley and Jeremiah Scoby as Bowling Green moved into Miami territory. A pass-interference penalty against the RedHawks then placed the ball at the two-yard line, where Kemp finished the drive. The official team report credits Eriq George with a sack on Miami's final play.

An early passing strike builds the first lead

The first quarter ended scoreless. McLaughlin opened the scoring in the second with a 24-yard field goal, but Kastantin soon found Nakai Amachree for a 64-yard touchdown. That gave Bowling Green a 7-3 lead and supplied the game's longest scoring play.

Kenner added a 38-yard field goal before McLaughlin's 41-yard kick cut the halftime deficit to 10-6. Miami drew within one point on McLaughlin's 40-yard field goal in the third quarter, setting up the series of lead changes that followed.

Ridley led Bowling Green with nine catches for 95 yards. Amachree caught three passes for 71 yards, including the long touchdown. Winn Sharp added five receptions for 63 yards, and Jacon-Duffy finished with four catches for 39 yards.

No turnovers, but costly penalties

Neither team committed a turnover. Miami's final box lists 12 penalties for 103 yards, compared with six for 64 yards by Bowling Green. The late pass-interference call gave the Falcons the short finishing run they needed after moving most of the field through the air.

Heavner completed 17 of 24 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown. Billups-Williams had four receptions for 75 yards, and Rodney Nelson led Miami with 70 rushing yards on 16 attempts. The RedHawks finished with 306 total yards and converted three of 11 third downs.

Bowling Green improved to 1-4 and 1-0 in the MAC. The Falcons host Sacramento State on October 10. Miami fell to 2-3 and 0-1 in conference play and next visits Massachusetts.