Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Bowling Green (2-1, 2-0 MAC) had their second win in the MAC this season and first on the road. However, the Falcons were far from their best and the mistakes piled up. Nevertheless, the 39-21 win was enough for the Falcons to extend their MAC Conference win streak to 10 games.

"Certainly not the way we wanted to rebound from Notre Dame. Obviously, Pitt has decently improved, so just not what we wanted to see," said Head Coach Tony Mazzarella. "Just very sloppy, very tired, and I can't have it this weekend for sure."

What should have been an easy day on the road quickly became a headache. The Falcons once again underperformed despite finding a way to win last weekend. The team started slow and tired in the first half. However, the Falcons were able to make it 24-7 at half. During the second half the mistakes really started to compound. The Falcon's would continue to score, but they also let Pitt back into the game. When the final whistle blew the Falcons managed to scrape out a 39-21 win away in Pittsburgh.

"I thought we came out a little stale and did not play our best rugby, but we took care of business and got the win," said Vice-Captain Phil Tracey. "We have a really talented group of guys who will for sure bounce back and I'm looking forward to seeing it against Maryland this Saturday."

Additionally, Captain Joey Apel said "Our goal this week was to keep our momentum throughout the entire game."

While the 1st XV fell short, the 2nd XV shined. In the second match of the day, the Falcon's 2nd Side blew past Pitt's 2nd Side with an 82-5 win. Center Isaac Radke (26 pts, 2 tries, 8/9 for conversions) and Prop Evan Holderer (25 pts, 5 tries) lead the way with a combined 51 pts for the second side. In addition, 5 more Falcons, Andre Collins, Ben Baily, Ginder, Reid Crabiel, and Chris Jennings-Evans scored their first try of the season. Dat Vu was 2 for 2 on conversions (4 pts) and Ginder was 1 for 1 (2pts), contributing a combined six points.

NOTABLES

• The Falcons scored more than four tries in their second consecutive MAC match.
• Szepeila and Van Hoose increased their season try count to four with one try each against Pittsburgh.
• Logan Van Hoose has 15 points (3 tries) in the MAC and is tied 5th in the MAC for points scorers.
• With 2 from 8 conversions, another 4 points, Captain Joey Apel is tied 9th in the MAC for points scorers.
• The Second XV had two players with 20+ points: Radke (26) and Holderer (25).
• The Second XV had five new try scorers: Collins, Baily, Ginder, R. Crabiel, and Jennings-Evans x1.

Bowling Green (2-1, 1-0 MAC) will play their final non-conference game Homecoming Weekend against University of Maryland (2-2, 0-1 MARC) at 1 pm on Saturday, September 28th at the Roger Mazzarella Rugby Field. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
1st XV
Bowling Green 39, Pittsburgh 21

• Kickoff
• Wing Owen Slimmer opens the scoring for the Falcons with his second try of the season (5-0)
• Center Logan Van Hoose scores his third of the season (10-0)
• Apel converts (12-0)
• Prop Vinnie Pfahl scores his first of the season (17-0)
• Apel converts (19-0)
• Pittsburgh scores and converts (19-7)
• Lock Zach Szepiela scores his fourth of the season (24-7)
• Halftime: (24-7)
• Flanker Colton Crabiel scores his first of the season (29-7)
• Pittsburgh scores and converse (29-14)
• Center Van Hoose scores his second of the day and fourth of the season (34-7)
• Wing John Matier scores his first try for the 1st XV (39-14)
• Pittsburgh scores and converse (34-21)
• Final Score: 39-21

2nd XV
Bowling Green (82), Pittsburgh (5)

• Kickoff
• Full-Back Andrew Collins scores his first try of the season (5-0)
• Radke converts (7-0)
• Prop Evan Holderer scores his first try of the game (12-0)
• Radke converts (14-0)
• Pittsburgh scores (14-5)
• Prop Evan Holderer scores his second try of the game (19-5)
• Radke converts (21-5)
• Prop Evan Holderer scores his third try of the game (26-0)
• Radke converts (28-0)
• Radke scores and converts (35-5)
• Prop Evan Holderer scores his fourth try of the game (40-5)
• Radke converts (42-5)
• Halftime: Score: (42-5)
• Flanker Ben Baily scores his first try of the season (47-5)
• Radke converts (49-5)
• Radke scores his second on the day (54-5)
• Center Reid Crabiel scores his first try of the season (59-5)
• Radke converts (61-5)
• Center Ginder scores his first try of the season (66-5)
• Dat Vu converts (68-5)
• Prop Evan Holderer scores his fifth try of the game (73-5)
• Ginder converts (75-5)
• Chris Jennings-Evans scores his first try of the season (80-5)
• Vu converts (82-5)
• Final Score: 82-5