The Buchtelite

Issue date: 11/6/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jeff Harwell / Zips Sports Photography Carlton Jackson started Saturday after Chris Jacquemain's suspension.

The Zips' football team struggled offensively and defensively Friday night as it suffered its third consecutive Mid-American Conference East Division loss at Bowling Green, falling 44-20.

The Zips (3-6, 2-3 MAC) were out- gained by the Falcons (5-4, 3-2 MAC) 517-435, but Akron's inability to score when inside the 20-yard line and four turnovers were the factors that crippled the Zips' chances of keeping pace with the Falcons' high-powered offense.

The Zips converted only 3-6 chances in the red zone and had two fumbles late in second quarter drives that thwarted scoring opportunities.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Carlton Jackson got his second start of the season and played the entire game in place of starting quarterback redshirt sophomore Chris Jacquemain, who was suspended for the game by Akron head coach J.D. Brookhart.

Jackson was effective at moving the team on the ground, but struggled throwing the ball. The Zips rushed for 243 yards and gained 192 yards through the air. The 6-2, 195-pound backup quarterback led the team in rushing yards with 133, but also fumbled once and threw two interceptions - the first of which was returned by Bowling Green's P.J. Mahone for a 51-yard touchdown on Akron's opening driving in the second half.

Brookhart said after the game that Jackson appeared hesitant in some of the team's passing plays.

"He certainly did well running the football, but struggled throwing," Brookhart said. "He was tentative. He looked like he wasn't stepping into a lot of the throws that he made."

Jackson said that the Zips' failure to finish drives with scores, and the Falcons' ability to do so, proved to be the difference in the game.

"We came out, got in the red zone a few times and missed some opportunities," Jackson said. "We didn't capitalize, and it came back to haunt us in the end. Hats off to the Bowling Green offense."

While the Zips' offense had difficulty getting into the end zone, the defense struggled to keep the Falcons' offense out of it. BGSU's offense scored four touchdowns behind the arm of sophomore quarterback Tyler Sheehan and the arm and legs of dual-threat talent Anthony Turner.

Sheehan threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns. Turner, a converted quarterback, ran for 104 yards and a score, and threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Chris Wright on the game's first possession.

Continued...

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