What Is 2017 Bowling Green Falcons football

Overview

The 2017 Bowling Green Falcons football season marked the 107th season of the program and the third under head coach Mike Jinks. Competing in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the team represented Bowling Green State University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division.

Despite high expectations following a strong 2016 campaign, the Falcons struggled to maintain consistency. They finished the regular season with a 6–6 record, qualifying for bowl eligibility but ultimately not receiving a postseason bid due to conference tie-ins and selection priorities.

• Head coach Mike Jinks led the team through his third season, finishing with a 6–6 record before being dismissed after the 2018 season amid declining performance.
• Quarterback Jarret Doege started 10 games, throwing for 2,765 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions during the season.
• The Falcons opened the season with a 42–14 loss to Georgia in Athens, highlighting a significant gap against Power Five competition.
• They played home games at Doyt L. Perry Stadium, a 24,000-seat venue in Bowling Green, Ohio, where they posted a 4–2 record.
• Defensively, the team allowed an average of 31.5 points per game, ranking among the bottom third of FBS programs in defensive efficiency.

Performance & Season Details

The 2017 campaign was marked by offensive flashes but undermined by defensive shortcomings and inconsistent execution. The Falcons showed promise in conference play but failed to secure a winning record or bowl berth.

• Conference record: Finished 4–4 in MAC play, placing third in the MAC East Division behind Ohio and Miami (OH).
• Home performance: Won 4 of 6 home games, including victories over Eastern Michigan and Buffalo.
• Road struggles: Went 2–4 away, with losses to Akron, Toledo, and Ohio, indicating difficulty in hostile environments.
• Offensive output: Averaged 29.3 points per game, ranking 67th nationally, with a balanced attack between run and pass.
• Defensive issues: Allowed 31.5 points per game, including four games where opponents scored 40+ points.
• Key loss: A 55–24 defeat to Toledo on November 17 effectively ended any slim hopes for a bowl-eligible finish.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares the 2017 Falcons’ key metrics to the previous two seasons:

The data shows a slight improvement in win total from 2015 to 2017, but a decline in both defensive performance and conference success compared to 2016. Despite matching their win total from the previous year, the team failed to secure a bowl invitation, a setback after participating in the 2016 Camellia Bowl.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season represented a transitional phase for the Bowling Green football program, reflecting broader challenges in maintaining momentum after a successful 2016 season. It underscored the difficulty of competing in the MAC amid coaching instability and defensive weaknesses.

• Program trajectory: The 6–6 record masked stagnation, as the team failed to build on the momentum of the previous year’s bowl appearance.
• Coaching pressure: Mike Jinks’ record over three seasons (15–24) led to increased scrutiny, culminating in his dismissal after the 2018 season.
• Recruiting impact: The lack of bowl play in 2017 hurt the team’s ability to attract high-level recruits in subsequent classes.
• Conference competitiveness: The MAC remained highly competitive, with only six of 12 teams reaching bowl eligibility that year.
• Fan engagement: Attendance at Doyt L. Perry Stadium declined slightly, reflecting waning enthusiasm after missed postseason opportunities.
• Future implications: The 2017 season set the stage for a full rebuild under new leadership, beginning with Jinks’ departure and a coaching search in 2019.

In summary, the 2017 Bowling Green Falcons football team was a squad with potential that ultimately underperformed relative to expectations. While not a complete failure, the season highlighted systemic issues that would require significant changes in the years ahead.