Several Bowling Green players were carted off the field during the game against Michigan.
ANN ARBOR, MI — Bowling Green was forced to use a walk-on quarterback who had not taken a single snap in practice this week and was on the travel roster for the first time against second-ranked Michigan on Saturday night.
Bowling Green, already a heavy underdog, was put in an even more difficult situation, was outscored 17-0 in the second half, and lost 31-6.
Bowling Green suffered an injury to starting quarterback Connor Bazelak, a transfer from Indiana, on Thursday. He was dressed on the sidelines of Michigan Stadium and appeared to have a leg injury. Camden Orth took his place but was forced to leave the game in the second quarter.
Hayden Timosciek, a walk-on who arrived on campus in June after a freshman year at Purdue where he never saw the field, took Orth’s place. He finished the game by completing 6-of-10 passes for 33 yards and two interceptions.
“We were adapting and adjusting fast,” Bowling Green head coach Scot Loeffler said. “I was never at quarterback — he was looking to the sideline and we were telling him where to throw at times.” For us, this is a first.
“We take great pride in our quarterbacks’ ability to protect. On the sideline, we’re sketching plays. I mean, how that kid handled it is incredible. He’s a tough kid to play against that defense in this type of environment and not take a single snap all week.”
This week, Timosciek’s only practice reps were on the scout team, where he acted as Michigan starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Suddenly, he was thrust into action in front of 109,955 fans in the sport’s largest stadium, against a defense that had allowed just 10 points in the first two games.
Bowling Green has only two other quarterbacks, both of whom are true freshmen. “Hayden was put in a really, really tough circumstance and he battled his tail off,” Loeffler went on to say.
The Falcons dropped to 1-2 on the season after a rough night.
“Our kids love playing in these games and these games are awesome, trust me,” Loeffler went on to say. “But sometimes they come at a cost.” Unfortunately, the football gods cursed us with some injuries.”
Bowling Green faced a fourth-and-1 from Michigan’s 24-yard line with 11:44 remaining in the second quarter, trailing 7-3. Orth, who had just passed on three consecutive plays, lined up under center before Loeffler called a timeout. Bowling Green ended up kicking a field goal after Orth walked off the field and through the tunnel.
“Our quarterback had some major, major issues going on,” Loeffler explained when asked why he made the decision. “Any other time, I’ll go for it.” There are no ifs, ands, or buts. All of the players were yelling, and when they realized why, they immediately said, ‘Kick the field goal.’
“Most importantly, it was our quarterback’s health and safety.” That was the correct choice. Now, conceptually, it was not the case. We should go ahead and do it. We’ve arrived at Michigan Stadium. We’d go for it any other time, but that’s someone’s kid.”
Loeffler didn’t go into detail about Orth’s condition. He wasn’t sure who would start at quarterback the following Saturday.
Linebacker Demetrius Hardamon was stretchered off the field early in the third quarter after making a tackle. Before leaving the field, he gave a quick thumbs up and a brief wave to his teammates. According to the Big Ten Network television broadcast, he was transferred to the University of Michigan hospital.
Loeffler was asked if he had any news on Hardamon’s condition. “No, not yet.” The good news – and I’m not a doctor – is that his hands were moving. I saw the hit and knew right away that there was something wrong. Let us all say a prayer for him, and hopefully he will be fine.”
Bowling Green tight end Levi Gazarek was carted off the field a few minutes into the fourth quarter. “He’s OK. “He’ll be fine,” Loeffler assured. “High ankle sprain I believe, but nothing broken which is great.”
The first snap of the fourth quarter was also delayed because someone on the Bowling Green sideline was carted away, though Loeffler said it wasn’t a Bowling Green employee.
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