Bowling Green Hosts Texas State Season Opener

**Falcons Kick Off 2024 Season at Home, Seek Redemption Against Texas State**

**BOWLING GREEN, Ohio –** The Bowling Green Falcons will inaugurate their 2024 college football season right at home, hosting the Texas State Bobcats for a highly anticipated non-conference clash on Saturday, August 31st. Kickoff is slated for 12:00 PM Eastern Time at Doyt L. Perry Stadium, offering fans an early start to the collegiate gridiron action.

Football enthusiasts unable to attend in person can catch all the excitement live. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU, with streaming options available through ESPN+.

This opening weekend matchup marks a swift reunion for the two programs, who faced each other in their respective 2023 season openers. That contest, held in San Marcos, Texas, saw the Bobcats dominate the Falcons with a 30-7 victory, a result Bowling Green will undoubtedly be looking to avenge on their home turf.

Both teams enter the new season with considerable momentum stemming from their 2023 campaigns. The Falcons, under head coach Scot Loeffler, finished with a 7-6 record. Despite winning their final four regular-season games to achieve bowl eligibility, Bowling Green was notably left out of the postseason picture, a detail that is sure to fuel their fire this fall.

Texas State, meanwhile, enjoyed an even more successful 2023 season. Led by head coach G.J. Kinne, the Bobcats posted an impressive 8-5 record, culminating in a historic 45-21 victory over Rice in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl – the program’s first-ever bowl game win. That landmark achievement has significantly raised expectations for Texas State heading into 2024.

For the Falcons, continuity at key positions will be a significant factor. Quarterback Connor Bazelak returns, looking to build on his experience from last season. He will be joined in the backfield by a potent rushing duo in Terion Stewart and Ta’Ron Keith, both expected to play crucial roles in Bowling Green’s offensive scheme. Loeffler, now in his sixth season at the helm, will look to his veteran leadership to guide the team.

Texas State, also under the continued guidance of second-year head coach G.J. Kinne, faces a new challenge at the most critical position. Following the graduation of standout quarterback Darren Grainger, the Bobcats will be introducing a new starting signal-caller this season. The battle for the QB job has been a focal point of their offseason preparations, with a fresh face likely to take the reins.

Early oddsmaker projections suggest a tight contest, with Texas State opening as a slight favorite, set at -1.5 points. The over/under for total points in the game is currently pegged at 52.5, indicating expectations for a moderately high-scoring affair.

The Doyt L. Perry Stadium, with a capacity of 24,000, is expected to provide a vibrant home-field advantage for the Falcons as they kick off their quest for a strong 2024 season and aim to reverse the fortunes of last year’s opener against their Sun Belt Conference opponent. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to be part of the season-opening festivities.