Kaden Anderson produced five of Tarleton State's seven explosive plays
It came down to the final possessions. What separated Tarleton State from Bowling Green.
Hold your breath — it earned it. Tarleton State edges Bowling Green, 20-13 at Doyt L. Perry Stadium. One possession separated them for most of the night. Kaden Anderson threw for 206 yards on 24 attempts with two touchdowns and ran six times for 8 yards.
The snaps that mattered
Three plays carried most of the swing. Tylan Hines's 72-yard run on 1st-and-10 at Q2 05:55. Then Tylan Hines's 83-yard run on 1st-and-10 at Q4 01:56. Later, Tylan Hines's 0-yard run that came up short on 3rd-and-7 at Q4 01:35.
How we got here
Tarleton State struck first through Kaden Anderson, led 17-7 at the half and Bowling Green got the final points on a late field goal by Travis Kenner.
Third down decided the possession count
Bowling Green converted 6 of 13 third downs (46%) to Tarleton State's 10%, led by Jay Kastantin (6/12) and Jeremiah Scoby (3/5). Bowling Green produced 11 plays of 15+ yards to Tarleton State's 7: Jay Kastantin (involved in 10), Jeremiah Scoby (involved in 4) and Winn Sharp (involved in 2). Tarleton State won anyway.
How the two sides actually played on the night.
The difference-makers
Kaden Anderson threw for 206 yards on 24 attempts with two touchdowns and ran six times for 8 yards, with that score from inside the 20 and a hand in five plays of 15 yards or more. Tylan Hines ran 26 times for 250 yards and caught two passes for 47 yards, including a hand in three plays of 15 yards or more. Marquis Willis caught four passes for 52 yards, one of them for a touchdown, with that score from inside the 20. For Bowling Green, Jay Kastantin threw for 262 yards on 30 attempts and ran nine times for 17 yards — six third-down conversions and a hand in 10 plays of 15 yards or more. Jeremiah Scoby caught 10 passes for 102 yards, with three third-down conversions and a hand in four plays of 15 yards or more. Austyn Dendy ran 15 times for 60 yards and one score, including that score from inside the 20. Jadan Aubert was the disruptive one for Tarleton State: 1 forced fumble, 4.5 tackles.
The takeaway
Historically similar games since 2019 — close margin, both offenses held far below norm — and how often that offense outperformed this level the following week.
A nervy, earned win for Tarleton State; Bowling Green was one play from flipping it. Austyn Dendy was responsible for 6 of Bowling Green's points; there was not enough behind him.
Discussion
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