Bowling Green opened their season with a dominant 26-7 victory over Lafayette, sparked by Cameron Pettaway's electrifying 98-yard kick return touchdown in the game's first 11 seconds. The Falcons built a commanding 17-0 halftime lead behind Mar'Kel Porter's second-quarter touchdown run and kicker Jackson Kleather's impressive performance, which included a booming 56-yard field goal among his four successful kicks. The Leopards finally got on the board with Dean DeNobile's 5-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Steward in the third quarter, but couldn't overcome the Falcons' consistent scoring attack.