ATHENS, Ohio – Considering Bowling Green’s propensity to create turnovers and Ohio’s problem giving up the ball, Frank Solich’s main concern this week is taking care of the football.

The Falcons have intercepted 11 passes and recovered six fumbles in their first five games to rank second in the nation in turnovers created. The Bobcats have eight picks and have given up six fumbles to rank as the second-worst team in the Mid-American Conference at giving up the football.

“That looks like a nightmare in itself,” Solich said. “They are an opportunistic football team in all phases.”

Bowling Green (1-4, 0-1 MAC) forced Buffalo into six turnovers a week ago, but it was not quite enough to rally past the Bulls in a 28-26 loss.

“We did a lot of good things in the fourth quarter, but we did not play well the first three,” Bowling Green coach Dave Clawson said. “We were really very fortunate to even have a chance to win the game. I thought Buffalo dominated the game on both sides of the line of scrimmage. They outplayed us. It was just a matter of turnovers keeping us in the game. … We struggled all day on offense. If it wasn’t for our defense creating turnovers, it’s probably not even a close game.”

Turnovers are one of the only things the Falcons have had going for them this year. They rank eighth in the MAC in offense at 296.8 yards per game and last by a large margin in defense at 511.8 yards per game.

Most of Bowling Green’s offense has come through the air (238.6 yards per game). But the Falcons have not gained those yards efficiently, completing only 57.6 percent of their passes with six touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Matt Schilz had established himself as the starter, but an injury kept him out against Buffalo and he again is questionable against Ohio, Clawson said.

Aaron Pancratz started in his place against the Bulls, but struggled to complete just 12 of 37 passes for 167 yards with three interceptions. Clawson said it is not a given that Pancratz will get the start if Schilz cannot go, and instead, he will open up the quarterback competition again this week if that is the case.

Wide receiver Kamar Jorden is among the nation's leaders with 42 catches for 425 yards.

“They are throwing the ball,” Solich said. “They definitely are a pass-oriented football team.”

Running back Willie Geter has gained 308 yards on the ground with an average of 3.4 yards per carry, but the rest of the team has minus 17 yards rushing.

Even so, Solich said he respects what the Falcons can do on the ground.

“Geter is an up-the-field runner,” he said. “Though he is not a big back, he is an up-the-field runner and a very tough football player. As an ex-running back coach, I like the way he runs.”

Defense also was a struggle against Buffalo for Bowling Green, with the Bulls outgaining the Falcons 441-176.

Linebacker Dwayne Wood does lead the MAC in tackles with 64, and the opportunistic secondary has three of the top four players in the MAC at passes defended.

But Bowling Green has only five sacks and 18 tackles for loss.

Despite numerous injuries, Ohio has remained sound on defense, ranking fifth in the MAC in points and yards allowed.

Safety Donovan Fletcher leads the Bobcats with 31 tackles and three interceptions.

“They have a lot of returning starters up front,” Clawson said. “We thought they were one of the more physical defenses in the conference a year ago, and they’ve got a lot of guys back. We’ve got our work cut out for us.”

Offensively, Boo Jackson has solidified himself at quarterback. He has recovered from a slow start and now has completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 676 yards with five touchdowns and six interceptions.

Running back Vince Davidson has gained 163 yards rushing, but has averaged only 2.8 yards per carry.

Leading receiver LaVon Brazill, though, is likely out for the rest of the season with a broken hand, and Terrence McCrae and Riley Dunlop also have been banged up.

Injuries also have been hard on the Falcons. In addition to playing without Schilz last week, they were without starting offensive linemen Scott Lewis and Blaec Walkery, and the Falcons could be without both players again this week.

Naturally, the No. 1 key to victory for the Bobcats will be protecting the football.

“We’re going to have to continue to move the ball on offense and we’re going to have to take care of it,” Solich said. “They do a great job in terms of their secondary play of not only picking passes off, but they take it all the way back. We cannot let them do that. We need to take care of the ball.”

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Peden Stadium.