Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
Michigan
Falcons Look To Build On Michigan Experience.
September 02, 2000 | Football
Sept. 2, 2000
After watching his team compete against the #4 Michigan Wolverines, Bowling Green Coach Gary Blackney was quick to point out he had seen something special in his team. "I don't think we accomplished what we wanted to today, but I told my guys to keep your heads up because they played their hearts out, and I know we are going to be a good football team," said Blackney. Despite the loss, the Falcon coaching staff will likely focus on the positive aspects that came away from the game agains the Wolverines.
*BGSU played in front of the largest crowd ever to watch a Falcon football game-110,585.
*Quarterback Andy Sahm completed 16 passes (to nine receivers) for 189 yards and a TD.
*Redshirt freshman Andre Pinchem (Detroit/Cass) caught his first career TD pass.
*Redshirt freshmen cornerback Michael Malone had 12 tackles off the bench and redshirt freshman linebacker Mitch Hewitt (Portsmouth) had nine tackles in his first career start.
*The Falcons converted on seven of nine third-down conversions in the second half.
*Senior Ricky Schneider, a last-minute substitute punter, punted nine times for a 40-yard average. Schneider was forced into action after sophomore Pat Fleming became ill with flu-like symptoms early Saturday morning.
*Junior wide receiver Kurt Gerling caught a team-best six passes for 78 yards to extend his consecutive games with a reception streak to 23. However, he will likely miss the next four-to-five weeks with a broken right collarbone.
*A solid effort from an offensive line which gave Sahm tremendous protection.
*A defensive line which forced two fumbles and recorded three sacks.
The Falcons will play their home opener Saturday at noon against Pittsburgh, which defeated Kent State, 30-7.
