Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Prepare for Western Michigan
October 08, 2001 | Football
Oct. 8, 2001
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BGSU (4-1, 2-1) at W. MICH. (3-2, 1-0) 1 p.m., Saturday, October 13 Waldo Stadium (30,200) Series Record: BGSU leads 28-12-3 Last Meeting: WMU 34, at BGSU 21 (1997) Radio: WBVI-FM (96.7)/WFOB-AM (1430) Internet: www.bgsufalcons.com
FALCONS CONTINUE TOUGH ROAD
Saturday's game against defending West Division champion Western Michigan will be the middle game of a three-game road stretch (in four games) which will take them to the home field of a 2000 MAC Divisional Champion. BGSU lost 37-31 at Marshall (2000 co-East Division) and will travel to Akron (2000 co-East Division) on October 20.
THE FALCONS AND THE BRONCOS
Saturday will mark the 44th meeting between the two teams since 1954, and first since 1997. BGSU holds a 28-12-3 advantage but will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak against WMU. The Falcons last defeated WMU, 29-19 in 1992 and last won in Kalamazoo, 23-10, in 1991. Bronco Coach Gary Darnell is 2-0 against the Falcons.
AFTER FIVE GAMES
BGSU is three games over .500 for the first time this late in the season since 1994. The Falcons have doubled their victory total of two from 2000 ...BGSU is sixth in the country in rushing defense (59.2) and fifth in turnover margin (1.8)...BGSU is third in the country in non-offensive touchdowns (4) behind Oklahoma (6) and Colorado (5)...the Falcons have scored 21 touchdowns, equalling the number of TD's they scored last season ...defensively, the Falcons have allowed just one rushing TD...BG quarterbacks are completing 61.9 percent of their passes, compared to 48.4 percent in 2000...junior Andy Sahm has equalled his TD pass total of 2000 (8).
SEASON BESTS AGAINST KENT STATE
The Falcons established season-high's for rushes (58) rushing yards (200), completions (27) and pass attempts (42) against Kent State. In addition, BGSU had a season-best 414 yards of total offense and a season-low 40 penalty yards.
KENT STATE WRAPUP
The Falcons' 3-0 home record gives them their 22nd winning home season in 36 years at Perry Stadium.
The Falcons have a 48-22-10 record in their 80 Homecoming games. BGSU also now leads the series with Kent State, 49-15-6, and has won 14 straight games against the Golden Flashes in Bowling Green.
The Falcons set a school-record with 100 offensive plays. That breaks the old mark of 99 established three times against Northern Illinois (1998), Grand Valley (1978) and East Carolina (1971). They also held the ball for 43:34 to 16:26 for KSU.
Senior Kurt Gerling extended the sixth longest reception streak in the country to 34 games.
Senior Karl Rose had his fifth career interception in the fourth quarter.
Sophomore tight end D'Monn Baker scored his first career TD on a five-yard pass from Andy Sahm in the first quarter. He caught a career-high five passes.
Sophomore quarterback Josh Harris threw his first career TD pass, a five-yard throw to Gerling in the third quarter.
Junior Robert Redd matched his career-high with nine pass receptions. In the last two games, he has caught 18 passes for 278 yards.
Junior Andy Sahm established a career-high with 21 completions eclipsing his previous best of 20 set in 1999 against Toledo. In the last three games, Sahm has completed 53 of 85 (62.3%) passes.
The Falcon defense forced five turnovers to bring their takeaway total to 17 in five games. BGSU leads the MAC in turnover margin (2.). Senior defensive end Ryan Wingrove forced two of those fumbles.
RECEIVERS CLOSE TO MILESTONES
Junior Robert Redd needs one receiving yard to become the 20th player in BGSU history to eclipse the 1,000-yard barrier in his career.
Senior Kurt Gerling needs 81 yards to become the seventh player in school history to reach 2,000 receiving yards in his career.
UAO TO SPONSOR ROAD TRIP TO NORTHWESTERN
UAO is sponsoring a road trip for students to see BGSU play Northwestern. The buses will be leaving at 3:00 p.m. on November 16 and returning at approximately 9:00 p.m. on November 17. The cost of the trip is $60 and includes bus transportation, game ticket, and hotel. This event is bursarable. Those interested should register in 204 South Hall. The deadline is 5:00 p.m. October 15th.
TOUGHEST IA SCHEDULES(Based on Cumulative Opposition) 48. Ohio/Western Michigan 61. Bowling Green 80. Akron 83. Northern Illinois 84. Marshall/Ball State 88. Kent State 89. Miami 98. Central Michigan 105. Toledo 108. Buffalo
ODDS AND TRENDS
The Falcons have led at halftime in each of their five games.
BGSU has not scored in the fourth quarter in the last two games.
BGSU has led or was tied in the fourth quarter in each of its last nine MAC East Division games.
BGSU is 6-5 against the West Division since 1997.
