Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU 43, Northwestern 42
November 17, 2001 | Football
The Falcons are the most improved football team in Division IA in 2001 joining Colorado, Washington State, BYU, Maryland and Rice with five more victories than last season.
The Falcons scored a season-high 43 points, including 29 in the fourth quarter. The 29 points in the final 15 minutes was the most for the Falcons since they scored 31 against Ball State in a quarter in 1994.
The 1,242 yards of combined total offense sets a new MAC record breaking the old mark of 1,227 set by Kent State and Central Florida in 1997. The 183 plays by both teams is the second most in MAC history (Ohio and Ball State, 186 in 1985).
Cole Magner's game-winning two-point conversion was the first two-point attempt for the Falcons this season. Magner also threw his first career TD pass. The Falcons notched additional season-bests in total offense (618) and yards passing (472) and first downs (32).
The Falcons 618 yards of total offense was their best output since they had 617 against Ohio in 1985.
Josh Harris became the second Falcon quarterback to throw for 400 yards in a game when he completed 30 of 47 passes for 402 yards and three TD's. All were career-bests for the sophomore who was making his fourth start of his career. Harris also rushed for 96 yards and two TD's and caught a 14-yard TD pass from Magner to boot. His 498 yards of total offense breaks the old school record of 471 set by Brian McClure against Ohio in 1985.
Harris' total of 498 yards of total offense is the second highest in the history of the MAC. Jose Davis of Kent State had 534 yards in a 1997 game against Central Florida. His 6 TD's that he was responsible for (3 passing, 2 rushing, 1 receiving) is the third highest single-game output in MAC history and most for a Falcon since Erik White accounted for 7 against Ball State in 1994.
Harris' 402 yards passing was the fourth highest single-game total in BGSU history.
The Falcons became the first MAC school to defeat three schools from BCS conferences (Missouri, Big 12), (Temple, Big East), and (Northwestern, Big Ten) in a regular season.
Chad Long had a career-best two interceptions and now has five in his career.
Robert Redd had a career-best 12 receptions. He had 168 yards receiving, his second plus-100 yard effort of the season and fifth of his career.
David Bautista had a career-best 155 receiving yards and 10 receptions. It was his fifth 100-plus yard receiving effort and first this season.
Redd and Bautista are the first Falcon receiving pair to eclipse the century mark since Kurt Gerling and Aaron Alexander had 183 and 105 yards respectively against Akron in 1999.
Chris Haneline had a career-high 18 tackles. Khary Campbell also had a career-best 15 tackles.
The Falcons finished with a 4-2 record on the road, their best since going 5-1 in 1994.
BGSU rallied from a second half deficit for the third time this season on the road (at Missouri, at Akron, and at Northwestern).
This was the Falcons first win against a Big Ten opponent since Don Nehlen's 1972 Falcons defeated Purdue, 17-14. The win also snapped an eight-game road losing streak at Big Ten facilities.
Haneline had a forced fumble at the one-yard line which was recovered by Janssen Patton ending a Wildcat scoring drive in the third quarter. It was Haneline's second forced fumble this season.
Karl Rose forced the game-winning fumble which was recovered by Ryan Wingrove with 1:35 remaining.
