Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Football Ready for Ohio
November 05, 2001 | Football
Nov. 5, 2001
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A NEW ERA
First-year Bowling Green State University football coach Urban Meyer is the 15th person to lead the Falcon football program. An Ohio native, he brings 15 years of experience as a Division I assistant and has coached in seven bowl games. He most recently was the receivers coach at Notre Dame after serving on staffs at Ohio State, Illinois State and Colorado State. Meyer was tabbed as the MAC's Midseason Coach of the Year by ESPN.com. Meyer entered the 2001 campaign as the second youngest head coach on the NCAA I-A level, while OU Coach Brian Knorr is the fourth youngest
BEST IN THE MAC
The Falcons rush defense (68.5), scoring defense (19.0), and turnover margin (.88) are tops in the conference. Joe Alls is the league's top kick returner (27.0) and Robert Redd leads in punt returns (12.0).
STRENGTH AGAINST STRENGTH
The MAC's top rush defense (BGSU, 68.5) meets the top rushing offense (OU-260.6) The Falcons have held 13 of its last 18 opponents under 100 yards rushing.
LOOK AT THE IMPROVEMENT
BGSU is one of the most improved programs of the 2001 campaign not only in the MAC, but in the country. The Falcons have shown the league's biggest improvement in wins (+3), scoring offense (+11.3) and scoring defense (-7.3). A win at Ohio or Northwestern also would give BGSU three victories on the road for the first time since 1995.
END OF AN ERA (A SHORT ONE)
Saturday's game will mark the Falcons final divisional game as a member of the MAC's East Division. Next year, BGSU will move to the West, while Central Florida will join the East and become the 14th football-playing school in the conference. The Falcons have been in the East Division since the conference expanded in 1997.
THE FALCONS AND BOBCATS
This will be the 54th meeting between the two school's since the series began in 1945. BGSU holds a 30-21 advantage, but has seen the Bobcats win four of the five previous meetings. BGSU will be looking to post its first win in Athens since 1993.
LONGEST CONTINUING RIVALS
Ohio is one of four BGSU opponents that have appeared on the Falcons schedule for at least 50 consecutive years.
Kent State 56 (1946) Toledo 54 (1948) Miami 52 (1950) Ohio 51 (1951)
