Bowling Green State University Athletics
#23/25 Falcons Return Home To Face WMU
October 14, 2002 | Football
Oct. 14, 2002
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -
WESTERN MICHIGAN (2-4, 1-1)
at
#23/25 BOWLING GREEN (5-0, 2-0)
Saturday, October 19 - 6:00 p.m.Perry Stadium (30,599)
Series: BGSU leads, 28-14-3
Last Meeting: at WMU 37, BGSU 28 (Oct. 13, 2001)
Radio: WBVI-FM 96.7
Internet: www.bgsufalcons.com / wbvi.com
The Bowling Green State University football team is preparing for Saturday's (Oct. 19) Mid-American Conference West Division matchup with Western Michigan University. The game is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. at BGSU's Perry Stadium.
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FALCONS RANKED IN BOTH POLLS
For the first time in school history, BGSU is ranked in both of the two major polls. The Falcons are rated 23rd in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll and 25th by the Associated Press. The last time BGSU appeared in a major national poll was in December, 1985, when the Falcons were ranked 20th in the AP poll. BGSU was not in the coaches poll at the same time.
FALCONS LOOK TO END BRONCO STREAK
Western Michigan has won the last five meetings against BGSU dating back to 1995. Last year, WMU captured a 37-28 victory in Kalamazoo. BGSU will be the third ranked team the Broncos have played this season joining Virginia Tech and Michigan.
STREAKING
The win over Central Michigan gives the Falcons an eight-game winning streak dating back to last year. That is the longest for BGSU since the 1994 season when it captured nine straight contests. The Falcons have the third longest active winning streak in the country.
AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
The Falcons now lead the nation in scoring offense, averaging 50.6 points per game. Junior quarterback Josh Harris maintained his hold as the nation's top scorer at 15.6 points per game with three rushing TDs. He also leads the nation in points responsible for per game at 24.8. Harris also is 14th in total offense (289.0).
The Falcons have the nation's most balanced offense and are the only team in NCAA IA to average more than 240 yards rushing (254.6) and 240 yards passing (246.2).
The Falcons also are second in the nation in total offense (500.8), seventh in rushing (254.6) and11th in punting (38.9). Individually, sophomore kicker Shaun Suisham is 10th in the nation in scoring (10.6) and 14th in field goals (1.6).
CONTINUING A GOOD START
The Falcons will be looking to start 6-0 for the first time since BGSU won its first 11 games in 1985. BGSU also is looking to be 3-0 in the MAC for the first time since 1987.
MICHAEL JORDAN
The Falcons are 11-0 under Urban Meyer when the opposition is held to 23 points or less. BGSU also is 12-1 under Meyer when leading at the half.
ALL-AMERICAN CANDIDATE JOSH HARRIS
Urban Meyer moved quarterback Josh Harris into the starting lineup for the final three games of the 2001 season, and his performance since that time arguably should list the junior among the most dominant signal callers in the Mid-American Conference, if not the country. College Football News.com lists Harris as one of the top-10 players in the country this season. Consider these numbers during that eight-game span:
BGSU
8-0 record 502.4 yards per game of total offense 45.6 points per game Average margin of victory is 24.3 points Wins over Ohio (twice), Northwestern, Toledo, Missouri and Kansas
Harris
757 yards rushing, 15 TDs 1,875 yards passing, 15 TDs, 5 INT 58.5 completion percentage (133/227) 3 receptions, 62 yards, 3 TDS Two-time MAC Divisional Player of the Week Three-time MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week NCAA I-A Player of the Week (at Northwestern)
Against Central Michigan
Rushed for a season-high 138 yards, 60 in the fourth quarter, on 22 carries Scored a career-best three rushing TDs on the ground Completed 18 of 33 passes for 176 yards and a TD His 23-yard TD run with 2:22 left sealed the game
Season to Date
396 yards rushing, 11 TDs 73/132, 1,049 yards passing, 7 TDs 289.0 yards of total offense per game Ranked 1st in the country in scoring (15.6) Ranked 10th in the country in pass effic. (153.3) Ranked 13th in the country in total offense (289.0)
#5 WAS #1
Harris was the only NCAA I-A player last season to pass for, receive and rush for a touchdown in a single game in 2001. Harris turned the trick in the Falcons' 43-42 win at Northwestern.
THE REDD ZONE
Senior wide receiver Robert Redd was named MAC West Division Player of the Week for his 10 catch, 209 yard effort against Missouri. He was selected as the "Most Dangerous Player" in the Sporting News' Conference Call. He needs 26 receptions and 473 yards to become the Falcons' all-time leader in both categories. He also needs five TD receptions to break the BGSU single-season and career marks.
BGSU IN GOOD COMPANY
BGSU was one of six Division IA schools in the country last year to win at least eight games in football and 24 games in men's basketball. (Oklahoma, Miami (Fla.), Illinois, Maryland, Hawaii, BGSU).
KEY TO THE TURNAROUND
BGSU has won 13 of 16 games under Urban Meyer in large part because of their ability to stop the run (BGSU was second in the nation allowing just five rushing TDs in 2001 and fourth nationally in rushing defense) and their ability to hold on to the football (just seven fumbles lost in 1,196 offensive plays). BGSU was third in the nation in turnover margin in 2001.
EVERYBODY IS BACK ON THE COACHING STAFF
The Falcons enjoy an advantage few teams have. Their entire coaching staff has returned in tact for the 2002 season. The list includes both coordinators, all full-time coaches, two graduate assistants and the team's strength and conditioning coach.
FOUR IN THE NFL
BGSU saw four members of its 2001 defense sign NFL free agent contracts last spring. NG Brandon Hicks (Indianapolis), DE Ryan Wingrove (Atlanta Falcons), DE Chris Glantzis (Detroit Lions), and LB Khary Campbell (Dallas Cowboys) all were in training camp this summer. Hicks is currently with the Colts practice squad, while Campbell was recently signed by the New York Jets.
