Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcon Footbal Travels To Central Michigan
October 07, 2002 | Football
Oct. 7, 2002
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Bowling Green (4-0, 1-0) at Central Michigan (3-2, 1-0)
Saturday, October 12, 1 p.m.
Kelly/Shorts Stadium (30,199)
Series Record: BGSU leads 18-16
Last Meeting: at BGSU 31, Central Michigan 7 (10/30/99)
Radio: WBVI-FM (96.7) Internet: www.bgsufalcons.com / wbvi.com
ROAD SUCCESS
The Bowling Green State University football team will put its 4-0 record on the line when it visits Central Michigan. This will be the first trip to Kelly/Shorts Stadium for BGSU since 1995. The Falcons are 2-8 against the Chippewas in Mt. Pleasant since 1976.
The Falcons have won four straight road games (Akron, Ohio, Northwestern, Kansas) dating back to last season.
NATIONAL RANKINGS
The Falcons are ranked 26th in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll and 32nd in the Associated Press poll entering the CMU game. The last time BGSU appeared in a major national poll was in December, 1985, when the Falcons were ranked 20th in the AP poll.
STREAKING
The win over Ohio gives the Falcons a seven-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
Following their 72-point explosion against Ohio, the Falcons now lead the nation in scoring offense, averaging 50.8 points per game. Junior quarterback Josh Harris maintained his hold as the nation's top scorer at 15 points per game with two rushing TDs. He also leads the nation in points responsible for per game at 25. Harris also is the 10th rated passer in the country (153.33) and is 13th in total offense (282.75).
The Falcons also are second in the nation in total offense (525.0), fifth in rushing (261.25), sixth in punting (40.9), 10th in rush defense (93.75), 20th in turnover margin (1.25), 22nd in scoring defense (18.0) and 24th in total defense (300.75).
Individually, sophomore kicker Shaun Suisham is seventh in the nation in scoring (11.0) and 11th in field goals (1.75). Senior wide receiver Robert Redd is 17th in the country in receiving yards per game (102.25), 20th in receptions (6.0) and 30th in the nation in scoring (9.0).
CONTINUING A GOOD START
The Falcons will be looking to start 5-0 for the first time since BGSU won its first 11 games in 1985.
MICHAEL JORDAN
The Falcons are 11-0 under Urban Meyer when the opposition is held to 23 points or less.
HARRIS NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK
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. Harris currently is the top-rated quarterback in the MAC (153.33). Consider these numbers during that seven-game span:
BGSU 7-0 record 516.4 yards per game of total offense 45.6 points per game Average margin of victory is 26.4 points Wins over Ohio (twice), Northwestern, Toledo, Missouri and KansasHarris 619 yards rushing, 12 TDs 1699 yards passing, 14 TDs, 4 INT 60.1 completion percentage (115/189) 3 receptions, 62 yards, 3 TD Two-time MAC Divisional Player of the Week Two-time MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week NCAA I-A Player of the Week (at Northwestern)
Against Ohio Named MAC West Offensive Player of the Week after he led the Falcons to 692 yards of total offense ... responsible for six touchdowns ... completed 19 of 24 passes for 297 yards and 4 TDs ... also rushed 15 times for 75 yards and 2 TDs.
Season to Date 258 yards rushing, 8 TDs 55/94, 873 yards passing, 6 TDs 282.8 yards of total offense per game Ranked 1st in the country in scoring (15.0) Ranked 10th in the country in pass effic. (153.3) Ranked 13th in the country in total offense (282.75)
