Bowling Green State University Athletics
#16/20 Falcons Head To NIU In West Division Battle For First Place
November 04, 2002 | Football
Nov. 4, 2002
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -
# 16/20 Bowling Green (8-0, 5-0 MAC)
at
Northern Illinois (6-3, 5-0 MAC)
Saturday, November 92:35 p.m. EST
Huskie Stadium (31,000)
Series Record: BGSU leads 9-3
Last Meeting: BGSU 34, at NIU 23 (11/21/98)
Radio: WBVI-FM (96.7)
Internet: www.bgsufalcons.com / wbvi.com
Live TV: Fox Sports Ohio/ESPN Game Plan
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MAC WEST LEAD UP FOR GRABS
The Bowling Green State University football team, looking to remain unbeaten, travels to DeKalb, Ill., for Saturday's (Nov. 9) important MAC West Division contest vs. Northern Illinois University. Saturday's game between the Falcons and Huskies will play a pivotal role in deciding the 2002 MAC West Champion. BGSU and NIU are 5-0 in the MAC, while Toledo is 3-1 heading into the final four weeks of the season. All three teams have head-to-head showdowns with each other among their remaining games. BGSU plays on the road at NIU and Toledo, NIU hosts both BG and UT, while the Rockets host BGSU, but visit NIU.
FALCONS RANKED IN BOTH POLLS
For the first time in school history, BGSU is ranked in both of the two major polls for a fourth consecutive week. The Falcons are rated 16th in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll and 20th by the Associated Press. The Falcons' #16 slot in the coaches poll is their highest major college rating ever. The Falcons were ranked 20th in the AP poll in December, 1985.
STREAKING
The win over Kent State gives the Falcons a 11-game winning streak dating back to last year. That is the longest for BGSU since the 1991-92 seasons when it also won 11 in a row. The Falcons have the second longest active winning streak in the country.
PACK YOUR BAGS
If the Falcons are going to win the MAC Championship, they will have to do it away from home. BGSU closes out the season with four of its final five games on the road. Dating back to last year, BGSU has won six straight games on its opponent's home field.
AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
Junior QB Josh Harris is the national leader in points responsible for (22.7) and is second in the country in scoring (12.0) and 13th in total offense (279.25). Senior RB Joe Alls leads the nation in yards per carry by a running back at 7.6. The Falcons have the nation's most balanced offense and are the only team in NCAA IA to average more than 230 yards rushing (252.9) and 230 yards passing (238.0). The Falcons also are second in the nation in scoring (47.4), fourth in total offense (490.9), seventh in rushing (252.9) and 12th in turnover margin (1.13). Individually, sophomore K Shaun Suisham is 17th in the nation in scoring (9.5) and is one of five kickers who have not missed a field goal this season.
FALCONS ARE ONE OF FOUR UNBEATENS
The Falcons are one of four teams in Division IA that remain unbeaten. BGSU joins Oklahoma, Miami and Ohio State as the only unblemished teams in the country. Three of the four have ties to BGSU AD Paul Krebs. Krebs previously was the ticket manager at Oklahoma and was an associate athletic director at Ohio State.
BGSU WEEKLY NATIONAL RANKINGS
Week (USA Today/ESPN, AP) 10/13 23, 25 10/20 22, 24 10/27 18, 21 11/3 16, 20
ALL-AMERICAN CANDIDATE JOSH HARRIS
Junior quarterback Josh Harris has elevated himself into one of the top quarterbacks in the country. CNNSI.com recognized him as a mid-season All-American, collegefootballnews. com lists him as one of the top 10 players in the country, and The Sporting News names him as the mid-season MAC Offensive Player of the Year. Here is a look at his numbers since becoming the Falcons' #1 QB late last year.
THE FALCONS * 11-0 record * 495.7 yards per game of total offense * 45.2 points per game * Average margin of victory: 20.9 points * Wins include Northwestern, Missouri, Western Michigan, Toledo, and KansasHARRIS IN THOSE 11 GAMES * 896 yards rushing, 18 TDs * 2,525 yards passing, 22 TDs, 8 INT * 58.5 completion percentage (190/325) * 3 receptions, 62 yards, 3 TDs * Three-time MAC Divisional Player of the Week * Three-time MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week * NCAA I-A Player of the Week (at Northwestern)
LAST WEEK AGAINST KENT STATE * Completed 18 of 24 passes for 201 yards and 2 TDs * Ran 11 times for 19 yards and a TD
THIS YEAR * 535 yards rushing, 14 TDs * 130/222 passing, 1,699 yards, 14 TDs * Leads the nation in points responsible for (22.7) * Ranked 2nd in the country in scoring (12.0) * Ranked 13th in the country in total offense (279.3)
CAREER FIRSTS
Freshman running back P.J. Pope had his first career TD reception, a 30-yard screen, and freshman cornerback Jelani Jordan had his first career interception at Kent State.
