Bowling Green State University Athletics
Balanced Falcons Making Their Mark Nationally
October 12, 2003 | Football
Oct. 12, 2003
Bowling Green, Ohio - First-year BGSU Coach Greg Brandon knows the recipe for success in competing for the MAC West Championship will require a balance of each ingredient (offense, defense, kicking game) on the Falcon football team. At the midway point of the 2003 season, that appears to be working.
The Falcons are rated among the upper third of Division IA programs in nine team categories and in eight individual ratings.
The BGSU defense, which held the nation's second-rated passing unit to 57 yards passing in helping the Falcons build a 19-0 halftime lead on the road at Western Michigan, is 13th in the nation in scoring defense (15.0) and the 26th ranked squad in total defense (317.0). Both figures lead the MAC. In addition, the Falcons are 34th against the rush (118.5) and 35th in pass defense (198.5). Senior cornerback Janssen Patton is seventh in the country in interceptions (4) and punter Nate Fry is 36th overall averaging 42.0 yards per punt.
The Falcons are rated second nationally in total offense with a MAC leading total of 518.3 yards per game. BGSU is sixth in passing (332.8), 10th in passing efficiency (150.6), 12th in scoring (37.3) and 28th in rushing (185.5). Individually, junior Cole Magner is fifth in the country in receptions (7.7) and sixth in receiving yards per game (105.2). Senior quarterback Josh Harris is eighth nationally in total offense (310.83) and 23rd in pass efficiency (142.9). Junior kicker Shaun Suisham is 32nd in field goals made (1.3 per game) and 32nd in scoring (8.3).
