Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Head Up The Road To Eastern Michigan
October 14, 2003 | Football
Oct. 14, 2003
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ESPN2 Picks up BGSU/NIU Game
The Bowling Green vs. Northern Illinois football game on Oct. 25 will be broadcasted nationally by ESPN2 at 4 p.m. (EST) from Doyt Perry Stadium. The ESPN2 broadcast will be the FIRST-EVER NATIONALLY TELEVISED GAME THAT HAS ORIGINATED FROM BGSU'S PERRY STADIUM . The Falcons, who also will appear on ESPN2 on November 4 when they travel to Miami, will make its first national television appearance since the final game of the 2000 season when BGSU played at Toledo on Thanksgiving Eve.
In The Nation
The Falcons are rated 27th in the AP poll, 20th by The Sporting News, 17th by Collegefootball news.com and 29th by the coaches. 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 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).
Magner Rated #2 Receiver in the Nation
BGSU receiver Cole Magner (2nd), quarterback Josh Harris (8th) and running back P.J. Pope (26th) are ranked this week among the best at their position by CBSsportsline.com. Magner is second behind only USC's Mike Williams in the rankings, despite having the same totals of yards and yards per game, and more touchdowns (nine) and total receptions (46) than Williams. Harris is ranked just ahead of Mississippi's Eli Manning and just behind Tulane's J.P. Losman.
