Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Go On The Road To Western Michigan
October 06, 2003 | Football
Oct. 6, 2003
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DEFENSE IS BACK ON TOP
In 2001, the BGSU defense was the top ranked unit in the MAC overall, in rushing defense and in scoring defense. This year, BGSU is first in total defense (303.0) and scoring defense (13.8). The Falcons also rank second in the league in pass defense (168.6), rushing defense (130.8), and pass defense efficiency (113.2).
A DEFINING WEEK FOR BGSU
The Falcons, who lead the MAC in total offense (520.0) and total defense (303.0), will battle a team in Western Michigan that is coming off two impressive MAC road wins and will close the league season with four of its final six conference games at home. BGSU has a 13-7-1 overall mark when it has visited Kalamazoo, but will be looking for its first win in Waldo Stadium since the 1991 season.
IN THE NATION
The Falcons were rated 26th in the AP poll, 23rd by The Sporting News, 17th by Collegefootball news.com and 32nd by the coaches. The Falcons are rated second in the country in total offense (520.0), sixth in passing offense (342.0), ninth in scoring offense (38.4), 10th in passing efficiency (153.2), and 11th in scoring defense (13.8). Senior QB Josh Harris is 12th in the country in total offense (304.4) and junior wide receiver Cole Magner is 13th in receptions per game (7.0).
HARRIS REACHES MILESTONE
With his 298 yards passing against Central Michigan, senior quarterback Josh Harris has surpassed the 5,000-yard plateau and currently has thrown for 5,064 yards. Only three players in school history have reached the 6,000-yard mark (Brian McClure-10,280; Rich Dackin-6,862; and Erik White- 6,072).
Harris' 36 career TD tosses ties him with Dackin for fourth on the school's all-time list, while his 35 TDs scored rank second (Dave Preston scored 41 from 1973-76).
With his 376 yards of total offense against CMU, Harris moved into second place on the school's all-time list with 6,855 yards. Brian McClure is the all-time leader with 9,774 yards from 1982-85.
TRIO CLOSE IN ON 1,000 YARD MARK
Two wide receivers and a running back are closing in on the 1,000-yard mark in their careers. Twenty-eight Falcons have rushed for more than 1,000 yards in their career, while 21 players have amassed more than 1,000 yards receiving.
Junior wide receiver Cole Magner has caught 74 passes for 992 yards.
Junior wide receiver James Hawkins has caught 68 passes for 948 yards.
Sophomore running back P.J. Pope has carried the ball 175 times for 973 yards.
STREAKS AND SUCH
The Falcons have won their last nine games in which they have had a player rush for more than 100 yards in a game.
The Falcons have won their last eight games when they held an opponent below 100 yards rushing.
The Falcons have eight games since 2001 where they have amassed 500 yards or more of total offense.
BGSU has won 16 of its last 20 games since late in the 2001 season.
BGSU has received votes in a major top 25 poll in 14 of the last 21 polls dating back to the end of the 2001 season.
BGSU has won 10 straight games at Perry Stadium, the longest current home-field win streak in the MAC. In those nine home games, the Falcons have scored a total of 517 points, an average of 51.7 per game ... BGSU has scored over 60 points in four of those games, including in each of the last three home contests.
In the last two meetings with Western Michigan, the Falcons have averaged 222.5 yards rushing, while the Broncos have thrown for an average of 330.5 yards per game.
In their last meeting at Kalamazoo, the Broncos defense provided the margin of victory with a fumble recovery in the end zone and a TD return on an interception.
Last year, the Falcons returned the favor when Janssen Patton returned an interception 12-yards to give BGSU its first lead at 42-35 with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
