Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU 27, #16 Purdue 26
September 06, 2003 | Football
Sept. 6, 2003
Recap| Final Stats| Quotes| Photo Gallery
Since the 2001 season, BGSU is 6-0 vs. BCS-affiliated schools, including a 4-0 record on the road.
BGSU also is 2-0 at Big Ten facilities in that time span, having won at Northwestern (43-42, 2001).
For the fifth time in six games vs. BCS competition, BGSU held its opponent to under 100 yards rushing when Purdue rushed for 95 yards on 28 carries. (Missouri, 76 yds., 2001/Temple, 29 yds., 2001/Missouri, 55 yds., 2002/Kansas, 89 yds., 2002).
This is BGSU's second win over a nationally-ranked opponent. The Falcons also defeated #18 Purdue (17-14) in the season-opener in 1972 (Sept. 16, 1972).
This win was BGSU's second 4th-quarter comeback win against a Big Ten opponent. The Falcons trailed Northwestern 28-14 entering the 4th quarter in 2001 and were down 24-20 today vs. Purdue.
The average length that BGSU had to march down the field in their three TD drives was 78 yards.
Josh Harris Notes
Josh Harris is the first non-BCS quarterback to win five-straight games against BCS-affiliated schools. Harris has started for BGSU in wins over Temple, Northwestern, Missouri, Kansas, and Purdue.
Harris had his third 300-plus yard passing effort and was 22-of-40 for 357 yards and three TDs. Harris' career-best effort was a 402-yard performance at Northwestern. In two games against the Big Ten, Harris has completed 52-of-87 passes for 759 yards and six TDs.
Josh Harris 77-yard pass to James Hawkins in second quarter was longest completion of his career.
Harris moved beyond the 4,000 career-passing yardage mark with his 357 yards vs. Purdue. Harris now has 4,312 career passing yards.
Other BGSU Player Notes...
Cole Magner had a career-high eight receptions for 127 yards and one TD.
Charles Sharon's 32-yard, game-winning TD catch was the second-longest of his career and capped an 81-yard drive.
James Hawkins 77-yard reception in second quarter was the longest of his career.
Pass play from Josh Harris to James Hawkins was second-longest non-scoring pass play in school history.
James Hawkins (106 yards) had his second-straight 100-yard effort of the season and third of his career.
The last time BGSU had two receivers with 100-plus yards receiving in a game was vs. Missouri on Sept. 14, 2002 (Robert Redd-209 and James Hawkins-112).
Shaun Suisham 47-yard field goal in second quarter was a career-long. Previous high was 43 yards vs. Tennessee Tech in 2002. It was his first multiple-field goal game of the season.
Cornelius McGrady had his first multiple-reception game of his career.
Daniel Sayles had a career-high eight tackles, while Keon Newson had a team-high nine tackles with a forced fumble.
Nate Fry hit six punts for an average of 39.5 yards, including a long of 53.
