Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Battle Rockets For The Peace Pipe
November 15, 2004 | Football
Nov. 15, 2004
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#24/25 Bowling Green (8-2, 6-1) at Toledo (7-3, 6-1) Tuesday, November 23 - 7 p.m. TV: ESPN2 Glass Bowl (26,248) Series Record: BGSU leads 36-28-4 Last Meeting: at BGSU 31, Toledo 23 (11/29/03)
First and Ten
For the third time in five years, the ESPN family of networks will show the battle for the Peace Pipe. This year's game will be on ESPN2.
The Falcons have clinched their fourth straight 8+ win season for the first time in school history.
BGSU is rated 24th in this week's ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, 25th in the AP Poll, and 25th by the BCS, the third straight season that BGSU has been nationally ranked by both major polls.
BGSU holds a 34-26-8 lead in the series. The home team has won each of the last six meetings, while the Falcons are looking for their first win in the Glass Bowl since 1994 (BGSU 31-16).
Sophomore quarterback Omar Jacobs, who is a candidate for the Vern Smith Award (MAC MVP), is currently the national leader in TD passes (32)and points responsible for (21.6). He is second in total offense (348.0), passing yards (3,222), third in passing efficiency (172.4) and fourth in completions per game (24.7). He also has thrown just three interceptions in 358 attempts and has been sacked only five times.
The Falcons are the top team in the MAC (3rd in the nation) in total offense averaging 496.4 yards per game and are converting on a league-high 50 % on third down.
BGSU leads the MAC (second in the nation) averaging 327.7 yards in the air and 43.9 points per game (4th nationally). BG has the stingiest defense in the league (27th in the nation) allowing 19.8 points.
BGSU is second in the nation in fewest turnovers committed. BGSU leads the MAC and is fifth nationally in turnover margin at +1.30 per game. The Falcons have picked off six passes in the last two games.
Senior defensive back Keon Newson is the Falcons' most disruptive defender and had his second interception return for a TD this season with a 42-yard effort against Marshall. For his career, he has 11 forced fumbles, eight interceptions, four fumble recoveries and four kick blocks.
Senior kicker Shaun Suisham, a Lou Groza Award semifinalist, needs four extra points to break the all-time NCAA IA record for PATs made (214/221). Nebraska's Kris Brown made 217 extra points from 1995-98.
The Best Race Ever
With one week to go in the MAC season, five teams boast 6-1 records. The winner of the Miami at Akron game will represent the East Division at the MAC Championship, December 2 in Detroit. The West Division representative will be Bowling Green ( if NIU loses at Eastern Michigan and BGSU beats Toledo), Toledo (if they beat BGSU) or Northern Illinois (if they beat EMU and BGSU beats Toledo). Only the championship game winner is guaranteed a berth in the Motor City or GMAC Bowl. BGSU does have the best overall record in the MAC at 8-2, while UT, Miami and NIU are 7-3 and Akron is 6-4.
Magic Numbers
BGSU has won 17 games in a row when holding an opponent below 100 yards rushing and captured 17 straight games when accumulating 500 yards or more of total offense. Junior running back P.J. Pope has rushed for a TD in seven straight games and has rushed for 451 yards on 56 carries (8.0 average) and six TDs in the last three games. During his career, BGSU is 8-0 when Pope rushes for more than 100 yards in a game. BGSU has outscored its opponents 146-20 in the first quarter this season. In addition, the Falcons are allowing opponents just 16.3 points per game in the last seven games and 2.9 yards per rush during that time. BGSU has scored 21 points or more in a quarter seven times this season and has four drives this season for TDs of 90-yards or more. The Falcons have scored 37 non-offensive points this season with two interception returns for TDs, two safeties, a fumble return, a punt return and a kick return.
Falcon Defense Steps Up
While the BGSU offense has deservedly received its share of accolades, the BGSU defensive unit has been overlooked during the Falcons during the 2004 season.
The Falcons have allowed just 20 first quarter points all season and have allowed BGSU to maintain an average halftime lead this season of 27-9.
The Falcons lead the league in scoring defense (19.8), pass defense efficiency (107.8), turnover margin (+1.30), and red-zone defense (68.6).
BGSU is allowing just 98.4 yards rushing in the last seven games and 2.9 yards per carry.
The Falcons have had 11 players record sacks including sophomore Devon Parks and junior Matt Leininger who have four in the last seven games.
The Falcons have two interception returns for scores by senior Keon Newson, a fumble return for a score by junior Mitchell Crossley and two safeties.
BGSU has had interceptions from six different players.
Senior middle linebacker Jovon Burkes, a two-year captain is the heart and soul of the Falcons. He has played the majority of the season with a broken thumb and lead sthe team with 73 tackles. Junior linebacker Teddy Piepkow has 66 tackles and has picked off passes in each of the last two games. Senior strong safety Keon Newson led the MAC in forced fumbles with six last year and has 63 tackles. Of junior defensive tackle Matt Leininger's 16 tackles this season, 8.5 have been behind the line of scrimmage.
