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Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU vs. Oklahoma
September 04, 2004 | Football
Sept. 4, 2004
Recap |  Final Stats |  Quotes
The Falcons begin their 86th season of football. BGSU dropped a season-opener for the first time since 2000 (Michigan, 42-7). By appearing on ABC television, the Falcons have seen their last four games appear on national television, a MAC first. Second-ranked Oklahoma is the highest ranked team BGSU has ever faced. On the first drive of the game, fifth-year senior Todd DiBacco had his first career receptions. It also was his first career start. The BGSU offensive line did not allow a sack to an Oklahoma unit which posted 45 sacks a season again. In addition, sophomore quarterback Omar Jacobs, redshirt freshman LG Kory Lichtensteiger, junior cornerback Terrill Mayberry, sophomore defensive tackle Brad Williams, and redshirt freshman defensive back Deaudre Perry made their first career starts. Redshirt freshmen Loren Hargrove, Sean O'Drobinak, Bryan Jackosn, Patrick Watson, Drew Nystrom and sophomore Derrick Markray all saw their first career action as well. Senior Keon Newson forced a first quarter fumble after leading the MAC in that category with six last year. He also scored his first career TD with a 28-yard interception return in the fourth quarter. It was BGSU's first defensive touchdown since October 19, 2002 when Janssen Patton returned an interception for a TD against Western Michigan. Both turnovers led directly to 14 BGSU points and Newson's INT was the fifth of his career. Junior Charles Sharon had his 14th career TD reception on an 18-yard strike from Jacobs and his 15th career TD on a 16-yard TD catch in the fourth quarter. He finished with four catches for 54 yards. Jacobs was 24 of 41 for 218 yards and two TDs in his first ever start for the Falcons. Junior Steve Sanders had five catches for 72 yards and senior Cole Magner also had five receptions for 20 yards. Junior P.J. Pope led the Falcons with six catches for 46 yards. He also rushed for 29 yards. Senior Shaun Suisham tied his career-long with a 47-yard field goal in the second quarter. He had a previous 47-yard effort last year against Purdue. Senior linebacker Jovon Burkes led the Falcons with 12 tackles and added a pass breakup. Newson added 10 stops and a pass breakup. Sophomore Terrel White had a career-high nine tackles. Junior linebacker Teddy Piepkow also had nine stops. Senior linebacker Daniel Sayles and junior cornerback Terrill Mayberry each had seven tackles. Junior defensive end Mitchell Crossley had six tackles and two QB hurries and senior DE Ryan Newble had a forced fumble. The crowd over 84,319 was the largest ever to witness a sporting event in the state of Oklahoma. The Falcons played just one true freshman, TE Peter Winovich, compared to 2001 when they played five against Missouri in their season opener (Magner, Hawkins, Sayles, Newson, T.J. Carswell).
