Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Defeat Ball State, 40-31
September 11, 2005 | Football
Sept. 11, 2005
Recap | Final Stats | Quotes
Muncie, Indiana - The following are some post-game notes following the Falcons' 40-31 victory at Ball State on September 10...
BGSU won its MAC opener on the road for the first time since 1996. BGSU has now scored 40 points or more in eight straight games dating back to last season.
The Falcons lead the MAC East with a 1-0 record. Miami, the only other East Division team to play a conference game, lost at home to Central Michigan, 38-37, on Saturday.
This was the seventh fourth quarter comeback away from home for BGSU since the 2001 season.
2001--Missouri, Akron, Northwestern 2002--Kansas, Central Michigan 2003--Purdue, Northwestern (at Motor City Bowl) 2005--Ball State
The Falcons improved to 34-1 since 2001 when leading after three quarters.
Senior wide receiver Charles Sharon caught a career-high nine passes and had 121 yards and two TDs. It was his ninth 100+yard effort of his career (third all-time at BGSU). With his two TD catches, he now has 31 for his career, which also is fourth all-time in MAC history. He now has 2,659 career receiving yards and needs 68 yards to break the school record of 2,726 set by Robert Redd from 1998-2002.
The Falcons had a streak of eight straight games of scoring on its first possession snapped when they went three and out in the first series against the Cardinals.
Senior Steve Sanders recovered an onsides kick after Ball State took a 7-0 lead, which set up the Falcons first score. He caught seven passes for 118 yards and two scores. It was his seventh game (fifth all-time at BGSU) above 100 yards receiving in his career. His 25-yard TD catch in the fourth quarter gave the Falcons the lead for good.
Junior quarterback Omar Jacobs completed 27 of 43 passes for 428 yards and 5 TDs. He now has tied Brian McClure with three career games above 400 yards. It also marked the fourth time in five games that Jacobs has thrown for his career-high five scores. With 55 career TD passes, he is now tied for ninth all-time in MAC history with former teammate Josh Harris.
This year, he has completed 57 of 94 passes for 886 yards and 10 TDs (2 INT). In 10 career MAC games, he has thrown 31 TDs and just two picks.
Nine times in 17 possessions, the Falcon defense held the Cardinals to less than 10 yards and forced a punt or turnover. After regaining the lead, the Falcons forced two Ball State punts and intercepted two passes.
Senior running back P.J. Pope missed his first career game due to injury. Fellow senior B.J. Lane started his second straight game and rushed for 74 yards on 23 carries and had two catches for 14 yards. True freshman Bobby Thomas had 39 yards on seven carries and caught two passes for 28 yards.
Sophomore defensive end Brandon Mack had the Falcons' first sack of the season in the second quarter.
In the first half, BGSU had 17 first downs, while Ball State could only manage four first downs.
Senior wide receiver Derrick Lett made his first career start and had a season-long 59 yard reception. He tied his career-high with 66 yards receiving.
Junior tight end Ruben Ruiz had his first career reception, a 31-yard effort in the third quarter. He also made his first career start.
Senior Tim Arnold, a former defensive back, started at linebacker in place of Teddy Piepkow. Arnold responded with an eight tackle performance.
Sophomore tight end Sean O'Drobinak caught his first career TD reception, a four-yard pass from Jacobs.
Freshman cornerback Antonio Smith had a 47-yard interception return for a TD on his first career interception.
Junior linebacker Terrel White had a team-high 10 tackles.
Senior linebacker Teddy Piepkow had his first sack of the season.
Sophomore safety Deaudre Perry had his first career interception. He had seven tackles, a TFL and a pass deflection.
Senior cornerback Jelani Jordan had a team-high five solo tackles.
Junior Jon Jakubowski had a career-high five tackles.
With 554 yards of total offense, BGSU is 19-2 when accumulating 500 or more yards of offense since the 2001 season.
Senior Nate Fry had six punts for a 38.8 yard average.
Jacobs hit five different receivers for plays of more than 20 yards:
59--Lett 55--Sharon 47--Sanders 31--Ruiz 20--Thomas
