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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green Doesn't Look Like 2003 Bunch
October 05, 2006 | Football
Oct. 3, 2006
Mark Znidar, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH - The last time Bowling Green played in Ohio Stadium, Ohio State needed an interception in the final minute to come away with a 24-17 victory.
The Falcons went on to win the Mid-American Conference West Division championship that year and defeat Northwestern in the Motor City Bowl.
Coach Gregg Brandon says the 2003 game against Ohio State is ancient history and that the current team bears little resemblance to that bunch, which included record-setting quarterback Josh Harris, receiver Cole Magner, linebacker Mitch Hewitt and defensive back Janssen Patton.
"That team we brought in there in '03 was a veteran team," Brandon said. "We had 23 seniors. ... Only five players remain from that team."
The Falcons are in a rebuilding mode and have played three quarterbacks because of injuries and a suspension. Ohio State, meanwhile, is ranked No. 1 in the nation.
"It's going to be a really big challenge for our football team, not just because of Ohio State but because of the youth of our football team," said Brandon, who will bring his team to Ohio Stadium on Saturday. "I've played 15 true freshmen this season. I challenge anyone in the country to say they've done that."
It has been a topsy-turvy ride for Bowling Green (3-2). There have been blowout losses to Wisconsin and Kent State, a narrow win over Florida International, an overtime victory over Buffalo and a solid win this past Saturday over Ohio University.
Playing the Buckeyes, Brandon has told his players, should be viewed an opportunity of a lifetime and not a chore. What he didn't tell them is the timing couldn't be worse. Next week, Bowling Green faces Eastern Michigan in a key MAC game.
"If you're playing a nonconference opponent you want to play them early and get the bugs out of your schemes," he said. "It seems our league gets saddled with some of these games (in midseason). You have to be a road warrior."
Ohio State (5-0), Brandon said, is loaded.
"They have no weak links," he said. "They just change the name on the back of their uniforms with the name of one great player for the name of another great player."
History lesson
Kent State coach Doug Martin used his experiences to caution his team about a letdown after victories over Miami University, Bowling Green and Akron. Kent State plays Temple, which has lost 17 straight games, on Saturday in Philadelphia.
In 2002, Martin was East Carolina's offensive coordinator in a 23-16 loss to Duke. The Blue Devils had dropped 23 straight games and were being compared to the worst Division I teams ever.
"We sat there and watched them tear the goalposts down," Martin said. "It was all over ESPN that night, and our players got to watch it for a good week. I said that we were in Temple's situation not too long ago, desperate for a win. We have a lot of things to play for. We're the last people who should be overconfident."
Kent State hasn't won a nonconference game against a Division I-A opponent since 1987.
Hold that line
Ohio University has scored three touchdowns the past three games, and coach Frank Solich pins some of the blame on the offensive line.
In the 21-9 loss to Bowling Green, the Bobcats rushed for 54 yards and gave up four sacks. "It's obvious when a team starts to struggle, it can happen up front," Solich said. "(Bowling Green) was bigger than us and stronger than us up front. We're capable of playing better with our up-front people. It doesn't just come back at them, though."
Sophomore Josh Leuck has been moved from defensive tackle to guard, but Solich said it would be awhile before he'll see action.
