Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Host Rockets on Friday With Possible Bowl Berth on the Line
November 19, 2007 | Football
Nov. 19, 2007
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -
GAME #12
Toledo at Bowling Green
Nov. 23, 2007 • Doyt L. Perry Stadium, 2:30 p.m.
RECORDS: BGSU 7-4, 5-2 MAC // Toledo 5-6, 3-4 MAC
RADIO: BGSU Radio Network - Todd Walker and Cal Bowers
WBGU (88.1): Ryan Gasser and Alex Mikos
TV: ESPNU • Same Gore (Play-by-Play) Jim Hofher (Analyst)
For Tickets Call 1-877-BGSU-TICKET
Bowling Green Football Notes versus Toledo (38 pages)
The Bowling Green State University football team will play host to its fellow I-75 arch-rival Toledo Rockets this Friday in the annual battle for the Peace Pipe. The Falcons, who are currently 7-4 overall and 5-2 in Mid-American Conference play (4-2 in the East Division), will battle the Rockets (5-6, 3-4 MAC), with a possible bowl berth on the line for BGSU.
Falcons Buck Bulls In Buffalo, 31-17
Bowling Green extended its win streak to three games with a 31-17 win over the Buffalo Bulls last Saturday afternoon in Buffalo, New York. Tyler Sheehan was 20-of-29 passing for 248 yards and two touchdowns, while also recording a 25 yard touchdown reception from Anthony Turner on the Falcons' opening drive of the second half. Turner also pitched in with 97 yards on the ground (on 22 carries) with one score and had four receptions for 37 yards as well. Freddie Barnes set new career-best in receptions (10) and yards (113) in the win.
A Falcon Win Would...
• Move BGSU to 8-4 overall and 6-2 in conference play, doubling their win totals from all of last year.
• Make the Falcons the only team in the conference to win at least eight games.
• Give BGSU their first 6-2 conference finish since the 2004 season that saw the Falcons advance to the GMAC Bowl.
• Give the Falcons their first four game win streak since the 2004 season.
• Snap a three game losing streak versus Toledo.
A Falcon Loss Would...
• Give the Falcons a 7-5 overall and 5-3 conference record. The seven wins would still be as many as any other team in the conference.
• Mean the current BGSU senior class would be 0-4 versus Toledo.
• Be a fourth straight loss to Toledo and would make 10 losses in the teams' last 13 contests.
Battle For The Peace Pipe
The Peace Pipe is a traveling award that goes to the winner of the annual gridiron battle between Bowling Green and Toledo. The Peace Pipe tradition actually began on the basketball court during the 1947-48 season. At that time, the teams exchanged a six-foot long wooden peace pipe. The original basketball Peace Pipe disappeared, so, in 1980 the Peace Pipe was reinstated for football with former UT football player Frank Kralik creating the present trophy. Today's Peace Pipe is a smaller version of the original pipe, resting atop a trophy.
Bowling Green Going Bowling?
At 7-4 overall and 5-2 in the Mid-American Conference, the Bowling Green football team could be looking at their first bowl game since the 2004 season. The MAC, who has three Bowl guarantees (Motor City, GMAC and International) can only have five teams even finish with bowl eligibility (6 wins). The Falcons have the opportunity to be the only team in the MAC to finish with eight wins and a win over Toledo would give the Falcons six wins in conference, something only two other MAC teams can accomplish.
The Comeback Kid
While still very young in his Falcon career, QB Tyler Sheehan has already emerged as a clutch quarterback, leading the Falcons to two fourth quarter comebacks this season.
• Trailing 24-21 with 2:12 to go in the Falcons' season opener versus Minnesota Sheehan drove the Falcons down the field, completing five passes to get the Falcons a 35-yard field goal attempt, which Vrvilo made.
• On Nov. 9 versus Eastern Michigan the Falcons trailed 32-31 with 6:15 to go in the fourth quarter. Sheehan and the Falcons drove 61 yards for a BGSU touchdown in 2:21, while never forcing themselves into a third down.
Quarterback Connection
To begin the 2006 season Freddie Barnes started at quarterback versus Wisconsin. Anthony Turner then started the last 11 contests at the QB position, by Tyler Sheehan also saw action behind center in four games. Now, all three QBs from the 2006 season have much different roles. Sheehan has excelled as the Falcons' starting QB, throwing for nearly 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. Barnes, who is now the Falcons' top receiving threat lead the team in receptions (72), yards (825) and touchdowns (8). Turner, who has assumed a "slash" role for the Falcons, is 3-for-4 passing for 54 yards and two touchdowns, has 405 yards on the ground (averaging 4.9 a carry) and eight touchdowns, and has 14 receptions for 137 yards and one score.
