Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Host RedHawks in Crucial MAC East Contest
October 14, 2008 | Football
Oct. 14, 2008
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -
Game #7
Bowling Green (3-3, 1-1 MAC) vs. Miami RedHawks (1-5, 0-2, MAC)
Oct. 18, 2008 • Bowling Green, Ohio (Doyt Perry Stadium) • Noon
TV:ESPN Regional (MAC Game of the Week) • Jim Barber (Play-by-Play) and John Gregory (Analyst)
Online: ESPN360.com
Radio: BGSU Radio Network (1230AM) • Todd Walker (Play-by-Play) and Cal Bowers (Analyst)
BGSU FOOTBALL GAME NOTES VERSUS MIAMI (33 pages) 
The Bowling Green State University football team will look for their first home win in 2008 as they play host to the Miami RedHawks on Saturday, Oct. 18 on Family Weekend inside Doyt Perry Stadium. Opening kickoff is set for Noon, with the contest being carried live on ESPN Regional and ESPN360.com
Scouting the Falcons
The Falcons got back to their winning ways this past weekend, outlasting the Akron Zips 37-33 in Akron, Ohio. In the win the Falcons scored 23 points in the fourth quarter to rally from a 27-14 final stanza deficit.
Offensively the Falcons average 25.7 points per game, but are coming off their second-best offensive outburst of 2008, scoring 37 points in last weekend's win. BGSU is led by junior quarterback Tyler Sheehan, who is completing 65.4% of his passes. He has thrown for 1,447 yards and nine touchdowns, and just four interceptions. He also leads the team with four rushing scores, including one rushing touchdown in each of his last three games.
This past weekend versus Akron the BGSU offense had their best total and rushing yardage output of the season, racking up 419 total yards and 175 of those on the ground. Fifth-year senior Anthony Turner, who made his first start of 2008 at the running back, posted 126 yards on 19 carries (6.6 avg.)
Defensively the Falcons rank fifth in the MAC in scoring defense (25.3), sixth in rush defense (166.3), eighth in pass defense (204.2) and ninth in total defense (370.5). The Falcons are led by senior Diyral Briggs, who currently second in the MAC in sacks with five. Classmate Erique Dozier leads the team with 50 tackles, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Bowling Green vs. Miami Preview
Saturday's contest will feature the two most prolific Mid-American Conference teams in the history of the league with Bowling Green winning 60.1% of their overall games since joining the league, while Miami has won 63.8%. In 2003 these two teams squared off in the MAC Championship game (Bowling Green was a member of the West Division at the time). In 2004 Miami was East Champion, while in 2005 BGSU/Miami/Akron shared the East crown and in 2007 these same two teams, along with Buffalo were tied for the East Division Champions. Except in 2006 (Ohio), the Falcons and/or RedHawks have owned at least a share of the MAC East crown since 2003.
Saturday's matchup will feature a Falcon offense that seems to have found its' wings (102 points last three games) versus a defense that ranks second in the MAC, allowing just 330.3 total yards per game. The contest will also feature some of the league's top linebackers, as four are ranked in the MAC's top 10 in tackling (Joey Hudson and Clayton Mullins for Miami and Erique Dozier and John Haneline for BGSU).
Falcons Stun Zips, 37-33
Trailing 27-14 to start the fourth quarter the Falcons rolled out 23 points in the game's final 15 minutes of action to stun the Akron Zips 37-33 in Akron, Ohio. Tyler Sheehan completed 26 of 41 passes for 239 yards and three scores, while also adding 29 yards on the ground and one score. Two of Sheehan's touchdowns went to senior Corey Partridge, his first two touchdown performance of his career. Anthony Turner provided a much needed run game, carding 126 yards on 19 carries, while also throwing a touchdown pass to Jimmy Scheidler.
Offense Explodes For 23 Fourth Quarter Points
Down by 13 points with 15 minutes to play the Falcon offense exploded for 23 points in the game's final quarter to capture a 37-33 win versus the Zips. Here is a timeline of the fourth quarter comeback.
• Sheehan was 7 for 8 passing for 84 yards, while the Falcons also ran the ball nine times for 48 yards.
• BGSU scored two minutes into the fourth as they drove 61 yards, capped off by a 19-yard run by Sheehan. (13:04, 4th) 27-21 Akron
• Two plays after the Sheehan touchdown, Akron's Chris Jacquemain attempted to throw the ball out of bounds, but BGSU's Antonio Smith intercepted the pass and ran it back to the Akron six yardline. (12:21, 4th) 28-27 BGSU
• Two plays later Anthony Turner found a wide open Jimmy Scheidler to spot the Falcons a 28-27 lead, their first of the game. (11:38, 4th)
• Following an Akron touchdown drive to give them a 33-28 lead (7:47, 4th) the Falcons answered back less than three minutes later with a seven play, 74 yard drive as Sheehan found Corey Partridge in the back of the endzone. (4:52, 4th) 34-33 BGSU
• The BGSU defense stopped the Zip offense in five plays, spotting the ball back at the Akron 32-yardline where BGSU's Sinisa Vrvilo eventually connected on a 44 yard field goal (2:20, 4th) 37-33 BGSU.
• The final Akron drive got down to the Bowling Green 33-yardline before the Falcon defense clamped down. (0:00, 4th) BGSU Wins 37-33
That Wacky East Division
Bowling Green entered last week's contest in fourth place among the seven teams in the East Division, but a BGSU win, along with losses by five of the seven East Division teams allowed the Falcons to jump into sole possession of the East Division lead. Bowling Green (1-1) leads Akron (1-2), Buffalo (1-2), Ohio (1-2), Temple (1-3), Miami (0-2) and Kent State (0-3).
On the other hand, Western Michigan (4-0), Ball State (3-0), Central Michigan (3-0) and Northern Illinois (2-1) are battling it out in the MAC West.
Brandon Versus the MAC/Miami
Saturday will be coach Brandon's 43rd contest versus the Mid-American Conference. He currently holds a 28-14 (66.6%) MAC record, best in the conference since 2003 (Miami is 27-14). The Falcons are 1-4 all-time versus the RedHawks under Brandon, with their lone win coming in 2005 in a 42-14 win at Miami.
What The Falcons Have Done Since 2003 (Brandon Era)
• 41-27 overall record, best in the MAC
• 13-12 versus non MAC opponents, best in the MAC
• 28 conference wins, best in the MAC
• Three bowl appearances, best in the MAC
• Two bowl wins, best in the MAC
• One MAC West crown (2003)
• Two MAC East crowns (2005, 2007)
• National rankings in 2003 and 2004
Now That's a Tough Non-Conference Schedule
Following contests with Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Boise State and Wyoming the Falcons have had their share of tough non-conference contests in 2008. Combined, the four opponents have a record of 17-7, with two of those losses coming from BGSU wins. Overall #23 Pittsburgh is 4-1 (only loss came versus BGSU), Minnesota (6-1), #15 Boise State (5-0) and Wyoming (2-5).
Lucky #13
Tyler Sheehan, seems to have found the magic touch the past three games, completing 68% of his passes for 823 yards and seven scores, while throwing just one interception. Three weeks ago he threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns in a win at Wyoming and threw for 297 yards and two scores in the loss to EMU. This past weekend he completed 26 of 41 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns. He has also ran for a touchdown in each of his last three games.
First Three Games............................Last Three 74-118.....................Passing.............75-110 62.7.....................Completion %...........68.2 208.0.....................yards/game............274.3 2.........................Touchdowns..............7 3........................Interceptions............1
Sheehan Tidbits
• Has completed 63.6% of his passes in his career (475 of 747), while throwing 32 touchdowns and rushing for seven more. His completion percentage is second all-time in school history.
• He has two career receiving touchdowns.
• Since the start of 2007 he has been responsible for 41 touchdowns (32 pass, 7 rush, 2 rec.) in 19 games (2.16/game).
• His 747 career passes are 104 passes shy of cracking the top-5 all-time in BGSU history.
• His 475 career completions rank fifth all-time.
He Does it Again
For the fifth time in his career Tyler Sheehan has been named Mid-American Conference East Division's Offensive Player of the Week, announced by the league office on Monday (Oct. 13).
Sheehan helped the Falcons rally back from a 27-14 fourth quarter deficit to stun the Akron Zips 37-33 inside the Rubber Bowl. In the fourth quarter alone he completed 7 of 8 passes for 84 yards and one touchdown, helping the Falcons score 23 fourth quarter points.
Overall he completed 26 of 41 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns in the Falcons' third road win of the year. He added 29 yards on the ground and a rushing score, contributing to four of the Falcons five touchdowns on the night.
He connected on a 34-yard touchdown pass to Marques Parks and hooked up with Corey Partridge on a pair of touchdowns, giving him his first multi touchdown performance of his career.
This is the second time this season the junior has walked away with the league honor after being named MAC East Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 287 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Wyoming.
Last season he earned the award three times (Minnesota, Temple and Buffalo).
Touchdown Passes From Everywhere
Tyler Sheehan may lead the team with nine passing touchdowns, but he is not the only Falcon to throw a few touchdown passes this season. Freddie Barnes has thrown two scores, while Anthony Turner has chipped in with one. In fact, the Falcons have had multiple touchdown throwers in two different games this season (Pittsburgh and Akron).
All He Does Is Catch Touchdowns
Junior TE/FB Jimmy Scheidler entered 2008 with one career reception for minus-4 yards. In the game versus Pittsburgh, Scheidler emerged as a top receiving threat, recording three catches for 30 yards and two touchdowns. His touchdown receptions were from three and five yards, while he also recorded a 22 yard catch that helped set up the Falcons winning score over the No. 25 team in the country. He also had a four-yard touchdown reception against Boise State, a six-yard score versus Eastern Michigan and a five-yard score versus Akron. He currently leads the team with five touchdown receptions on only 10 catches.
Moving On Up
Fifth-year senior Corey Partridge will enter Saturday's contest with 155 career receptions, which is eighth all-time in the BGSU record books. The Loveland, Ohio, native is currently on pace for 58 receptions this year which would give him 182 for his career, placing him in a tie for fourth all-time in the BGSU record books.
1. Charles Sharon (2002-05) 232 2. Cole Magner (2001-04) 215 3. Robert Redd (1998-02) 211 4. Mark Szlachcic (1989-92) 182 5. Stan Hunter (1982-85) 176 6. Reggie Thornton (1986-89) 158 7. Steve Sanders (2002-05) 156 8. Corey Partridge (2005-PR) 155 9. Kurt Gerling (1998-01) 152 10. Ronald Heard (1986-89) 139
