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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Zip To Akron for MAC East Showdown
October 07, 2008 | Football
Oct. 7, 2008
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -
Game #6
Bowling Green (2-3, 0-1 MAC) vs. Akron Zips (3-3, 1-1 MAC)
Akron, Ohio (Rubber Bowl) • 6:00 p.m. EST
TV: None
Radio: BGSU Radio Network • Todd Walker (Play-by-Play), Cal Bowers (Analyst)
Bowling Green Football Notes vs. Akron (33 Pages) 
The Bowling Green State University football team hits the road this weekend for a Saturday night showdown with the Akron Zips in an attempt to get back into the Mid-American Conference East Division race. Opening kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
Scouting the Falcons
The Falcons saw their four game MAC winning streak snapped this past weekend as they dropped a 24-21 decision to Eastern Michigan. It was the first time they had lost to the Eagles since 1989.
Offensively the Falcons average 23.4 points per game. After turning the ball over nine times in their first three games they have just one turnover in the past two contests (a fumble on fourth down). Quarterback Tyler Sheehan runs an offense that ranks ninth in the MAC in scoring (23.8), sixth in pass offense (247.8) and 10th in total offense (345.8). Sheehan has completed 123 of 187 passes (66%) for 1,208 yards and six touchdowns. The second year starting quarterback has also rushed for three scores in 2008.
Defensively the Falcons have improved tremendously from last season, ranking near the top in several defensive categories. The Falcons rank fifth in the MAC in scoring defense (23.8), sixth in rush defense (158.4), eighth in pass defense (212.8) and seventh in total defense (371.2). The Falcons are led by senior Diyral Briggs, who currently leads the MAC in sacks with five. Classmate Erique Dozier leads the team with 43 tackles, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Bowling Green vs. Akron Preview
Saturday's contest will feature a pair of evenly matched teams both offensively and defensively. Akron is seventh in the MAC in scoring (25.0), Bowling Green is ninth (23.4). Defensively the Falcons are fifth in scoring defense (23.8), while the Zips are sixth (25.7). Both teams are averaging 247.8 yards a game through the air and are 10th and 11th in the MAC in rushing per game.
Bowling Green leads the all-time series with a mark of 9-7, with the Zips holding a 2-1 margin since 2003 (Brandon era). Coach Gregg Brandon's lone win over the Zips came last season as the Falcons upended the Zips 44-20 inside Doyt Perry Stadium.
Eagles Edge Falcons in MAC Opener
Eastern Michigan drove 77 yards in 45 seconds to put the Eagles up 24-21 with 40 seconds remaining in the game. Bowling Green then answered back with a drive of their own, but a Sinisa Vrvilo 52-yard field goal went wide left as the Falcons dropped a heart-breaker to EMU.
In the loss Tyler Sheehan threw for 297 yards and two scores while adding a rushing touchdown as well. Anthony Turner led the Orange and Brown on the ground with 55 yards on eight carries, while Corey Partridge recorded 60 yards on six catches as the Falcons top receiver.
Brandon Versus the MAC/Akron
Saturday will be coach Brandon's 42nd contest versus the Mid-American Conference. He currently holds a 27-14 (65.8%) MAC record, second-best in the conference since 2003 (Miami is 27-13). The Falcons are 1-2 all-time versus the Zips under Brandon, with their lone win coming last season in a 44-20 win at Doyt Perry Stadium.
What The Falcons Have Done Since 2003 (Brandon Era) • 40-27 overall record, best in the MAC • 13-12 versus non MAC opponents, best in the MAC • 27 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 15-6, with two of those losses coming from BGSU wins. Overall Pittsburgh is 4-1 (only loss came versus BGSU), Minnesota (5-1), Boise State (4-0) and Wyoming (2-4). CBS.Sportsline.com ranks the Falcons' non-conference schedule the 15th toughest in the country.
Sheehan Gets Back on Track
Tyler Sheehan, seems to have found his grove the past two games, completing 71% of his passes for 584 yards and four scores, while throwing zero interceptions. Two weeks ago he threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns in a win at Wyoming and this past weekend he threw for 297 yards and two scores in the loss to EMU.
First Three Games.................Last Two 74-118.........Passing..................49-69 62.7.........Completion %.............71.0 208.0.........yards/game..............292.0 2..............Touchdowns................4 3............Interceptions.................0
Sheehan By The Down - Completion % - 2008
On First Down - 51 of 70 (73%)
On Second Down - 40 of 66 (60%)
On Third Down - 28 of 47 (59%)
On Fourth Down - 4 of 4 (100%) - All four resulting in first downs.
Sheehan Tidbits • Has completed 63.6% of his passes in his career (449 of 706), while throwing 29 touchdowns and rushing for six 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 31 touchdowns (23 pass, 6 rush, 2 rec.) in 18 games (1.72/game). • Has thrown no interceptions is his last 69 passes. • His 706 career passes are 145 passes shy of cracking the top-5 all-time in BGSU history. • His 449 career completions rank sixth all-time, six shy of the top-5.
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 and a six-yard score versus Eastern Michigan, and currently leads the team with four touchdown receptions on only eight catches.
Barnes "Catching" On
In 2006 when the BGSU football team opened the season versus Wisconsin, Freddie Barnes was the Falcons' starting quarterback. In that contest Barnes ran for 158 yards, the highest rushing total ever by a BGSU quarterback. Flash forward to 2008 and Barnes is now the Falcons' top wide receiver threat. By mid-season in 2006 Barnes had made the transition to wide receiver and finished that year with 20 receptions for 203 yards and two touchdowns. In 2007, his first full year as a starting wide receiver, Barnes caught 82 passes (third most in school history) for 962 yards and nine scores. Through five games this season Barnes has 19 catches for 138 yards, but has yet to record a touchdown. He has on the other hand thrown for two scores this season.
Moving On Up
Fifth-year senior Corey Partridge will enter Saturday's contest with 148 career receptions, which is ninth 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.
So Much For a Question Mark
BGSU entered 2008 with a trio of new starting offensive linemen after losing Kory Lichtensteiger (four-time All-MAC), Drew Nystrom (two-time All-MAC) and Kevin Huelsman. Combined, the three started 107 career games. In come Ben Bojicic, Jeff Fink and Brady Minturn and the Falcon offensive line seems to have not missed a beat. Through five games the Falcons have allowed just 10 sacks (2.0/game) after allowing 32 sacks (2.46/game) in 13 games in 2007.
Mr. Everything
In 2006 he was the Falcons' starting quarterback. In 2007 he began the year as the #2 quarterback, only to become the starting running back by mid-season. Now in 2008 senior Anthony Turner has become an every-down player at the wide receiver position. In his career he has thrown for 2,153 yards and 16 touchdowns. He has run the ball 325 times for 1,281 yards and 19 scores, and he has 28 career receptions for 212 yards and one touchdown. Combined he has 3,646 total yards of offense while playing three different positions in his Falcon career.
Briggs Is Ranked Among Nation's Best
Diyral Briggs' five sacks in five games this season currently is tied for fifth in the nation (1.0/game). He recorded two sacks in the win over Pittsburgh and had three sacks in the loss to Minnesota. His three sacks versus Minnesota also place him in elite company, as he is one of just two players in 2008 to record three sacks in a game.
Briggs Named To Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List The Football Writers Association of America has announced the Watch List for the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Bowling Green State University senior Diyral Briggs is a member of that list. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is awarded to the best defensive player in college football is sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club.
Briggs, a first time member to this watch list, earned first-team All-MAC honors last season after recording 54 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five sacks, four quarterback hurries and two pass breakups.
Defensive Improvements
The Falcon defense has been the biggest bright spot on the team through four games in 2008. After allowing 32.1 points and 424.5 yards per game in 2007, the BGSU defense has responded in a big way.
2007 Stats...........Category.............2008 Stats 32.1................points/game...................23.8 207.8...............rushing/game................158.4 424.4.............total defense/game...........371.2
