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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Hope to Cage Bobcats on Saturday
November 04, 2008 | Football
Nov. 4, 2008
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -
Game #10
Bowling Green (4-5, 2-3 MAC) vs. Ohio (2-7, 1-4, MAC)
Nov. 8, 2008 • Athens, Ohio (Peden Stadium) • 2 p.m.
Radio: BGSU Radio Network (1230AM) • Todd Walker (Play-by-Play) and Cal Bowers (Analyst)
BGSU Football Game Notes vs. Ohio (37 pages) 
The Bowling Green State University football team (4-5, 2-3 MAC) will be in search of their first winning streak this season as they travel to Athens, Ohio, for a showdown with the Ohio University Bobcats (2-7, 1-4 MAC). Opening kickoff is set for 2 p.m. inside Peden Stadium.
Scouting the Falcons
The Falcons, who have yet to win back-to-back games this season, have the opportunity to do just that, as they square of with Ohio this weekend after downing the Kent State Golden Flashes, 45-30. In the win the Falcons established season-bests in total yards (462) and yards on the ground (261). They also matched their season-high with 45 points which they also scored in the win at Wyoming earlier this year.
Offensively, the Falcons are led by junior quarterback Tyler Sheehan, who has accounted for 47 touchdowns (37 pass, 8 rush, 2 receiving) since being named starter prior to the 2007 campaign (22 games). This season the Cincinnati, Ohio native is completing 65.7% of his passes (201-of-306) for 1,922 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also leads the team with five rushing scores, while throwing just seven interceptions.
Sheehan has completed passes to 13 different players this season including Corey Partridge (45 rec., 413 yds, 5 TD), Freddie Barnes (27 rec., 218 yds.), Tyrone Pronty (25 rec. 162 yds.), Anthony Turner (22 rec., 194 yds.) and Jimmy Scheidler (16 rec. 137 yds, 7 TD). Chris Wright, who has 16 catches this season had seven receptions for 96 yards last weekend versus the Golden Flashes.
The Falcons' ground game, which averages 120.2 yards per game, had their best performance of the year last weekend versus KSU. Sheehan led the team with 109 yards, while Jason Rice (8-91), Anthony Turner (8-37) and Chris Bullock (12-15) also chipped in as the Falcons rolled up 261 yards on the ground. On the season Turner leads the group with 355 yards and three touchdowns, while Chris Bullock (313 yds, 2 TD), Willie Geter (139 yds) and Jason Rice (91 yds, 1 TD) have also contributed.
Defensively the Falcons boast one of the best pass defenses in the league, allowing just 179.8 yards/game. The starting secondary, which has started 120 combined games, includes Kenny Lewis (44 tkls., 3 INT), P.J. Mahone (70 tkls., 2 INT, 6 PBU), Antonio Smith (60 tkls., 1 INT, 7 PBU) and Jahmal Brown (60 tkls.).
Up front the Falcons are led by first-team All-MAC performer Diyral Briggs, who enters Saturday's contest with six sacks, third-best in the MAC. He is joined by a trio of linebackers that have accounted for 189 tackles in John Haneline (67), Erique Dozier (66) and Jerett Sanderson (57). Sanderson also has two picks on the year.
Falcons Run By Kent State 45-30
The BGSU football team had their best offensive game so far this season by putting up 462 yards in a 45-30 win over Kent State. The 45 points match a season-best, established earlier this year at Wyoming. The Falcons roared out to a 28-0 halftime lead by posting 330 yards of total offense. In the first half the Falcon defense held KSU to three three-and-outs, two interceptions and their sixth drive came to a close as the first half expired. For the game Sheehan completed 16 of 23 passes for 159 yards and two scores, while also running for a career-high 109 yards and another score.
Other Notes From 45-30 Win Over Kent State
• Redshirt freshman Jason Rice did a little bit of everything in Saturday's win. Rice, who entered the day with zero rushes or passes in his collegiate career, ran the ball eight times for 91 yards and a touchdown. He also completed a 42-yard pass and had five tackles on special teams.
• The Falcons set season standards in rushing attempts and yards, with 46 carries for 261 yards vs. the Golden Flashes. BGSU's previous season highs had been 40 rushes (at Wyoming) and 175 yards (at Akron, Oct. 11).
• BGSU rolled to a 28-0 halftime lead on the team's most impressive offensive opening half of the season. The Falcons picked up 330 yards in that first 30 minutes. BGSU's previous first-half highs this year were 24 points and 215 yards, both in Cheyenne, Wyo.
• BGSU entered the day averaging 106.6 yards per game on the ground. The Falcons had 15 carries for 89 yards in the first quarter alone last Saturday.
• Chris Wright had career-high totals of seven receptions and 96 yards. His prior bests had been five catches and 83 yards in last season's Akron game.
• Jimmy Scheidler got into the end zone for the seventh time this season, catching a 21-yard pass from Sheehan in the second quarter. He had career-high totals of four receptions for 47 yards in the game.
• Sinisa Vrvilo connected on a 42-yard field goal in the third quarter. After making 2-of-8 field-goal tries to open the year, the senior now has made his last six attempts.
• Defensively, Jerett Sanderson and P.J. Mahone each recorded first-half interceptions. It was the second pick for each player this season, and was Mahone's second in as many games.
Not Running On Empty
As stated before the Falcons ran for a season-best 261 yards this past weekend in the win over Kent State. The Falcons got 114 yards from Tyler Sheehan, another 91 from Jason Rice and 63 yards combined from Anthony Turner, Chris Bullock, Andrew Beam and Tyrone Pronty. The last time the Falcons ran for that many yards in a game was back on Sept. 9, 2006 when the Orange and Brown pounded the rock 58 times for 356 yards in a double overtime win over Buffalo.
Nearly Deja Vu
This past weekend versus Kent State (Nov. 1) Tyler Sheehan entered that contest with 114 career rushing yards (25 games) and had minus-5 yards in 2008 (8 games) prior to rushing for 109 yards on 14 carries, becoming the first quarterback to go over the triple digit mark since former quarterback Anthony Turner ran for 105 yards on 22 carries back on Nov. 4, 2006.
Wild Rice
Much has been made about the Falcons ability this past weekend to run the ball, but without Jason Rice those running numbers would not have been the same. But who is Jason Rice? With injuries to running backs Eric Ransom, Anthony Turner, Willie Geter and Chris Bullock the Falcons turned to redshirt freshman Rice, a former walk-on. Rice, who earned a scholarship this fall had seen no reps on the offensive side of the ball all year, played on special teams only until this past weekend, making the most of the chance, running eight times for 91 yards, including a 33 yard touchdown. He also threw a pass to Chris Wright for a 42 yard gain and had five tackles on special teams.
Mahone Named MAC East Defensive POW
BGSU junior safety P.J. Mahone was named MAC East Defensive Player of the Week, announced by the league office on Monday, Nov. 3. The Elyria, Ohio native recorded eight tackles, one interception and three pass break-ups, helping the Falcons shutout the Golden Flashes in the first half in a 45-30 win.
Another November to Remember?
Entering MAC play with four games remaining last season the Falcons sat in third-place with a 2-2 (4-4 overall) record in the MAC East, trailing Buffalo (3-0) and Miami (2-1). The Falcons eventually went on to win their final four games over Akron (44-20), Eastern Michigan (39-32), Buffalo (31-17) and Toledo (37-10) to finish in a tie for the MAC East crown. This season the Falcons find themselves in the same situation, trailing Akron (2-2) and Buffalo (2-2), while they are tied with Temple (2-3) in the MAC East race. The Falcons, who downed Kent State last Saturday (Nov. 1), have now won five straight games in the month of November.
Brandon Versus the MAC/Ohio
Saturday will be coach Brandon's 46th contest versus the Mid-American Conference. He currently holds a 29-16 (64.4%) MAC record, second-best in the conference since 2003. The Falcons have squared off with Ohio four times under Brandon with the Orange and Brown walking away with victories three times, including a 2-0 record on the road versus the Bobcats.
What The Falcons Have Done Since 2003
• 42-29 overall record, best in the MAC
• 13-12 versus non MAC opponents, best in the MAC
• 29 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
Sheehan By The Down - Completion % - 2008
On First Down - 81 of 116 (69%)
On Second Down - 67 of 105 (63%)
On Third Down - 47 of 79 (59%)
On Fourth Down - 6 of 6 (100%)
Sheehan by the Quarter - 2008
In First Quarter - 58 of 89 (65%) 476 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
In Second Quarter - 58 of 90 (64%) 565 yards, 7 TD, 0 INT
In Third Quarter - 50 of 75 (67%) 488 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT
In Fourth Quarter - 35 of 52 (67%) 386 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
Sheehan Career Tidbits
• Has completed 63.9% of his passes in his career (527 of 825), while throwing 37 touchdowns and rushing for eight more. His completion percentage is second all-time in school history.
• He has two career receiving touchdowns.
• Has been named MAC East Offensive Player of the Week five times.
• Since the start of 2007 he has been responsible for 47 touchdowns (37 pass, 8 rush, 2 rec.) in 22 games (2.1/game).
• His 825 career passes are 26 passes shy of cracking the top-5 all-time in BGSU history.
• His 527 career completions rank sixth all-time.
• Averages a touchdown pass every 22 passes and an interception every 37.5 passes.
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, a five-yard score versus Akron, a four-yard score versus Miami and a 21-yard touchdown in the win over Kent State. He currently leads the team with seven touchdown receptions on only 16 catches.
Moving On Up
Fifth-year senior Corey Partridge will enter Saturday's contest with 169 career receptions, which is sixth all-time in the BGSU record books. The Loveland, Ohio, native is currently on pace for 60 receptions this year which would give him 178 for his career, placing him sixth 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. Corey Partridge (2005-PR) 169 7. Reggie Thornton (1986-89) 158 8. Steve Sanders (2002-05) 156 9. Kurt Gerling (1998-01) 152 10. Ronald Heard (1986-89) 139
