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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Host Minnesota Saturday Night on ESPNU
September 02, 2008 | Football
Sept. 2, 2008
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -
Game #2
Bowling Green (1-0, 0-0 MAC) vs. Minnesota (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Bowling Green, Ohio (Doyt L. Perry Stadium) • 7:30 p.m.
TV: ESPNU • Clay Matvick (Play-by-Play), David Diaz-Infante (Analyst)
Radio: BGSU Radio Network • Todd Walker (Play-by-Play), Cal Bowers (Analyst)
BGSU Football Game Notes vs. Minnesota (25 pages) 
Falcons Upset #25 Pittsburgh on Opening Weekend
After falling behind 14-0 early in the second quarter, the Falcons scored 27 of the game's final 30 points en route to a 27-17 win over #25 Pittsburgh. The Falcon offense got passing touchdowns from Tyler Sheehan and Freddie Barnes, rushing scores from Anthony Turner and Sheehan, and two receiving TDs from Jimmy Scheidler, who entered the contest with one career catch.
Defensively the Falcons held the Panthers' top rushing threat, LeSean McCoy, to 71 yards on 23 carries, while forcing Pittsburgh to throw the ball 51 times. The defense also forced four turnovers, which resulted in 14 Falcon points.
"The Doyt" Adds to The Resume
Doyt L. Perry Stadium, which is entering its 42nd year of hosting Bowling Green football, will add something new to its resume this year. Tonight's contest will be the 206th in "The Doyt's" history, when Minnesota becomes the first team from the Big Ten Conference to play inside the home of BGSU football.
Last Year Versus The Gophers
After building a 21-0 halftime lead over Minnesota the Falcons trailed 24-21 with 2:12 remaining in the fourth quarter. Tyler Sheehan and the Falcons marched down the field to set up a 35-yard field goal, which Sinisa Vrvilo converted.
After surrendering a touchdown in overtime the Falcons answered back when Sheehan found a wide open Marques Parks for a nine-yard score. Electing to go for two instead of the extra point, Sheehan found a streaking Freddie Barnes for the score to give BGSU the 32-31 win.
In his first career start Sheehan was 34-of-51 for 388 yards and two scores. He also caught a 24 yard touchdown from Corey Partridge. Barnes finished the game with six catches for 99 yards, while Partridge chipped in with 52 yards on six catches as well.
Second Time in School History?
With the 27-17 win over #25 Pittsburgh last weekend, the Falcons have a chance for back-to-back wins over schools from a BCS conference. The last time, and only other time in school history this has happened was in 2002 when the Orange and Brown downed Missouri (51-28) and Kansas (39-16).
Scheidler and Lewis Named MAC POW
Kenny Lewis and Jimmy Scheidler have been named Mid-American Conference Players of the Week, announced by the league office. Lewis earned the league's defensive award, while Scheidler was named the MAC's Offensive Player of the Week.
Lewis, a senior defensive back, recorded six tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, one pass breakup and one interception in the Falcons' 27-17 win over #25 Pittsburgh, the Falcons first win over a nationally-ranked opponent in five years. Lewis also would have walked away with a 65-yard touchdown return if not for an inadvertent whistle in the second half.
Scheidler entered last Saturday's contest with one career reception for minus-4 yards, but in the 2008 season opener the junior recorded three receptions for 30 yards, including two scores. He also had a 22-yard reception on the Falcons winning drive in the third quarter. Scheidler shared the award with Buffalo's Drew Willy.
Home Cooking
The Falcons are 20-8 inside Doyt Perry Stadium since Gregg Brandon became head coach in 2003. At home BGSU went 7-1 in 2003, 5-0 in 2004, 2-3 in 2005 and 2006 and 4-1 in 2007.
Home Openers are Just as Hot
The Falcons have won their last seven home openers dating back to the 2001 season. The last home opener the Falcons lost was in 2000, when they fell to Pittsburgh, 34-16. In that seven game span of home openers the Falcons have scored 354 points, while allowing just 112, an average score of 50.6 to 16.
Brandon Versus The Big Ten
Since becoming head coach in 2003, Gregg Brandon and the Falcons have squared off versus the Big Ten eight times, with the Falcons walking away with a 3-5 overall record. The BGSU wins include Purdue (2003), Northwestern (2003) and Minnesota (2007). The Falcons lost to Ohio State (2003 & 2006), Wisconsin (2005 & 2006) and Michigan State (2007).
Gregg Brandon Versus Non-MAC Opponents
BGSU head coach Gregg Brandon is currently 12-10 in 22 contests versus non-MAC opponents since becoming the Falcon head coach in 2003. In fact, he is the lone coach in the Mid-American Conference since 2003 to own a .500 or better record out of conference. Some of Brandon's biggest non-conference wins include a 32-31 win at Minnesota (2007), a 52-35 win over Memphis in the GMAC Bowl (2004), a 27-26 win at Purdue (2003), a 28-24 win versus Northwestern in the Motor City Bowl (2003) and just this past weekend BGSU downed Pittsburgh 27-17.
What The Falcons Have Done Since 2003 (Brandon Era)
• 39-24 overall record, best in the MAC • 12-10 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
Quick Six
The Falcons are looking for their sixth regular season win in a row this weekend as they take on Minnesota. BGSU closed 2007 with four consecutive wins over Akron, Eastern Michigan, Buffalo and Toledo, as well as defeated Pittsburgh to open the 2008 season. *The Falcons did lose a post season contest versus Tulsa (GMAC Bowl) at the end of 2007.
Falcon Wins Over BCS Schools Since 2000
The Falcons have 10 wins over schools from the BCS, which ranks fourth among schools not from a BCS conference. The Falcons have beat: Missouri (2001), Temple (2001), Northwestern (2001), Missouri (2002), Kansas (2002), Purdue (2003), Northwestern (2003), Temple (2004), Minnesota (2007) and Pittsburgh (2008).
Team.................BCS Wins Utah....................14 Fresno State............12 TCU.....................11 Bowling Green...........10Return of 2006 for Bullock?
Chris Bullock recorded 44 yards on the ground and another 49 through the air for 93 combined yards in the upset win over Pittsburgh. The last time the junior running back had that many yards from scrimmage was back on Oct. 28, 2006 when he recorded 213 yards from scrimmage versus Temple, a span of 17 games.
Out of Nowhere
Junior TE/FB Jimmy Scheidler entered last Saturday's contest versus Pittsburgh 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 TD 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.
Take It Away BGSU forced four turnovers in the win over Pittsburgh and currently rank tied for seventh in the country in turnovers forced.
1. Iowa State...........6 2. Florida..............6 3. Arizona..............5 4. Wake Forest..........5 5. Rice.................5 6. Louisiana Tech.......5 7. Bowling Green........4Defense Sacks Competition
The Falcons recorded four sacks in the contest with the Panthers last weekend, led by first-team All-MAC performer Diyral Briggs, who came away with two sacks. Antonio Smith and Erique Dozier each chipped in with one. The four team sacks rank 10th in the country and tied for first in the MAC.
What Can Brown do For You?
Junior safety Jahmal Brown currently ranks ninth in the country with his 14 total tackles, but actually leads the nation in solo tackles with 11. His 14 tackles versus Pitt were a new career-high.
