Sheehan, Barnes Help Falcons Roll Along to 31-17 Win at Ball State

Saturday, October 17

Muncie, Ind.

Noon

Bowling Green State University

3-4 , 2-1

Ball State

0-7 , 0-3

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Bowling Green	7	17	7	0	31
Ball State Cardinals	0	0	10	7	17

Sheehan, Barnes Help Falcons Roll Along to 31-17 Win at Ball State

October 17, 2009 | Football

Box Score

By: MUNCIE, Ind. (BGSU Athletic Communications)

The Bowling Green State University rolled to a 24-point halftime lead en route to a 31-17 win over Ball State University Saturday afternoon (Oct. 17). The Mid-American Conference game was held at BSU's Scheumann Stadium.

BGSU 31, BALL STATE 17 - Final Stats
Dave Clawson Audio
Freddie Barnes Audio
Angelo Magnone Audio

DAVE CLAWSON POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO

With the win, the Falcons improve to 3-4 overall and 2-1 in MAC play, while the Cardinals drop to 0-7 and 0-3, respectively.

Quarterback Tyler Sheehan threw for 376 yards and three touchdowns, with 299 of those yards coming in the first half. Freddie Barnes, the nation's leading receiver, had 10 catches for 160 yards, and was on the other end of all three scoring passes.

BGSU took a 24-0 lead into the half, and Chris Bullock added a 26-yard run for the Falcons' final touchdown of the game.

The Cardinals got a pair of second-half scores on the ground, from Eric Williams, but never crept closer than the final 14-point margin.

The Falcons had two 100-yard receivers in the first half alone, as Chris Wright had all six of his catches and all 104 of his yards before the intermission. Barnes had eight first-half catches for 140 yards before halftime.

The Falcons had a 24-18 advantage in first downs and a 455-404 edge in total yardage. BG had 324 yards in the opening half, while holding Ball State to only 128 yards in the first 30 minutes of play.

Sheehan finished with 28 completions in 41 attempts for those 376 yards. He had the three TDs and did not throw an interception. In fact, the Falcons did not have a turnover in the game.

Ball State picked up 273 yards on the ground, led by MiQuale Lewis. Lewis had 115 yards on 18 carries to lead all players, while Williams had nine rushes for 88 yards and the two scores.

BGSU returns home next weekend, facing Central Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 24. Kickoff for that Family Weekend game is set for noon at Perry Stadium.

Notes

* After recording 22 catches for 278 yards and three touchdowns last weekend versus Ohio, Freddie Barnes added 10 grabs for 160 yards and another three touchdowns in the win over Ball State. In his last two week Barnes has posted 32 receptions for 438 yards and six touchdowns.

* With the help of back-to-back weeks with a career-high three touchdowns, Barnes now has 19 touchdown receptions as a Falcon, sixth-best in the BGSU record books. Combined with his 10 career rushing touchdowns, Barnes has 29 scores, also sixth at BGSU. Barnes also ranks sixth in receiving yards with 2,402.

* Continuing with the Barnes love, he now has 85 catches on the season, which is second most by a Falcon in a season. Cole Magner owns the school record with 99 grabs in 2003.

* For more on Barnes visit www.freddiebarnes.com.

* The Falcon offense has scored 104 points in the last three games, while averaging 492.3 yards of offense.

* A major reason for the offensive output has been the play of senior quarterback Tyler Sheehan, who has completed 100 of his last 156 passes for 1,217 yards (423.7/game) and nine touchdowns.

* Sheehan completed 28 of 41 passes for 376 yards and three touchdowns in the win over the Cardinals. Sheehan now has 57 career touchdown passes, third-best in school history.

* Freshman Jerry Phillips connected on a 44-yard field in the second quarter, the longest of his career.

* Senior Chris Bullock, on his lone carry of the game, scampered in for a 26-yard touchdown, the Falcons' longest run of 2009.

* Keith Morgan and Darius Smith recorded career-highs in tackles. Morgan had a team-high 11, while Smith added eight, including his first career sack.

* Roger Williams had his second career interception.