Bowling Green State University Athletics
Friday, November 20
Bowling Green, Ohio
5:30 PM ET
Bowling Green State University
vs
Akron
Falcons Host Akron on Friday Night at 5:30 p.m. on ESPNU
November 16, 2009 | Football
Bowling Green (5-5, 4-2 MAC) vs Akron (2-8, 1-5 MAC)
Bowling Green, Ohio • Doyt L. Perry Stadium (24,00)
Nov. 20, 2009 • 5:30 p.m.
TV
ESPNU
Radio
Falcon Radio Network (99.1 FM) • Todd Walker (Play-by-Play) and John Gibson (Analyst)
WBGU (88.1 FM) • Pat Dougherty and Dan Hoblick
Listen on Online
Series
Series: BGSU Leads 10-7-0
Last Meeting: Bowling Green 37, Akron 33 (Oct. 11, 2008)
Last Meeting in Bowling Green: Bowling Green 44, Akron 20
Notes: The Falcons have won the last two meetings and are 5-3 all-time at home versus the Zips
Bowling Green, Ohio • Doyt L. Perry Stadium (24,00)
Nov. 20, 2009 • 5:30 p.m.
TV
ESPNU
Radio
Falcon Radio Network (99.1 FM) • Todd Walker (Play-by-Play) and John Gibson (Analyst)
WBGU (88.1 FM) • Pat Dougherty and Dan Hoblick
Listen on Online
Series
Series: BGSU Leads 10-7-0
Last Meeting: Bowling Green 37, Akron 33 (Oct. 11, 2008)
Last Meeting in Bowling Green: Bowling Green 44, Akron 20
Notes: The Falcons have won the last two meetings and are 5-3 all-time at home versus the Zips
Football Game Notes Versus Akron (41 pages)
The Bowling Green State University football team will play host to the Akron Zips on Friday, Nov. 20 at 5:30 p.m. carried live on ESPNU.
Scouting the Falcons
The Falcons are led by first year head coach Dave Clawson, who comes to BGSU after a successful career at Fordham and Richmond. Clawson is 5-5 in his first year as the Falcons' head coach.
The Falcon offense is led by third-year signal caller, Tyler Sheehan, who will be making his 36th consecutive start on Friday. Through his first 35 games as a Falcon he has thrown for 9,255 yards (second-best in school history) and 62 touchdowns. This year alone the senior has thrown for 3,189 yards (318.9/game) and 19 touchdowns, while adding a team-high four more on the ground. Sheehan and the Falcons are first in the MAC and fourth nationally, averaging 324.7 yards per game through the air and have thrown for over 300 yards in five of their last six contests.
Sheehan's main offensive weapon is fellow classmate Freddie Barnes, who after 10 games this season, has already amassed 117 receptions (11.7 per game) which is tops in the nation and is second with 1,285 yards (128.5 per game) and 12 touchdowns. Barnes has seven games of at least 10-plus receptions and seven 100-yard receiving games this season. Barnes' top performance of the year was versus Kent State back on Oct. 10. The Chicago Heights, Ill., native recorded 22 grabs for 278 yards and three touchdowns. His 22 receptions were one shy of the NCAA record. Barnes is the BGSU and MAC record holder for catches in a season, and he still has at least two games to play.
Defensively the Falcons are led by linebacker Jerett Sanderson, who is tied for the team lead in tackles (65) and first in tackles for loss (7.5) and has chipped in with a sack, interception, quarterback hurry and two forced fumbles. The Falcon defense is coming off their most impressive performance of the season, allowing just 295 yards versus Miami.
Falcons Force Five Turnovers in 35-14 win at Miami
The Bowling Green State University football team forced five Miami turnovers and got three touchdowns from Freddie Barnes in a 35-14 win at Miami on Nov. 12.
After Miami fumbled the opening kickoff the Falcons ran a reverse to Barnes, who ran 19 yards for his second rushing score of the season. Barnes added a pair of receiving touchdowns in the second and third quarter to finish the game with three scores
Barnes' first touchdown came on a screen play in which Barnes scampered 59 yards for the score, his longest grab of the season. Barnes would finish with 10 catches for 109 yards, his seventh 100-yard game in 2009 and fifth-straight contest surpassing the 100-yard mark.
Defensively the Falcons had their best performance of the season, allowing just 295 yards of total offense, including just 36 yards on the ground. This from a defense that was allowing 216.3 yards per game on the ground.
BGSU also got after the MU quarterback, recording a season high six sacks and three interceptions. Kevin Alvarado led the bunch with 2.5 sacks, while P.J. Mahone, Jerett Sanderson and Cody Basler all recorded interceptions.
Comeback Kids
The Falcons have rallied back from a double-digit fourth quarter deficit twice in 2009 to pull out a victory. The Falcons scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter for a 30-29 win at Buffalo on Nov. 3 and back on Oct. 10 the Falcons scored a pair of touchdowns in the game's final six minutes to win 36-35 at Kent State.
Nearly Had Three More
Even with two fourth quarter comebacks this season the Falcons have had the ball late in the fourth quarter down one score in four other games in 2009.
at Missouri - Down 27-20, 1:36 remaining - Drove to the BGSU40 before turning it over on downs.
at Marshall - Down 17-10, 2:13 remaining - Drove to the Marshall26 before turning it over on downs.
vs. Ohio - Down 44-37, 1:40 remaining - Drove to the Ohio14 before turning it over on downs.
Record Doesn't Tell The Entire Story
While the Falcons are just 5-5 overall and 4-2 in conference play, you can't say the Falcons aren't challenging their team when it comes to the schedule. Overall, the Falcons have played eight of their 10 games against teams with .500 or better record, and in fact the combined winning percentage of those eight teams is not even close to .500. Boise State (10-0), Central Michigan (8-2), Troy (7-3), Marshall (5-5), Ohio (7-3), Missouri (6-4) and Kent State (5-5) have a combined 48-22 record (.686). Add in Ball State (1-9) and Miami (1-10) and the combined opponent record is still 50-41 (.556).
MAC Road Warriors; Finish 2009 4-0 on Road
The Falcons are 12-2 since 2007 in MAC road contests. They have wins over Kent State (31-20), Eastern Michigan (39-32) and Buffalo (31-17) in 2007, wins over Akron (37-33), Ohio (28-3) and Toledo (38-10) in 2008 and are 4-0 in MAC road games in 2009, downing Kent State (36-35), Ball State (31-17), Buffalo (30-29) and Miami (35-14). The Falcons lone road MAC road loses in that time are versus Miami in 2007 (47-14) and Northern Illinois in 2008 (16-13).
Another November to Remember?
In 2007 the Falcons were 4-0 and in 2008 they were 3-1 in the month of November. After a 30-29 win versus UB on Nov. 3 and a 35-14 win at Miami on Oct. 12, the Falcons are now 9-1 since 2007 in the month of November. In 2007 the Falcons sat at just 4-4 overall before winning their final four games to advance to the GMAC Bowl. In 2008 the Falcons held a 27-7 lead in the fourth quarter over Buffalo (11/21/08) before falling in double overtime to the Bulls or they would have once again advanced to a postseason contest. The Falcons, who are 5-5 overall right now, but once again will need to be perfect in the month of November if they want to advance to post season play.
Aerial Attack; Six Week Bombardment
Since the beginning of MAC play the Falcons' passing attack has been one of the nation's best. In the last six weeks Tyler Sheehan has thrown for 2,124 yards (354.0/game), including five games of over 300 yards. Overall, he has completed 178-of-284 passes (62.7 percent) and 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
Ice That Arm
Bowling Green is first in the Mid-American Conference and fourth nationally, averaging 324.7 yards per game through the air. Helping that number is the fact that the Falcons have thrown it 485 times through 10 games, third-most in the country. In fact, the Orange and Brown are currently averaging 48.5 attempts and 30.5 completions which would average out to 582 attempts and 366 completions, both which would be new school records. The current record of 345 completions was set in 2003 and the 522 attempts was just set in 2007.
Sack Masters
The Falcons, who have just 18 sacks on the year (1.8 per game) have eight sacks in their last two games, including six last week at Miami. In the two week stretch senior James Schneider has 3.5 sacks, while Kevin Alvarado (2.5), Cody Basler (1.0) and Keith Morgan (1.0) have also chipped in.
Sanderson Named MAC East Defensive POW
Jerett Sanderson, a senior on the Bowling Green State University football team, has been named the Mid-American Conference East Division Defensive Player of the Week, according to the league office on Nov. 16.
Sanderson and the Falcon defense had their best performance of the 2009 season, limiting the Miami RedHawks to 295 yards of total offense and just 36 yards on the ground in the 35-14 win in Oxford, Ohio last Thursday.
Individually Sanderson had six tackles, one tackle for loss, an interception, a forced fumble and one pass breakup. The Long Branch, N.J., native forced a fumble on the game's opening play, setting up the first Falcon touchdown of the night.
His interception came in the second quarter at the Falcons' five yard-line as the RedHawks were marching to take the lead in the game. Following the senior's interception the BGSU scored another touchdown, giving BGSU 14 points off of two Sanderson forced turnovers.
Last Year Versus Akron
Tyler Sheehan threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as the Falcons came from behind in the fourth quarter to win 37-33 at the Rubber Bowl. Sheehan finished the game completing 26 of 41 passes for 239 yards.
Toledo Game Time Set
The Bowling Green State University athletic department has announced that the Friday, Nov. 27 football contest versus the Toledo Rockets will begin at 2 p.m. inside Doyt L. Perry Stadium. The game will not be carried on ESPNU but can be found locally on BCSN.
It will be the 74th meeting between the two schools that are separated by just over 20 miles. Bowling Green has won the past two meeting versus the Rockets and have won four of the last five contests at “The Doyt”.
Barnes Named Semifinalist for Biletnikoff Award
The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, the creator and sponsor of the Biletnikoff Award, presented annually to the nation's outstanding college football receiver, has announced its semifinalist list, with Bowling Green State University's Freddie Barnes a part of that honor.
Barnes is one of 10 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award. He is joined by Dezmone Briscoe (Kansas), Vincent Brown (San Diego State), Eric Decker (Minnesota), Marshwan Gilyard (Cincinnati), A.J. Green (Georgia), Jordan Shipley (Texas), Demaryius Thomas (Georgia Tech), Golden Ttate (Notre Dame), Mike Williams (Syracuse)
The next vote for the top-3 finalists will take place on Nov. 16 and close on Nov. 19.
Take Me to Your Leader
The Falcon air attack has always had its pilot in Tyler Sheehan, but there is no question who the co-pilot is in 2009. Wide receiver Freddie Barnes, who has 117 catches through 10 games in 2009, currently has a stranglehold atop the nation's leaderboard in catches, and in fact it's not even close right now.
Player (School) Catches Yards
1. Freddie Barnes (BGSU) 117 1,285
2. Keith Smith (Purdue) 86 1,015
3. Greg Salas (Hawaii) 85 1,360
4. Kerry Meier (Kansas) 83 885
5. James Cleveland (Houston) 82 941
NCAA Record Breaker?
Freddie Barnes, who is currently averaging 11.7 catches a game, is currently on pace to finish 2009 with 140 catches (in 12 games), which would be just shy of the current NCAA record, held since 1989 by Manny Hazard (Houston) with 142.
Helps When You Set A New School Record, Three Times
Obviously, when a player has 117 catches in 10 games he is posting some serious numbers. Well, when it comes to Freddie Barnes, he is doing just that. After posting just 40 receptions in 2008 due to injuries, most expected Barnes to return to his 82 reception performance from 2007, but no one could have predicted this.
In 2002 Robert Redd had 14 catches versus Northern Illinois, a mark that most felt would be tough to beat (Corey Partridge matched the 14 catches in 2006 versus Toledo). To open 2009 Barnes caught a school record 15 catches in a win over Troy, a record most believed would once again be tough to beat. That record stood for two weeks before Barnes posted 17 catches at Marshall, establishing a new BGSU record. Just when you thought that was a untouchable number, Barnes had an incredible performance, hauling in 22 catches at Kent State.
Moving On Up
When marching up a record book like Freddie Barnes is doing, 117 catches for 1,285 yards in 10 games will help out in a hurry. The senior, who began 2009 with 142 career receptions for 1,520 yards, has climbed from 11th all-time all the way to the top of the BGSU in the record books for catches in a career and began the year 17th in career receiving yards and has moved all the way up to second all-time.
Career Receptions List
1. Freddie Barnes (2005-PR) 259
2. Charles Sharon (2002-05) 232
3. Cole Magner (2001-04) 215
4. Robert Redd (1998-02) 211
5. Mark Szlachcic (1989-92) 182
There Are Other Wide Receivers Too
While Freddie Barnes has been getting most of the attention, other Falcon pass catchers are putting up some solid numbers in 2009. Sophomore Adrian Hodges is second on the team with 44 catches, 403 yards and two touchdowns. Hodges has 26 catches the last six weeks after recording just five grabs in all of 2008. Chris Wright is third on the team with 34 grabs for 460 yards and two scores after recording just 22 grabs for 249 yards last season.
Cincinnati Kid
Tyler Sheehan, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, could be closing in on several single season records by the end of the year. Sheehan, who has thrown for 3,189 yards on 298 of 465 passes, is currently on pace to throw for 3,826 yards on 358-of-558 passing. The single season record for attempts and completions are held by Josh Harris, who completed 325 of 494 passes, while Omar Jacobs was the only Falcon quarterback to ever throw for 4,000 yards, finishing 2004 with 4,002 yards.
Sheehan Streaking
Tyler Sheehan has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 19 straight games, dating back to Sept. 13, 2008 when Boise State shut him out. His current 19 game streak is third-best in the country, behind just Colt McCoy (27 games) and Casey Keenum (26 games). In his 35 career starts he has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 32 of those games.
Current Touchdown Streaks
Colt McCoy, Texas 27
Case Keenum, Houston 26
Tyler Sheehan, BGSU 19
Tony Pike, Cincinnati 17
Ryan Lindley, San Diego State 16
If Sheehan Were A Bowler...
Tyler Sheehan came into 2009 with just two career 300-yard games, despite throwing for over 6,000 yards his first two years as a Falcon. Through 10 games this season he has seven 300-yard games, including five of his last six contests. Sheehan opened the year with 339 yards versus Troy. He also had over 300 yards versus Marshall (383), Ohio (390), Kent State (505), Ball State (376), Central Michigan (341) and Buffalo (313).
Very Few Are Better
Tyler Sheehan, who will be making his 36th consecutive start, has put up some huge numbers in his career, and in fact, very few quarterbacks have done it better. Below are just a few of how Sheehan ranks among active NCAA leaders.
• Ranks fifth in pass attempts (1,384)
• Fifth in completions (891)
• 10th in yards (9,255)
• 13th in passing touchdowns (62)
• 12th in completions percentage (64.4)
• 12th in touchdowns responsible for (79)
• 12th in total yards (9,537)
And Even More on Sheehan
• Is second in school history in pass attempts (1,384), completions (891) and yards (9.255)
• Has nine career 300-yard games, including five of his last six contests
• Has been named MAC East Offensive Player of the Week seven times throughout his career.
• Has 79 career touchdowns (62 passing, 14 rushing, three receiving)
• Has completed 64.4 percent of his passes, second-best in school history
• Has thrown at least one touchdown in every game this season and has a streak of at least one touchdown in 19 straight games, third most in the country.
Believe it or Not
Conventional wisdom says that a strong running game is the way to control the clock, but believe it or not BGSU ranks tops in the MAC and 12th nationally in time of possession. The Falcons, who throw it more than any other team in the league, are controlling the ball for 32:08 a game.
Get Off The Field
Helping with that strong time of possession is the defense's ability to get stops on third down. BGSU ranks first in the MAC and 20th in the country in opponent third down conversions (33.8%). In fact, when you look at the numbers even closer the Falcon defense has been extremely effective on third downs longer than three yards. Overall, when the opponent has to get three or fewer yards for a first down they have been successful 63.9 percent of the time. On all other third downs the Falcons have allowed just 21 first downs on 98 attempts (21.4%) when the yardage to get is at least four yards.
BG Football Press Conference vs Buffalo 10.27
Monday, October 27
BG Football Postgame vs Kent State 10.25
Sunday, October 26
BG Football Press Conference 10.20
Monday, October 20
BG FB Postgame vs CMU 10.18
Saturday, October 18