Falcon Defense Continues Dominant Run in 24-3 Romp Over EMU

Saturday, October 27

Bowling Green, OH

3:30 PM

Bowling Green State University

6-3 , 4-1

Eastern Michigan

1-7 , 0-4

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

EMU

BGSU

October 27, 2012 | Football

Box Score

By: by BGSU Athletic Communications

Box Score Photo Gallery Audio: Coach Clawson Chris Jones Gabe Martin John Pettigrew

The Bowling Green State University football team put together another stellar defensive effort and cruised to bowl eligibility for the first time in three years with a 24-3 victory over Eastern Michigan on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 27) at Doyt Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio.

On the opening drive of the game, the Falcons shot an opening salvo that set the tone for the rest of the game. After five plays brought the ball to the BGSU 47 yard line, Matt Schilz threw a backwards pass to Jordan Hopgood. Hopgood took a few steps forward, then launched a perfect throw to a wide-open Shaun Joplin. Joplin raced untouched for a 53-yard touchdown and a 7-0 Bowling Green lead with 12:12 left in the first quarter.

After the teams traded punts, Eastern Michigan used a seven-play drive to secure their only points of the game, which came on a 42-yard Dylan Mulder field goal. The kick closed the gap to 7-3 in favor of BGSU.

The Falcons took over with 5:11 left in the first quarter and responded with another touchdown drive. BGSU traveled 84 yards over the span of eight plays, and the series was capped by a beautiful 27-yard run by Andre Givens. Givens sprinted wide around the left side of the line and broke several tackles on his way to the end zone. Stephen Stein kicked the extra point to give BGSU a 14-3 lead.

From that point, both defenses took over the game, as neither team posted a drive of longer than 41 yards until the fourth quarter. However, opportunistic plays by BGSU's defense allowed the team to increase its lead. The Falcons forced an interception and two fumbles during the first three quarters. On the second fumble, caused after a sack by Gabe Martin, Chris Jones recovered and rumbled 23 yards for BGSU's final touchdown of the day.

With 8:31 left in the third quarter, Stein's extra point increased BGSU's lead to 18 points (21-3).

Tyler Tate added a 28-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to cap a 10-play, 45-yard drive to provide the final 24-3 score. After holding EMU to 11 net yards on six plays, the Falcons took over at their own seven yard line after a punt. They held the ball for the remaining 9:10 by running off 11 plays (all rushes) that covered 58 yards.

Bowling Green has now recorded two consecutive games without allowing a touchdown. In fact, the BGSU defense has not allowed an opponent to step foot in their end zone in nine quarters. Since giving up 37 points at Virginia Tech, the Falcons have allowed a total of 33 points and only three touchdowns in five games. BGSU has not given up so few points over a five-game stretch since allowing 23 points over the final five games of the 1981 season.

Martin and Jones led the way for the defense, as each provided 2.5 sacks for BGSU's total of five. Martin added a forced fumble and interception, while Jones returned Martin's forced fumble for a touchdown.

The team gave up just 178 total yards on 51 plays, including only 64 yards on 27 rushes. The Falcons held EMU quarterback Tyler Benz to 11-for-24 passing and 114 yards.

On offense, BGSU earned 356 yards on 62 plays. The Falcons once again rushed for over 200 yards, using 41 carries to compile 225 yards. The passing attack provided an additional 131 yards.

Schilz was 9-for-20 for 78 yards but efficiently led the Falcons and did not turn the ball over. John Pettigrew carried 24 times for 136 yards. Hopgood added 61 yards rushing in addition to his touchdown pass, and Givens finished with 29 yards rushing. Alex Bayer led receivers with three catches for 29 yards, while Joplin added two catches and his touchdown.

Thanks to the victory, Bowling Green improves to 6-3 overall and 4-1 in Mid-American Conference play. The team has now won five consecutive games and is one of six bowl eligible teams in the MAC. They also move into second place in the MAC's Eastern Division after Ohio's loss to Miami. Kent State currently leads the MAC East with a 4-0 conference record.

BGSU's next game takes place in 11 days when the Falcons travel to Athens, Ohio for a mid-week date with the Ohio Bobcats. The game begins at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7th. Following that, the Falcons have 10 days before they return home to face Kent State at noon on Saturday, Nov. 17th.

Notes
*The Falcons now have five straight wins. The last time a BGSU team did that was back in 2004 when that team rattled off seven straight victories.

* Chris Jones has 11.5 sacks this season, which leads the nation. He also has 27.0 sacks in his career, second-most in BGSU history. The school record is 31.0, held by Kevin O'Brien, with 31.0.

Chris Jones' fumble recovery for a touchdown was the Falcons first since Cody Basler recovered a fumble in the endzone at Wyoming on Sept. 27, 2008.

* John Pettigrew recorded career-bests in carries (24), and yards (136).

* Dwayne Woods now has 303 career tackles.