Falcons Close Regular Season With 21-7 Win Against Buffalo

Friday, November 23

Columbus, OH

2:00 pm

Bowling Green State University

8-4 , 6-2

Buffalo

4-8 , 3-5

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Buffalo

BGSU

November 23, 2012 | Football

Box Score

By: by BGSU Athletic Communications

The Bowling Green State University football team concluded the 2012 regular season on a positive note by notching a 21-7 victory over the University of Buffalo on Friday (Nov. 23) at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

The Falcons rode to victory on the backs of a stifling defense that did not allow Buffalo into the red zone until the fourth quarter and gave up only one drive of more than 23 yards.

BGSU recorded a season-high seven sacks, which were split among six defenders. Chris Jones improved his season total to 12.5 sacks, while Dwayne Woods earned his first two sacks of 2012. As a team, Bowling Green now has 37 sacks for a net loss of 271 yards.

The Bulls were held to only two first downs and 24 yards in the first quarter, which helped overcome a sluggish start by the Falcon offense. After recording their first sack of the day, ending Buffalo's second drive, BGSU went on a 15-play, 78-yard drive but were held without points when Buffalo blocked a Tyler Tate field goal attempt.

After a very quick three-and-out by Buffalo, the Falcons embarked on their first scoring drive of the day. Quarterback Matt Schilz deftly mixed four completions with runs by John Pettigrew, and the 12-play, 68-yard drive culminated with a one yard touchdown run by Pettigrew. The touchdown came on fourth-and-goal.

Buffalo moved into BGSU territory in two plays to start their next drive, but after an initial first down, the Orange and Brown defense sacked Bulls' quarterback Joe Licata twice in three plays. On fourth-and-three, Jones sacked Licata and jarred the ball loose. The fumble was recovered by Cameron Truss and was Buffalo's only turnover of the day.

Five plays later, Shaun Joplin made an acrobatic catch of a Schilz pass over the middle. Joplin evaded a tackle attempt and raced for a 44-yard touchdown, which was his fourth of the season. The extra point gave BGSU a 14-0 second quarter lead.

To start the second half, the Bulls earned only one first down on their first two drives. On BGSU's second possession, the Falcons took eight plays to score their final points of the game. Pettigrew ran five times for 32 yards to start the drive, then caught two Schilz passes for eight more yards. Schilz capped the 47-yard drive with a seven-yard keeper on second-and-goal to give Bowling Green a 21-0 lead.

Buffalo's only points of the day came early in the fourth quarter, when they cashed in a two-play, 19-yard drive after a BGSU turnover. A four-yard Alex Dennison run and Patrick Clarke extra point provided the final 21-7 margin.

For the game, the Falcons' offense earned 310 yards on 72 plays. The team rushed for 82 yards, while Schilz passed for 228. The defense limited Buffalo to 197 yards and only 29 on the ground. The Bulls produced 129 of their 197 yards in the fourth quarter.

Schilz was 18/30 for 228 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Pettigrew led BGSU rushers with 29 carries for 93 yards and three receptions for 31 yards. Chris Gallon had five catches for 65 yards, while Joplin had three for 77. Ryan Burbrink also contributed three receptions.

Buffalo's Licata was 13/30 for 168 yards. Devin Campbell led Buffalo running backs with 26 net yards. Alex Neutz had six catches for 92 yards.

Thanks to the victory, Bowling Green improves to 8-4 and 6-2 in Mid-American Conference play. The eight wins are the most for the Falcons in the regular season since the team also went 8-4 in 2007. Buffalo's loss drops the Bulls to 4-8 and 3-5 in the MAC.

Notes
* Matt Schilz now ranks third in BGSU history with 7,673 passing yards.

* The Falcon defense entered Friday's contest leading the MAC in total defense (298.0), rushing defense (124.6), passing defense (173.5) and scoring defense (16.5). BGSU held Buffalo below all four numbers, allowing 197 yards, 29 rushing, 168 passing and just seven points.

* BGSU had a season-high seven sacks. Previous-high was six sacks versus Miami.

* Chris Jones now has 28.0 sacks in his career, three shy of the school record.

Ryland Ward Postgame

Dwayne Woods Postgame

John Pettigrew Postgame