Falcons Put On Show In Annual Spring Game

April 11, 2015 | Football

First team offense edges out second team offense

By: by Matt Daley, BGSUFalcons.com

Babers Audio | Johnson Audio
Photo Gallery

The Bowling Green State University held their annual spring football game, which marks the end of the spring practice period, on Saturday (April 11) at Doyt L. Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio. The first-team offense earned a 36-34 victory over the second-team offense when Matt Johnson scored on a one-yard keeper on the final play of the game.

The Falcon defense held the offenses in check throughout much of the first quarter. Malik Brown recorded both of his sacks during the opening period and ultimately produced five tackles during the game.

The first-team offense finally broke through late in the first quarter, when Johnson threw a short pass to Ronnie Moore, who cut up the right sideline and ran for a 40-yard touchdown.

Tyler Tate drilled a 50-yard field goal during the final minute of the first frame which gave the first-team offense a 9-0 lead.

On the following possession, James Knapke got the second-team offense on the scoreboard by throwing a 19-yard touchdown strike over the middle to Teo Redding. That play cut the first team's advantage to 9-6, and they held that through halftime.

The teams focused on red zone offense and defense in the second half, and that allowed for much more scoring. During the final half of the game, Johnson threw three touchdown passes and ran for another, while Knapke added one more to his total.

The running game also shined during the second half, as Donovan Wilson and Patric Hannon combined for three scores, including a 20-yard touchdown run by Hannon which game the second-team offense a 34-23 lead.

After the Hannon run, Johnson threw a short touchdown pass to Moore to cut the first team's deficit to 34-30 before leading his offense to the game-winning score on the final play of the game.

Johnson finished with 17 completions in 23 attempts, 182 yards, four passing touchdowns and one rushing score. Knapke passed 27 times and completed 21 of those. He threw for 210 yards and two touchdowns. Neither quarterback was intercepted.

The game was highlighted by outstanding performances from several newcomers. Wilson carried the ball 14 times for 79 yards and caught two passes for 29 more yards. He scored one touchdown. Hannon's two touchdowns were part of four total carries for 39 yards. Matt Domer added six rushes for 22 yards. On the receiving end, Brandon Poncsak caught four passes for 44 yards and a touchdown. Tim Tupa, son of former NFL player Tom Topa, added five catches for 36 yards.

Several defenders also had outstanding efforts. Shannon Smith earned three sacks to go with the two Brown posted in the first quarter. Austin Valdez had four tackles for loss, and Brian Sanders created two tackles for loss, including a sack.

During the first half, the first-team offense and defense squared off against each other, while the second-teamers faced each other. When the teams returned for the second half, the first team on both sides of the ball matched up with the second team on the other side.

PASSING
Matt Johnson: 17-23, 182, 4 TD, 1 rushing TD
James Knapke: 21-27, 210, 2 TD

RUSHING
Donovan Wilson: 14 for 79, 1 TD
Patric Hannon: 4 for 39, 2 TD
Fred Coppet: 11 for 38
Matt Domer: 6 for 22
Brian Jennings: 5 for 20
Ronnie Moore: 1 for 8

RECEIVING
Ronnie Moore: 7 for 83, 2 TD
Gehrig Dieter: 4 for 49, 2 TD
Brandon Poncsak: 4 for 44, 1 TD
Tim Tupa: 5 for 36
Jermal Hosley: 5 for 31
Donovan Wilson: 2 for 29
Ryan Burbrink: 4 for 27
Teo Redding: 2 for 21, 1 TD
Marcus Boomer: 1 for 13
Trevor Roop: 1 for 13
Hunter Folkertsma: 1 for 13
Brian Jennings: 1 for 10

DEFENSE
Austin Valdez: 6 tackles, 4 TFL
Nate Locke: 6 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack
Clinton Stephens: 6 tackles
Shannon Smith: 5 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 sacks
Malik Brown: 5 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 sacks
Brian Sanders: 5 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack
Izaah Lunsford: 4 tackles, 2 TFL
Marcus Milton: 4 tackles
Ben Hale: 4 tackles
Alfonso Mack: 4 tackles
Isaiah Gourdine: 4 tackles
Gus Schwieterman: 3 tackles, 2 TFL
Terrance Bush: 3 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack
Jalen Dingle: 3 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack
Trenton Greene: 3 tackles, 1 TFL
Dernard Turner: 3 tackles
Aaron Banks: 2 tackles, 1 TFL
Jack Walz: 2 tackles, 1 TFL
Matt Robinson: 2 tackles, 1 TFL
Zac Bartman: 2 tackles
James Sanford: 2 tackles
Nilijah Ballew: 2 tackles
Darrell Hunter: 1 tackle
Bryan Baird: 1 tackle
Mike Minns: 1 tackle