Point in Time: Falcons Storm Back in 1973, Beat Toledo for First Time at the Doyt

The BGSU Athletics Department is celebrating 50 years of Doyt L. Perry Stadium this season, culminating on Oct. 1, 2016 at Homecoming. The Falcons will host Eastern Michigan on the 50th anniversary of the first football game in Perry Stadium history, a 13-0 Falcons win over Dayton on Oct. 1, 1966.

In leading up to Homecoming, BGSU Athletics is taking a look back at a few of the great Bowling Green games in Doyt Perry Stadium history. For the final edition of this series, we look back at the day Paul Miles led a huge second half comeback to help BGSU earn their first victory in the Battle of I-75 at Doyt Perry Stadium on Oct. 6, 1973.

The BG News from Oct. 9, 1973

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Point in Time: Falcons' Huge Second Quarter Crushes Ball State in 1994
Point in Time: BGSU Downs Dayton 13-0 in Doyt Perry Stadium Debut
Point in Time: Falcons Set Stadium Record for Points Against Ohio in 2002
Point in Time: Miraculous Finish Leads to Win Over Miami in 1985
Point in Time: Falcons Fly Past Missouri in 2002

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Celebrating 50 Years Of The Doyt

The Bowling Green Falcons captured their first-ever victory over the Toledo Rockets at Doyt Perry Stadium on Oct. 6, 1973. BGSU overcame an 18-point halftime deficit by scoring five touchdowns while holding Toledo scoreless in the second half for a 49-35 win. The victory occurred as BGSU honored the 25th anniversary of the Falcons' undefeated 1948 team.

The first half was a forgettable one for BGSU. The Falcons committed five turnovers and had a punt blocked, lost linebacker John Villapiano to injury, and gave up 35 points. Toledo took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, and although BGSU recovered to take a brief 17-14 lead, the Rockets scored three more quick touchdowns for a 35-17 edge at the break.

The second half proved to be far different. Bowling Green punched the ball into the end zone five times and outscored the Rockets 32-0. Paul Miles started the scoring with a two yard run, and Phil Polak added two of his own. Reid Lamport gave BGSU a 36-35 lead late in the third quarter with a 19 yard touchdown throw to Hal Thomas, then capped the scoring with a nine-yard pass to Greg Meczka.

Miles rushed for 182 yards on 38 carries and scored twice. His first carry of the day, for four yards, broke BGSU's career rushing record at the time (2,564 yards). He is still third on the all-time list. Polak added 71 yards as the Falcons outrushed Toledo 261-136 and outgained them overall 473-374. Lamport connected on 11 passes for 212 yards and threw for three touchdowns.

The win was the fourth in a row to start the 1973 season for head coach Don Nehlen's team. The Falcons would eventually finish 7-3 and earn their most wins in a season since 1965.

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