Bowling Green State University Athletics
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Know the Opponent: Northern Illinois
August 04, 2017 | Football
Over the course of six weeks, BGSUFalcons.com will break down the 12 opponents that BGSU Football will face during the 2017 season. The Falcons' eighth game of the season comes Oct. 21 as the Falcons host Northern Illinois. BGSU and NIU have split four meetings over the past four years with Bowling Green winning 2-of-3 contests in the MAC Championship game.
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SEASON TICKET INFORMATION
SEASON TICKET BENEFITS (SPARK PAGE)
ROAD GAME TICKET PRICES/SALES INFORMATION
FOOTBALL TICKETS PAGE
DON'T MAKE IT TWO IN A ROW
The Huskies own a losing 9-12 all-time record against the Falcons, but they have been improving on that as of late. In the teams' last seven meetings, NIU has been victorious in five. Most recently, they beat BG 45-20 at home in 2016. Both of those Falcon wins, though, have taken place in their last four meetings with the Huskies. Both came at Ford Field in the MAC Championship. NIU has not put together back-to-back wins over Bowling Green since their 16-13 win in 2008 was followed up by a 45-14 victory in 2011.
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PREVIOUS KNOW THE OPPONENT FEATURES
MICHIGAN STATE
SOUTH DAKOTA
NORTHWESTERN
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE
AKRON
MIAMI
OHIO
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BOUNCING BACK
Both the Huskies and Falcons experienced something last season they had not for some time: a losing record. Since 2012, both teams have recorded more wins than losses in every season. 2016, however, was a setback for them each. While BG had a 4-8 record, NIU posted a poor 5-7 mark as well. The losing season was Bowling Green's first since 2012, but disappointment was a bit harsher on the Huskies, whose streak of playing above .500 ball dates back to 2008.
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LEFT SIDE LEFT OPEN
Despite a 5-7 season, the Huskies' offensive line was unbelievable, leading the nation in fewest sacks with just eight. This can be attributed to all-conference linemen Levon Myers and Max Scharping as well as Josh Ruka. Now with Myers and Ruka gone, it is up to Scharping to shape the NIU pass protectors the best he can to mirror last season's dominance.
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QUESTIONS AT QUARTERBACK
The Huskies did not have a single play-caller that played in every game last season. Injuries have plagued the QB position for the past few years, and the uncertainty carries into 2017. Leading passer Anthony Maddie is gone, but second-best Ryan Graham will be back. He will battle for the starting job along with sophomore Daniel Santacaterina and redshirt freshman Marcus Childers. Graham, a redshirt junior, threw for 680 yards and eight scores in seven games last year while Santacaterina totaled 361 yards and one score in the last two games of the season.
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HUSKY HERITAGE
Former standout Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch joined the team's football coaching staff and became the fifth coach with ties to NIU. Lynch is the third Northern Illinois graduate and fourth former player to be on the staff. He joins former cornerbacks Melvin Rice (2005-08), Cameron Stingily (2010, 2013-14) as well as former quarterback Craig Harmon (1998-2000). Offensive coordinator Mike Uremovich has been with NIU before, too, serving as a graduate assistant from 2001-03.
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SEASON TICKET INFORMATION
SEASON TICKET BENEFITS (SPARK PAGE)
ROAD GAME TICKET PRICES/SALES INFORMATION
FOOTBALL TICKETS PAGE
DON'T MAKE IT TWO IN A ROW
The Huskies own a losing 9-12 all-time record against the Falcons, but they have been improving on that as of late. In the teams' last seven meetings, NIU has been victorious in five. Most recently, they beat BG 45-20 at home in 2016. Both of those Falcon wins, though, have taken place in their last four meetings with the Huskies. Both came at Ford Field in the MAC Championship. NIU has not put together back-to-back wins over Bowling Green since their 16-13 win in 2008 was followed up by a 45-14 victory in 2011.
Â
PREVIOUS KNOW THE OPPONENT FEATURES
MICHIGAN STATE
SOUTH DAKOTA
NORTHWESTERN
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE
AKRON
MIAMI
OHIO
Â
BOUNCING BACK
Both the Huskies and Falcons experienced something last season they had not for some time: a losing record. Since 2012, both teams have recorded more wins than losses in every season. 2016, however, was a setback for them each. While BG had a 4-8 record, NIU posted a poor 5-7 mark as well. The losing season was Bowling Green's first since 2012, but disappointment was a bit harsher on the Huskies, whose streak of playing above .500 ball dates back to 2008.
Â
LEFT SIDE LEFT OPEN
Despite a 5-7 season, the Huskies' offensive line was unbelievable, leading the nation in fewest sacks with just eight. This can be attributed to all-conference linemen Levon Myers and Max Scharping as well as Josh Ruka. Now with Myers and Ruka gone, it is up to Scharping to shape the NIU pass protectors the best he can to mirror last season's dominance.
Â
QUESTIONS AT QUARTERBACK
The Huskies did not have a single play-caller that played in every game last season. Injuries have plagued the QB position for the past few years, and the uncertainty carries into 2017. Leading passer Anthony Maddie is gone, but second-best Ryan Graham will be back. He will battle for the starting job along with sophomore Daniel Santacaterina and redshirt freshman Marcus Childers. Graham, a redshirt junior, threw for 680 yards and eight scores in seven games last year while Santacaterina totaled 361 yards and one score in the last two games of the season.
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HUSKY HERITAGE
Former standout Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch joined the team's football coaching staff and became the fifth coach with ties to NIU. Lynch is the third Northern Illinois graduate and fourth former player to be on the staff. He joins former cornerbacks Melvin Rice (2005-08), Cameron Stingily (2010, 2013-14) as well as former quarterback Craig Harmon (1998-2000). Offensive coordinator Mike Uremovich has been with NIU before, too, serving as a graduate assistant from 2001-03.
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