Bowling Green State University Athletics
Photo by: Mallory Hiser, BGSU Athletics
Bowling Green Sweeps MAC East Division Player of the Week Honors
September 27, 2021 | Football
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green swept the MAC East Division Player of the Week honors for games played through Sept. 26, announced the Mid-American Conference. QB Matt McDonald was named offensive player of the week, LB Brock Horne was named defensive player of the week and P Matt Naranjo was named special teams player of the week.
McDonald (Sr., Newport Beach, Calif.) rushed for two touchdowns, accounting for all of BGSU's scores in the upset of Minnesota. The BGSU win halted Minnesota's 21-game winning streak against non-conference teams, which was the longest in the nation heading into the week. McDonald navigated the BGSU offense against the nation's No. 14 defense, which has only allowed 255 yards of total offense over the last 120 minutes of football. His first touchdown of the game snapped Minnesota's streak of 87:24 of game time without allowing points. Tailing in the late in the third quarter, 10-7, McDonald led BGSU on an 8-play, 65-yard drive to take the lead for good. His rush on a 4th and 1 opportunity from the BG 43 went for 18 yards. Four plays later BG was in the end zone and on top for good. The 18-yard rush was BG's longest of the game.
Horne (Romeo, Mich.) was a key cog in helping Bowling Green upset Minnesota and holding the Gophers to 241 yards of total offense, while also forcing six three-and-outs. The 241 yards of total offense was the fewest yards Minnesota has gained at home since a 2017 meeting with Wisconsin. The 241 yards of total offense was the fewest yards Minnesota gained at home against a non-"Power 5" school since 2009 against South Dakota State. Horne led BGSU with nine tackles, 1.0 sack and one forced fumble. His sack pushed Minnesota out of field goal range early in the game, forcing the Gophers to punt. Forced a fumble with the ball in BGSU territory. The Falcons covered up the ball and stopped another Minnesota drive.
Naranjo (Sr., Skokie, Ill.) helped flip the field multiple times in BGSU's upset at Minnesota. Averaged 44.1 yards per punt, had two pinned inside the 20-yard line and set a Huntington Bank Stadium record with a 77-yard punt against the Gophers.
McDonald (Sr., Newport Beach, Calif.) rushed for two touchdowns, accounting for all of BGSU's scores in the upset of Minnesota. The BGSU win halted Minnesota's 21-game winning streak against non-conference teams, which was the longest in the nation heading into the week. McDonald navigated the BGSU offense against the nation's No. 14 defense, which has only allowed 255 yards of total offense over the last 120 minutes of football. His first touchdown of the game snapped Minnesota's streak of 87:24 of game time without allowing points. Tailing in the late in the third quarter, 10-7, McDonald led BGSU on an 8-play, 65-yard drive to take the lead for good. His rush on a 4th and 1 opportunity from the BG 43 went for 18 yards. Four plays later BG was in the end zone and on top for good. The 18-yard rush was BG's longest of the game.
Horne (Romeo, Mich.) was a key cog in helping Bowling Green upset Minnesota and holding the Gophers to 241 yards of total offense, while also forcing six three-and-outs. The 241 yards of total offense was the fewest yards Minnesota has gained at home since a 2017 meeting with Wisconsin. The 241 yards of total offense was the fewest yards Minnesota gained at home against a non-"Power 5" school since 2009 against South Dakota State. Horne led BGSU with nine tackles, 1.0 sack and one forced fumble. His sack pushed Minnesota out of field goal range early in the game, forcing the Gophers to punt. Forced a fumble with the ball in BGSU territory. The Falcons covered up the ball and stopped another Minnesota drive.
Naranjo (Sr., Skokie, Ill.) helped flip the field multiple times in BGSU's upset at Minnesota. Averaged 44.1 yards per punt, had two pinned inside the 20-yard line and set a Huntington Bank Stadium record with a 77-yard punt against the Gophers.
Players Mentioned
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