Falcon Insider with Derek van der Merwe: October 31
10/31/2024
Important news happening in and around Bowling Green Athletics compiled by Director of Athletics Derek van der Merwe. This Falcon Insider shares upcoming dates to remember and news to be aware of in regards to Bowling Green State University Athletics.
Dear Falcon Family,
Falcon football has brought the Battle of I-75 trophy back to Bowling Green State University and our community! How else could we start this edition of “Falcon Insider”? This marks the first time since 1992 and 1994 that BGSU has won back-to-back trips to the Glass Bowl. Coach Scot Loeffler is the first BGSU coach since Gregg Brandon to beat Toledo three times in a six-year span and the first since Gary Blackney to win multiple games in the Glass Bowl. In the last three meetings between these teams, Toledo led for only three minutes and 18 seconds. Coach Loeffler has done an outstanding job of truly prioritizing this rivalry, upholding its traditions, and preparing our football student-athletes for this important game.
However, what I am most proud of is how this team celebrates with our students, fans, alumni, supporters, and ... our BAND! During the postgame celebration and again at an on-campus event on Monday, our team made everyone a part of the story, sharing that incredibly special moment together. Our team fights for our campus and local community, understanding the value of engaging people and making them part of the journey. Winning is hollow if you do not take the time to thank and celebrate with those who support you along the way. Being grateful and appreciative is the Bowling Green way! A big thank you to our campus community in Bowling Green and across the country who have invested time, energy, and resources in building this program over the past few years. Our work is not done, but your commitment to this and all our programs has been transformational and is deeply appreciated.
The fall semester is in full swing, and as I reflect on all that is happening, I want to highlight an exciting recent announcement. Bowling Green student-athletes finished the spring semester with a 3.49 cumulative grade point average, the highest academic achievement in the department’s history. In addition, our women’s sports programs won the Mid-American Conference Faculty Athletics Representative award for the 11th time in 17 years, setting a conference record. Our women’s sports programs achieved a 3.66 GPA last year, with no team below a 3.48. BGSU Athletics remains committed to supporting the University’s student-focused mission and strategic plan through intercollegiate athletics.
As we enter the final month of volleyball season, Coach Danijela Tomic has our team in the hunt for a championship. This team has captured the hearts of fans, students, and our community with their relentless pursuit of success. In late September, they set a new MAC attendance record when 4,201 fans packed the Stroh for a matchup against Ohio State University. The Falcons return home on November 5 at 6 p.m. for another Battle of I-75 showdown against the Rockets. Earlier this season, it took the Falcons five sets to secure the win over the Rockets. Your support is crucial for these last few home matches as we aim to host the Mid-American Conference tournament November 22-24.
On October 18, BGSU Athletics hosted its annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The event was a great success and a powerful reminder to all in attendance that our past, traditions, people, and history are fundamental to who we are. Over 250 people attended this sold-out event to celebrate Baseball student-athlete Burke Badenhop ’05, Women’s Basketball student-athlete Ali Mann ’07, Track and Field student-athlete Bob Clasen ’66, former equipment manager Don Woods, and the 1970 undefeated Men’s Lacrosse Team. [click here to watch ceremony] These outstanding Falcons were exceptional representatives of BGSU during their careers and continue to share how their experiences at the University have shaped their lives. Our sense of community, engagement, and care for one another are key core values that will always make BGSU special.
Last Saturday, we took a moment at Slater Family Ice Arena to honor the late Mark Wells and his family before the start of the hockey game. Mark will always hold a special place in our hockey legacy. A member of the BGSU Athletics Hall of Fame, an NHL draft pick, and a member of the gold-medal-winning 1980 USA "Miracle on Ice" Olympic team alongside fellow BGSU alum Ken Morrow, he will forever be part of our University's proud and accomplished history of outstanding alumni.
On November 2 at 2:30 p.m., BGSU will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the newly renovated Slater Family Ice Arena before kicking off the CCHA season against Ferris State University at 7:07 p.m. This renovation has been years in the making, funded by generous gifts from donors dedicated to the growth and success of BGSU Athletics and its hockey program. The project began with a lead gift totaling over $2.5 million from Scott Slater, for whom the facility is named. Most recently, Allen and Mary Green, Mark and Michelle Remeis, and Steve and Misty Green contributed a combined $1 million to support the project. These and other contributors to the project will be honored for their support of an arena and project that benefits our entire community. We remain grateful to the supporters from around the country and in our community who continue to make a lasting impact on the success and trajectory of our programs.
The Tanner Barton era could not have started any better, as his team celebrated a clean sweep at Canisius in the season opener. The Falcons topped host Canisius (226-71), Siena (234-63), and Rochester (236-62). Of the 16 individual events, BGSU claimed victory in all but one. The swimming & diving team heads to Akron on Friday but will host its first home event at Cooper Pool on Nov. 8 against Hillsdale.
We are entering our first MAC Championship event of the academic year on Saturday (Nov. 2) as our men’s and women’s cross country teams compete in Muncie, Ind. The women, coming off a win in the 12-team Falcon Invitational at the Mel Brodt Cross Country course, will run at 11 a.m., followed by the men at 12 p.m. at the Ball State Cross Country Course.
Basketball season is upon us as we enter the second year under head coaches Todd Simon (men’s basketball) and Fred Chmiel (women’s basketball). Both programs are coming off postseason bids last spring and are ready to advance in the 2024-25 campaign.
This week, we kicked off with a women’s basketball exhibition against Wittenberg as part of our Falcons’ School Day Game series. Thanks to our valued partnership with BG City Schools, we welcomed 1,300 students to the 11 a.m. game.
As we move into the regular season, both the men’s and women’s teams open the season on Nov. 4 against Southern Miss in the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge. The women’s team will play at home with a 7 p.m. tip at the Stroh Center, while the men’s team tips off in Hattiesburg, Miss. The men will host Davidson for their home opener on Friday, Nov. 8, with a 7 p.m. tip. Fly with us and secure your tickets for home basketball games by clicking here.
Last week, we lost a beloved member of our 1959 football national championship team, Ed Phillips. Ed, a 1961 graduate of Bowling Green State University and a 2013 inductee into the BGSU Athletics Hall of Fame with the rest of his 1959 team, was president of Phi Delta Theta and lettered in baseball. His passion for the University, athletics, and the football program was unwavering, and he will be deeply missed.
Ay Ziggy,
Derek van der Merwe
Sing it Loud, Sing it Proud??
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) October 26, 2024
AY ZIGGY ZOOMBA ?? pic.twitter.com/jjn0bvMS0Y
Brought the trophy home ?? #AYZIGGY pic.twitter.com/tZlAd6GAEh
— Bowling Green State University (@bgsu) October 27, 2024
As we gear up for our first meet of the season on Saturday, learn more about the team and their energy in the season preview below! #AyZiggy @MACSports https://t.co/3PzsgxuvIo
— BGSU Swim and Dive (@BGSU_SwimDive) October 17, 2024
It's another Monday in Bowling Green, which means another episode of the 10-part feature series, "Rising Stars: The New Wave of @BGSUMBB" ??
— Falcon Media Sports Network (@BG_FMSN) October 28, 2024
Check out episode 9 below as @TKavaleczSports helps us learn more about Wilguens Jr. Exacte ??https://t.co/LgkTEwUrCZ
Falcon Four gameday...@BGSU_WSoccer freshman goalkeeper Payton O'Malley shares her Falcon Four pregame rituals ?? pic.twitter.com/5HjM4sfRAA
— Falcon Media Sports Network (@BG_FMSN) October 27, 2024
Before the Battle of I-75 tomorrow, @BG_Football's Jamal Johnson shares his Falcon Four favorite Candies ?? ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/a6qBzduhsI
— Falcon Media Sports Network (@BG_FMSN) October 25, 2024
Hit-A-Thon was a success!! We are so grateful for everyone’s support of Bowling Green Softball!! #ayziggy #Team47 pic.twitter.com/MfoMWRO8wh
— BGSU Softball (@BGSUSoftball) October 31, 2024
We had a great time last night helping teach the next generation this great game with the BG Ice Cats mini mite and mite programs!@CCHAHockey | #AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/H7Q5b9aKAV
— BGSU Hockey (@BGSUHKY) October 30, 2024
Celebrating as a campus community! The Bowling Green way! Thank you @Pres_Rogers for throwing the party! @BGSU_Athletics @bgsu @CoachLoefflerBG @BG_Football pic.twitter.com/i3qiwBQZ53
— Derek van der Merwe (@vandermerwe63) October 28, 2024
On behalf of @BGSU, we want to thank our students, families, alumni, fans and the community for your support this weekend. During this time of disruption in college athletics, let us not forget the power college athletics has in bringing people together. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/EXh69KRQ3k
— Rodney K. Rogers (@Pres_Rogers) October 27, 2024
Broken Glass Everywhere ?? pic.twitter.com/0NeOO9V8nb
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) October 26, 2024
Bowling Green beat Toledo on the field and on Twitter pic.twitter.com/OkzdSBfOS3
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) October 27, 2024
FULL HOUSE for @BGSUHKY vs OSU???? #AYZIGGY pic.twitter.com/nrH2jmWTOe
— Bowling Green State University (@bgsu) October 27, 2024
At BG, we are all on one team ??@BG_Football ?? @BGSUFMB10 pic.twitter.com/plfzyO643x
— Bowling Green State University (@bgsu) October 27, 2024
We had a great time, last weekend at the First-Ever @MACSports Fall Championships ! ??#AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/RBdLYQqWwv
— BGSU Tennis (@BGSUTennis) October 29, 2024
Get used to seeing this! ?
— BGSU Women’s Basketball (@BGSUWBB) October 29, 2024
Nae Donahue earns this year’s first Defensive Player Of The Game shield ?? #T??GETHER x #AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/3QWwXBHtkn
Trick or Treat at the Greek Village. Big thanks to @BG_Football @BGSUVolleyball @BGSUMBB @BGSUWBB pic.twitter.com/YRP74GafxJ
— BGSU Athletics (@BGSU_Athletics) October 28, 2024
Harold Fannin Jr. is the newly crowned HIGHEST RATED TIGHT END in @EASPORTSCollege pic.twitter.com/g8kyPDUBpm
— BGSU Athletics (@BGSU_Athletics) October 25, 2024
Dates to Remember
- Men’s and Women’s Basketball season and single-game tickets are on sale
- Hockey single game tickets are on sale
- Nov. 2 - Ribbon-Cutting for the Green, Remeis and Green Mezzanine at the Slater Family Ice Arena (2:30 p.m.)
- Dec. 2 - Winter Sports Luncheon. Register by clicking here.
Another sweep for @BGSUVolleyball!#AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/6mRpKZZ66E
— BGSU Athletics (@BGSU_Athletics) October 26, 2024
Another Falcon-tastic Friday!
— BGSU Athletics (@BGSU_Athletics) October 25, 2024
Remember to wear that ORANGE on Falcon Friday pic.twitter.com/0K6VWtm4zJ
Hoops Night complete, season up next for @BGSUMBB and @BGSUWBB!#AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/IF8DOLzXqO
— BGSU Athletics (@BGSU_Athletics) October 24, 2024
Dalton Norris of @BGSUHKY stops by for 60 Seconds with the Falcons with @vandermerwe63
— BGSU Athletics (@BGSU_Athletics) October 24, 2024
Huge home game vs. Ohio State Saturday at 7:37 p.m. pic.twitter.com/lzQfThu2XQ
The rivalry means everything to the Bowling Green State University football player, and so did the milestone he accomplished in his final showdown against Toledo. @BG_Football https://t.co/e2lGOmvSl6
— Blade Sports (@toledosports) October 27, 2024
FOOTBALL
- Bowling Green’s 27-20 win at Akron marked the program’s 300th victory in MAC play, ranking No. 3 in the league with 302 wins, behind Miami (OH) (320) and Toledo (303).
- The Falcons’ recent win at Toledo marked the first back-to-back wins at the Glass Bowl since 1992 and 1994.
- Scot Loeffler is the first BGSU coach since Gregg Brandon to beat Toledo three times in six years and the first since Gary Blackney to win multiple games at the Glass Bowl against Toledo.
- In the last three meetings, Toledo has led for only 3 minutes and 18 seconds.
- The Falcons have scored 114 points against Toledo over the past three years, averaging 38 points per game.
- TE Harold Fannin Jr. leads all tight ends nationally in receptions (66), receiving yards (947), yards after catch (533), first downs (46), and broken tackles (23), and is tied for receiving touchdowns (6). According to Pro Football Focus, Fannin holds the nation’s highest grade (95.6) and ranks No. 1 in pass routes (96.1).
- QB Connor Bazelak set a BGSU single-game record with 85.2% completion (23-of-27) for 313 yards against Kent State, ranking No. 10 nationally in completion percentage (69.6%) for 2024.
- CB Jordan Oladokun limited Kent State’s Chrishon McCray to two catches for five yards in the Oct. 19 matchup.
- BGSU has recorded 20 sacks this season; since 2022, the team ranks 17th nationally and first in the MAC with 91 sacks.
- Fannin has been named John Mackey Award Player of the Week and MAC Offensive Player of the Week three times this season.
- BGSU snapped two Penn State streaks (28 games), scoring a touchdown on their opening possession and allowing no sacks.
- Justin Pegues was named MAC Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 2 with a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown.
VOLLEYBALL
- The Falcons are 9-2 in the MAC, tied for first with Central Michigan.
- On Oct. 26, the team recorded a season-best hitting percentage of .337.
- Alexis Mettille’s 311 career blocks tie her for fourth place in the program’s Rally Scoring Era.
- On Oct. 7, BGSU swept the MAC awards with Mia Tyler (Offensive), Alexis Mettille (Defensive), and Amanda Otten (Setter).
- Lauryn Hovey broke the Rally Scoring Era record for career aces with 115 and reached her 1,000th career kill.
MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
- Finished sixth at the Falcon Invitational at the Mel Brodt Cross Country Course, led by Micah Bentley’s 25th-place finish.
WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
- Won the Falcon Invitational with six runners in the top 20, led by Kylee Cubbison’s second-place finish.
SWIMMING & DIVING
- The Tanner Barton era started strong, with a sweep of Canisius, Siena, and Rochester. Falcons won 15 of 16 events, and diver Natalia Mayorga qualified for NCAA Diving Zones with a score of 278.35.
MEN’S SOCCER
- Despite more second-half shots, BGSU fell to Evansville 1-0. They are now tied for fourth in the MVC and have a chance to host an MVC Tournament game.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
- The BGSU defense posted two shutouts last week and is fourth in the MAC standings. A win or tie in the final game at Kent State would secure a home game for the MAC Tournament’s first round.
MEN’S GOLF
- Finished fourth at the Golden Grizzlies Intercollegiate; senior Zander Gibson shot a tournament-best round of 65 (-7).
- Finished ninth at the Virtues Intercollegiate, with senior Luke Evans recording his second-best career round of 71.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
- Picked to finish fourth in the MAC; Amy Velasco and Erika Porter were named to the Preseason All-MAC Team.
- Hosted Wittenberg on Oct. 29, with the regular season opener against Southern Miss on Nov. 4 in the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge.
WOMEN’S GOLF
- Finished second at the A-Ga-Ming Invitational and fifth at the Powercat Invitational, marking the first time since 2018-19 with consecutive top-five finishes.
TENNIS
- Competed at the Eastern Michigan Invitational, with multiple singles and doubles wins. Defeated Lourdes University 7-0, conceding only two sets.
ICE HOCKEY
- Hockey won its first series under head coach Dennis Williams at Mercyhurst.
- The Falcons scored two power-play goals
- BGSU has its best start to a season since 2020-21.
- Graduate Ville Immonen recorded his first points as a Falcon with an assist on Pfoh's first goal and scored his own at 2:42 in the third period.
- Earned a 4-1 win against Robert Morris, scoring four unanswered goals in the first period.
- Freshman Max Martin tallied four points over the weekend, with two goals and two assists.
- Finished the weekend 1-1, splitting games with Western Michigan and RIT.
- Handed RIT its first loss in a homecoming game since 2014.
- Gustav Stjernberg scored the game-winner, marking his first career goal and his first goal of the season.
- Freshman Adam Zlnka recorded his first official point as a Falcon with an assist.
- Freshman Maxwell Martin scored his first career goal in Game one against Ohio State.
GYMNASTICS
- BGSU head coach Brittney Emmons announced her first schedule. You can read about it by clicking here.
- Emmons officially announced her first staff with the hiring of Ciera Martin and Hannah Hartung as assistant coaches.
