Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Defeat Salukis for 7th Straight Win
The Bowling Green Falcons fought back from a half-time deficit to conquer the Southern Illinois Saluki’s, 23-14 Saturday, before a Dad’s Day crowd of 7,000 fans in Southern Illinois’ McAndrews Stadium. The victory was the seventh straight for Coach Doyt Perry’s team.
A stubborn Southern Illinois team offered a good battle before having a three game winning streak snapped. The loss evened the Salukis’ record at 4-4. Chuck Comer led the Falcons’ attack with 77 yards gained in rushing. More than half of Comer’s total yardage was gained on a 44-yard run in the third quarter. Jerry Dianiskas and Bernie Casey followed with 47 and 32 yards.
Bob Colburn passed for a total of 154 yards as he connected on 8 of 15 attempts. It was an 80-yard pass okay from Colburn to Ron Blackledge that accounted for Bowling Green’s only touchdown in the first half.
The Falcons wasted little time in letting the Salukis know why Bowling Green is ranked 4th best small college in the nation, as Colburn’s first pass play resulted in six points. Chuck Ramsey’s conversion gave the falcons a 7-0 lead before the game was two minutes old.
However, Southern Illinois bounced back; driving 66 yards in 16 plays, the first time it gained possession of the pigskin, to go out front, 8-7.
The Saluki’s were handed a golden opportunity on the next series of plays when Roger Klicman fumbled on Bowling Green’s 30. However, they were unable to take advantage and lost the ball on downs to Bowling Green.
Neither team could sustain a drive in the second period. As a result, the Saluki’s held a slim, one-point advantage at half-time.
Bowling Green was a fired-up team as it came storming out to begin the second half. The Falcon defensive team shoved the Salukis around for minus yardage on the first series of plays in the third quarter, and Southern Illinois was forced to punt out of danger.
The offensive unit then went to work for the Falcons, as they powered their way to a touchdown. The 43-yard drive was led by Comer and Dianiska, with Casey going off the left tackle for the final yardage. This time Bowling Green went for the two extra points as Dianiska carried over left tackle to put the Falcons out in front 15-8.
Al Hoover set up Bowling Green’s fourth touchdown when he recovered a Saluki fumble on the Falcon’s 40. Comer took off on the Falcons’ longest run just two plays later, as he scampered 44-yards to the Saluki four yard line. Comer then drove the remaining distance for the score. Comer passed to Casey for the extra points and Bowling Green led 23-8 with 5:05 remaining in the third quarter.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Salukis were able to put together one last drive for a touchdown. The pass for two points was complete, but a clipping penalty nullified the play.
The Bowling Green Falcons fought back from a half-time deficit to conquer the Southern Illinois Saluki’s, 23-14 Saturday, before a Dad’s Day crowd of 7,000 fans in Southern Illinois’ McAndrews Stadium. The victory was the seventh straight for Coach Doyt Perry’s team. A stubborn Southern Illinois team offered a good battle before having a three game winning streak snapped. The loss evened the Salukis’ record at 4-4. Chuck Comer led the Falcons’ attack with 77 yards gained in rushing. More than half of Comer’s total yardage was gained on a 44-yard run in the third quarter. Jerry Dianiskas and Bernie Casey followed with 47 and 32 yards.
Bob Colburn passed for a total of 154 yards as he connected on 8 of 15 attempts. It was an 80-yard pass okay from Colburn to Ron Blackledge that accounted for Bowling Green’s only touchdown in the first half.
The Falcons wasted little time in letting the Salukis know why Bowling Green is ranked 4th best small college in the nation, as Colburn’s first pass play resulted in six points. Chuck Ramsey’s conversion gave the falcons a 7-0 lead before the game was two minutes old.
However, Southern Illinois bounced back; driving 66 yards in 16 plays, the first time it gained possession of the pigskin, to go out front, 8-7.
The Saluki’s were handed a golden opportunity on the next series of plays when Roger Klicman fumbled on Bowling Green’s 30. However, they were unable to take advantage and lost the ball on downs to Bowling Green.
Neither team could sustain a drive in the second period. As a result, the Saluki’s held a slim, one-point advantage at half-time. Bowling Green was a fired-up team as it came storming out to begin the second half. The Falcon defensive team shoved the Salukis around for minus yardage on the first series of plays in the third quarter, and Southern Illinois was forced to punt out of danger.
The offensive unit then went to work for the Falcons, as they powered their way to a touchdown. The 43-yard drive was led by Comer and Dianiska, with Casey going off the left tackle for the final yardage. This time Bowling Green went for the two extra points as Dianiska carried over left tackle to put the Falcons out in front 15-8.
Al Hoover set up Bowling Green’s fourth touchdown when he recovered a Saluki fumble on the Falcon’s 40. Comer took off on the Falcons’ longest run just two plays later, as he scampered 44-yards to the Saluki four yard line. Comer then drove the remaining distance for the score. Comer passed to Casey for the extra points and Bowling Green led 23-8 with 5:05 remaining in the third quarter.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Salukis were able to put together one last drive for a touchdown. The pass for two points was complete, but a clipping penalty nullified the play.