Game Notes: BANGIN’ WITH THE BCS Since the 2001 season, the Falcons are 5-0 against BCS conference affiliated schools, including a 3-0 record on the road. Twenty-two current Falcons have been part of this success, including 11 who have started during the last two years.
2001 .................... BGSU 20, at Missouri 13
.................... BGSU 42, Temple 23
.................... BGSU 43, at Northwestern 42
2002 .................... BGSU 51, Missouri 28
.................... BGSU 39, at Kansas 16
BRINGS BACK MEMORIES The Falcons’ last win over a nationally-ranked opponent came on September 16, 1972 when Don Nehlen’s Falcons upset #18 Purdue, 17-14, in West Lafayette. Don Taylor’s 29-yard field goal for BGSU was the lone score in the game in the second half and provided the margin of victory. That game stands as the only other meeting between the two schools.
AGAINST A TOP 25 TEAM The last time BGSU faced a nationally ranked squad was in the 2000 season opener at #4 Michigan.
AGAINST THE BIG TEN The Falcons are 2-7 (all on the road) against the Big Ten but are coming off a 43-42 win at Northwestern in 2001.
FAMILY TIES --BGSU Football Coach Gregg Brandon’s oldest son, Nick, is a sophomore at Purdue. He is currently in Tennessee working in a co-op program as part of his academic requirements.
--Junior offensive lineman Scott Mruczkowski’s oldest brother, Gene, was an Academic All-American offensive lineman at Purdue in 2002.
--BGSU head trainer Doug Boersma is a 1997 graduate of Purdue.
A WINNER AND A LEADER During the last three years, BGSU is 14-3 in games Josh Harris has started... he guided the Falcons to an 11-game winning streak over two seasons and helped BGSU earn its highest ever national ranking (#16, ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll)... he also is the first quarterback in MAC history to have a 4-0 record against BCS conference affiliated teams.
“He reminds me of Michael Vick,” said Toledo linebacker Tom Ward on Josh Harris. “He can run very well and cut back and forth. Once you get him out of the pocket and scrambling, boom, he hits someone deep for a big play, or he takes off running and leaves you frustrated.”
Harris Up For Davey O’Brien Award: The Davey O'Brien Foundation has included BGSU quarterback Josh Harris on the watch list for the 2003 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, given annually to the nation's top college quarterback.
BLEACHERS ARE REMOVED The bleachers located in the south end zone of Perry Stadium are being taken down and will not be replaced. The area will now feature the Falcon Club tent, a Falcon Fanatic Store, and inflatable games for kids. The actual capacity of Doyt Perry Stadium will now be 28,599, a reduction of 2,000 from last year.
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