USA Today- Blurb on the Squad
Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 9:34 pm
We're really starting to get some nice attention.
Who are those guys?
Each week USA TODAY takes a look at a surprise team in the polls or a team that has pulled off a recent upset. This week:
Bowling Green
Nickname: Falcons.
Location: Bowling Green, Ohio.
Coach: Gregg Brandon, second season.
Record: 8-2 (6-1 Mid-American Conference).
Preseason prediction within conference: Third, MAC West.
Poll positions: BCS 25th, USA TODAY/ESPN coaches' 24th, Associated Press media 25th.
Why now? After seven consecutive wins, they moved into all three rankings this week.
Best win: Last week, 56-35 against Marshall.
Up next: Nov. 23 at Toledo (7-3, 6-1) on ESPN2.
Senior starters: Five offense, four defense.
Style points: Quarterback Omar Jacobs (3,222 yards, 32 TDs, three interceptions) leads a balanced attack that has committed just seven turnovers, second-best nationally. Against Marshall, Jacobs threw for 389 yards and five touchdowns, earning conference player of the week honors. Running back P.J. Pope (875 yards, 12 TDs) adds to a rushing attack that has amassed 1,687 yards and 20 scores. Three Falcons receivers have caught at least five TD passes. The MAC's top defense is led by defensive back Keon Newsom, who has returned two of his four interceptions for TDs, including a 42-yarder last week. Linebacker Jovon Burkes, despite playing most of the season with a broken thumb, leads the team with 73 tackles.
Bowl history: 3-3. Most recent: 2003 Motor City Bowl, won 28-24 against Northwestern.
Stattitudes: Jacobs leads the nation in passing touchdowns and is eight shy of breaking the MAC season record (Chad Pennington, 1999). ... Kicker Shaun Suisham needs four extra points to break the Div. I-A career record. ... Defensive tackle Matt Leininger has 16 tackles, 81/2 for a loss.
Did you know? Bowling Green has won eight or more games four seasons in a row for the first time.
Who are those guys?
Each week USA TODAY takes a look at a surprise team in the polls or a team that has pulled off a recent upset. This week:
Bowling Green
Nickname: Falcons.
Location: Bowling Green, Ohio.
Coach: Gregg Brandon, second season.
Record: 8-2 (6-1 Mid-American Conference).
Preseason prediction within conference: Third, MAC West.
Poll positions: BCS 25th, USA TODAY/ESPN coaches' 24th, Associated Press media 25th.
Why now? After seven consecutive wins, they moved into all three rankings this week.
Best win: Last week, 56-35 against Marshall.
Up next: Nov. 23 at Toledo (7-3, 6-1) on ESPN2.
Senior starters: Five offense, four defense.
Style points: Quarterback Omar Jacobs (3,222 yards, 32 TDs, three interceptions) leads a balanced attack that has committed just seven turnovers, second-best nationally. Against Marshall, Jacobs threw for 389 yards and five touchdowns, earning conference player of the week honors. Running back P.J. Pope (875 yards, 12 TDs) adds to a rushing attack that has amassed 1,687 yards and 20 scores. Three Falcons receivers have caught at least five TD passes. The MAC's top defense is led by defensive back Keon Newsom, who has returned two of his four interceptions for TDs, including a 42-yarder last week. Linebacker Jovon Burkes, despite playing most of the season with a broken thumb, leads the team with 73 tackles.
Bowl history: 3-3. Most recent: 2003 Motor City Bowl, won 28-24 against Northwestern.
Stattitudes: Jacobs leads the nation in passing touchdowns and is eight shy of breaking the MAC season record (Chad Pennington, 1999). ... Kicker Shaun Suisham needs four extra points to break the Div. I-A career record. ... Defensive tackle Matt Leininger has 16 tackles, 81/2 for a loss.
Did you know? Bowling Green has won eight or more games four seasons in a row for the first time.