Saturday, Sept. 25 -- Noon ET
TCF Bank Stadium -- Minneapolis, MN
ESPNU
One week after picking up its first win of 2021, Bowling Green heads northwest for a matchup against Big Ten foe Minnesota.
The Golden Gophers fell to Ohio State in Week One, but since then have run off two straight victories. One was against Mid-American Conference Miami (31-26), while the second came last week -- a 30-0 road blanking of Colorado.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS (2-1, 0-1 Big Ten)
>> Minnesota suffered big personnel loss in Week One when Big Ten 2020 Running Back of the Year Mo Ibraham was injured and lost for the season. Sophomore Treyson Potts stepped into the feature back role and and shined in both starts. He rushed for 178 yards on 34 carries while scoring two TDs and averaging 5.2 ypc against Miami. It was his second half running that helped the Gophers hold off Miami's big second half rally.
Potts carried 26 times for 121 yards (4.7 ypc) while scoring three touchdowns in UM's 30-0 victory at Colorado last week.
>> Neither team scored in the first quarter, but Potts tallied on runs of 13- and 2- yards before halftime as Minnesota led 13-0 at intermission. His final score came on a short run late in the third period.
Matthew Tricket's 33-yard field goal and a Ky Thomas 13-yard run at 5:09 accounted for fourth quarter scoring.
>> Minnesota's domination in the game, especially on the road, was remarkable. The Golden Gophers owned a 441-63 advantage in total yardage and 22-6 edge in first downs.
>> Riding its strong run game and benefitting from two Colorado turnovers, Minnesota held the ball for 40:13 of clock time. Minnesota is No. 4 in the nation in time of possession, holding the ball for an average of 37:10 per game.
>> The Golden Gophers rushed on 53 of 70 snaps, averaging 5.2 ypc. In addition to Pott's contributions, UM got another 89 yards from Markese Potts and 66 and one TD from Ky Thomas.
>> Quarterback Tanner Morgan completed 11-of-17 passes for 164 yards against Colorado and has completed 55.9 percent of his passes with three TDs and no interceptions on the year.
>> Dylan Wright and Daniel Jackson have combined for 20 receptions and 296 receiving yards.
BOWLING GREEN FALCONS (1-2)
>> After coming oh-so-close to a win against South Alabama in Week Two, the Falcons broke through with a 27-10 victory at home last Saturday.
>> Bowling Green held total possession of the ball for 21:35 in the second half against Murray State, including for 12:09 in a decisive third quarter.
>> Murray State scored all 10 of its points in the second quarter, and the game was tied at 10-all after two periods. Matt McDonald's one-yard TD run in 9:25 of the third stanza put the Falcons ahead for good.
>> Bowling Green owned a 339-201 advantage in total offense.
>> QB Matt McDonald is No. 14 in the nation and No. 2 in the MAC in completion percentage. He also ranks No. 1 in the MAC in completions per game, passing yards and passing yards per game. McDonald is No. 3 3 in the MAC in total offense.
>> WR Austin Osborne is No. 1 in the MAC and No. 16 in the nation with 7.0 receptions per game. The Washington transfer entered the season with one career reception and currently leads BGSU with 21 this season.
>> LB Darren Anders is one of two players in the nation this season with 25+ tackles (29), one interception, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble and one sack. Utah’s Devin Lloyd is the other player. Anders currently ranks No. 17 in the nation and No. 2 in the MAC with 9.7 tackles per game.
>> Safety Davon Ferguson is the only player in the nation that is averaging 7.0+ tackles per game (8.3), has at least 2.0+ tackles for loss (3.5) and has defended at least four passes (4).
>> Bowling Green is No. 1 in the nation with two blocked punts. The Falcons have one in each of their last two games, both played at Doyt Perry Stadium.