Saturday, Oct. 8 – 2 p.m. ET
Peden Stadium -- Athens, OH
ESPN-3
Bowling Green leads the series 40-25.2 and blew Ohio out last November on the way to a Falcons MAC Championship title.
BGSU is 21-1 against East Division foes since the beginning of 2012 and has won 17 in a row over that group. The Falcons, however, were hit hard by personnel and coaching turnover following their 2016 run. They picked up just one win in conference play and were knocked off at home by Eastern Michigan, 28-25, last Saturday.
Entering 2016 play, Ohio . . .
Peden Stadium -- Athens, OH
ESPN-3
Bowling Green leads the series 40-25.2 and blew Ohio out last November on the way to a Falcons MAC Championship title.
BGSU is 21-1 against East Division foes since the beginning of 2012 and has won 17 in a row over that group. The Falcons, however, were hit hard by personnel and coaching turnover following their 2016 run. They picked up just one win in conference play and were knocked off at home by Eastern Michigan, 28-25, last Saturday.
Entering 2016 play, Ohio . . .
. . . was considered one of the top contenders for the East title After gong 2-2 in non-conference play, the Bobcats began MAC action with a hard-fought 17-7 win at Miami over the weekend.
Here’s more on both teams. All rankings are MAC unless otherwise noted.
Here’s more on both teams. All rankings are MAC unless otherwise noted.
OHIO BOBCATS (3-2, 1-0 MAC)
► It is homecoming weekend in Athens.
► Speaking of home, Ohio’s coaching staff really seems to have one. Ohio is the only program in the NCAA to have had the same head coach, offensive and defensive coordinator over the last 12 years.
► Ohio’s two non-conference losses were in an opening 56-54 three-overtime loss against Texas State and 28-19 loss at Tennessee. The ‘Cats defeated Kansas and Gardner Webb.
► Offense had been a strength for Ohio, but Miami’s defense put in a strong effort, holding the Bobcats to 199 total yards and one offensive TD. Ohio will still enter Week Six action averaging 431 yards of total offense (8th) and 32.8 ppg (sixth).
► Ohio is tied for the top spot in interceptions (6).
► The Bobcats easily have the most field goal attempts (17) and FG conversions (14) among MAC teams. They did have a try blocked last week against Miami.
► Ohio leads the way with 21 sacks, four more than each of the next two teams.
► The ‘Cats (+7) are second behind only Western Michigan (+9) in turnover margin.
► Place Kicker Louis Zervos leads the naton, averaging 3.25 field goals per game. Zervos also ranks first in the MAC in scoring, field goal percentage and field goals made per game.
► RS FR Punter Michael Farkas was named MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week.
► Greg Windham is slated to start again at quarterback. Papi White may be back at running back after Maleek Irons handled the load Saturday.
► Windham leads Ohio rushing with 309 net yards on 62 attempts with two TDs. He has completed 91 of 170 pass attempts (53.5%) with seven touchdowns and two interceptions.
► Jordan Reid leads OU in receptions (20 for 229 yards and three TDs, while Sebastian Smith leads in yards – 309 yards and two scores on 19 catches.
► It is homecoming weekend in Athens.
► Speaking of home, Ohio’s coaching staff really seems to have one. Ohio is the only program in the NCAA to have had the same head coach, offensive and defensive coordinator over the last 12 years.
► Ohio’s two non-conference losses were in an opening 56-54 three-overtime loss against Texas State and 28-19 loss at Tennessee. The ‘Cats defeated Kansas and Gardner Webb.
► Offense had been a strength for Ohio, but Miami’s defense put in a strong effort, holding the Bobcats to 199 total yards and one offensive TD. Ohio will still enter Week Six action averaging 431 yards of total offense (8th) and 32.8 ppg (sixth).
► Ohio is tied for the top spot in interceptions (6).
► The Bobcats easily have the most field goal attempts (17) and FG conversions (14) among MAC teams. They did have a try blocked last week against Miami.
► Ohio leads the way with 21 sacks, four more than each of the next two teams.
► The ‘Cats (+7) are second behind only Western Michigan (+9) in turnover margin.
► Place Kicker Louis Zervos leads the naton, averaging 3.25 field goals per game. Zervos also ranks first in the MAC in scoring, field goal percentage and field goals made per game.
► RS FR Punter Michael Farkas was named MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week.
► Greg Windham is slated to start again at quarterback. Papi White may be back at running back after Maleek Irons handled the load Saturday.
► Windham leads Ohio rushing with 309 net yards on 62 attempts with two TDs. He has completed 91 of 170 pass attempts (53.5%) with seven touchdowns and two interceptions.
► Jordan Reid leads OU in receptions (20 for 229 yards and three TDs, while Sebastian Smith leads in yards – 309 yards and two scores on 19 catches.
BOWLING GREEN FALCONS (1-4, 0-1 MAC)
► Bowling Green is 11th of 12 teams in scoring offense (17.2 ppg) and last in scoring defense (49.8 ppg).
► Ronnie Moore has caught at least one pass in 36 straight games, the eighth longest streak in the nation. He ranks nineth in program history with 2,336 career receiving yards.
► Fred Coppet has climbed to ninth in BGSU career rushing yards (2,188). He rushed 25 times for 141 yards against Eastern Michigan. That was his sixth career 100-yard game and was two yards shy of his career-best outing.
► Bowling Green was the only team in the country to win six road games in 2015. The Falcons won seven times away from Doyt Perry Stadium if the MAC Championship game is included.
► Even with new coach Mike Jinks, BG is still going “Falcon Fast.” The team is averaging 81.2 plays per game, which ranks 13th nationally.It is one of only seven teams with an average of less than 20 seconds (19:51) between offensive plays. (Oregon, Northwestern and Washington State are actually below 18 seconds).
► Redshirt senior linebacker Trenton Greene recorded 10 tackles last week against Eastern Michigan and had a career high of 16 earlier this year against Ohio State. He is 10th nationally with an average of 10.8 stops per game.
► It’s not like the Falcons have forsaken the pass, but a variety of factors have brought the vaunted passing attack down to earth a bit. BG was one of the nation’s leaders in 2016. It ranks ninth among MAC teams in passing this year, producing 216.8 ypg.
► Bowling Green is 11th of 12 teams in scoring offense (17.2 ppg) and last in scoring defense (49.8 ppg).
► Ronnie Moore has caught at least one pass in 36 straight games, the eighth longest streak in the nation. He ranks nineth in program history with 2,336 career receiving yards.
► Fred Coppet has climbed to ninth in BGSU career rushing yards (2,188). He rushed 25 times for 141 yards against Eastern Michigan. That was his sixth career 100-yard game and was two yards shy of his career-best outing.
► Bowling Green was the only team in the country to win six road games in 2015. The Falcons won seven times away from Doyt Perry Stadium if the MAC Championship game is included.
► Even with new coach Mike Jinks, BG is still going “Falcon Fast.” The team is averaging 81.2 plays per game, which ranks 13th nationally.It is one of only seven teams with an average of less than 20 seconds (19:51) between offensive plays. (Oregon, Northwestern and Washington State are actually below 18 seconds).
► Redshirt senior linebacker Trenton Greene recorded 10 tackles last week against Eastern Michigan and had a career high of 16 earlier this year against Ohio State. He is 10th nationally with an average of 10.8 stops per game.
► It’s not like the Falcons have forsaken the pass, but a variety of factors have brought the vaunted passing attack down to earth a bit. BG was one of the nation’s leaders in 2016. It ranks ninth among MAC teams in passing this year, producing 216.8 ypg.
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