This is from Joe Powers...big UT Fan
Bowling Green Preview
contributed by Joe Power 11/26/2003
84 years of tradition and good, old-fashioned hatred would be enough to make this a must-see game for any football fan. This year, however, there is an added bonus in that it is for all of the marbles in the West. The winner of the game will host the Miami Redhawks in the MAC Championship game. The contest will be nationally televised, adding even more drama.
The Rockets and Falcons have met 67 times in the past 84 years (the Falcons ducked the Rockets for a few years along the way, not that anyone can blame them), with BG leading the series 35-28-4. UT has won 6 of the last 8 meetings, including last year?s 42-24 thumping at the Glass Bowl. Those numbers and records go right out the door, as do the stats and records for the current year, when these two teams square off. Hatred for each other is one of the first things players for these two teams learn upon joining their respective teams. This is far and away the biggest and best rivalry in the conference.
BG is looking for their first divisional MAC title, and a bowl bid after a very long drought. The Rockets are looking to keep their title and another in a string of bowls, as well as their third win of the season over a team ranked in the Top 25.
Here is a look at how these two teams match up:
Quarterback:
Bowling Green?s Josh Harris has a quarterback rating of 142.3, which is 26th in the nation, and 5th in the MAC among current starters. He has completed 64.0% of his passes for 2911 yards, with 19 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He has rushed for 604 yards and averages 3.8 yards per carry. He is big, strong and knows how to win. Harris is one of the main reasons for the recent success that the Falcons have enjoyed.
Toledo?s Bruce Gradkowski?s quarterback rating is 161.7, which puts him in 8th place nationally, and number one in the MAC. His 72.1% completion rate makes him the most accurate passer in the country. He has thrown for 3026 yards and 26 touchdowns, with only 6 interceptions. In addition, he has rushed for 431 yards, and averages 5.7 yards per carry. This is the MAC?s next star QB.
Edge: Neither team. Gradkowki is the more skilled quarterback, but Harris has more experience. Both are huge playmakers, and this game may likely hinge on their individual performances.
Wide Receiver:
Cole Magner is the Falcon?s leading receiver. His 78 receptions for 957 yards are good enough to put him at number 8 nationally. He has 8 touchdowns and averages 12.3 yards per catch. He is a big time player who always seems to be where he needs to be. Magner is not Harris? only weapon, however. He also spreads the ball around to Charles Sharon and James Hawkins. Together they have over 1,000 yards and 9 touchdowns. All three are threats for yards after the catch. This is a very solid receiving corp.
The Rocket?s leading receiver, Lance Moore, has been the most prolific pass catcher in all of college football for most of the year. He currently leads the nation with 96 grabs for 1081 yards, and 7 touchdowns. He has already rewritten Toledo?s single season records set last year by current Green Bay Packer, Carl Ford. Toledo?s number two receiver is freshman Steve Odom, whose 59 catches puts him at 54th in the nation. He has 801 yards and 6 touchdowns. Moore and Odom are backed up by a very talented and deep stable of young receivers who are waiting for their turn to shine. Factor in the UT?s dynamic duo at tight end, Andrew Clarke and Chris Holmes, and Bruce Gradkowski has his choice of targets.
Edge: Toledo
Running Back
When you talk about BG?s running game, you have to include Josh Harris as a running back. He effectively functions as one in their version of the spread offense. His yards per carry are low, but he is always dangerous when the ball is in his hand. He is the Falcon?s second leading rusher with 604 yards and 11 touchdowns. The leading rusher on the team, PJ Pope, has 948 yards on the season, with 5.7 yards per carry. Being big on calling each other by their initials at BG, PJ is backed up by BJ Lane, with a very respectable 6.9 yards per carry.
Toledo?s running game this season has been spread out between three players, as predicted, however, it has not been the expected ?Baby Backs? from last season. Trinity Dawson leads the Rockets with 924 yards and 11 touchdowns. He is averaging 5.1 yards per carry, and seems to be getting even stronger as the season progresses. His much-vaunted quickness and cutting ability are being augmented by his newfound ability to drag tacklers for a few more yards. He is the workhorse of the Rocket?s running game. Next on the list is QB Bruce Gradkowski with 431 yards and 5.7 yards per carry. Finishing off the list in Astin Martin, whose speed makes him a threat to break one at any time. He has 395 yards and 10 touchdowns. The third ?Baby Back?, Quinton Broussard has not seen much playing time this season.
Edge: Bowling Green
The rest of the factors in this game appear to be very close. While Toledo has an edge on the offensive line, BG?s line is also very good. A look at the numbers shows that these teams are very closely matched on both sides of the ball.
Yards per game: Toledo 467.2 - BG 506
Points per game: Toledo 33.3 - BG 34.9
Yards allowed: Toledo 378 - BG 314
Points allowed: Toledo 23.1 - BG 18.9
On special teams, Toledo has superb punting (43.6 yd avg) and kickoffs from Brandon Hannum, and excellent return men in Lance Moore and Steve Odom. They are no threat whatsoever on field goals, however, and rarely even attempt any.
BG is much better at field goals, but they are not automatic. Their kickoffs and punting is respectable, averaging 41.21 yards. The Falcons are average on returns, as well.
This game will be decided by three major factors. The first factor being the play of the defenses. Both teams have extremely high-powered offenses that are going to put points on the board. The defenses are going to have to be able to make stops at critical points in the game and try to disrupt the timing of their opponent?s spread offense. Each time the defense forces a punt, or even holds the other team to a field goal, it will give their offense a chance to gain or stretch the lead.
The second factor is based on the first in many ways. The quarterbacks will have to take this game on their shoulders and keep their teams moving down the field. While both teams have great quick strike ability, long drives to wear down the opposing defense will be imperative. Good decision making and not turning over the ball is also key.
Last, will be the play of the special teams. Field position will be critical if the defenses both come to play. Either of these teams is more than capable of leading a scoring drive out of their own end zone, but a short field could be essential to the winner of this game, as it has been many times in past meetings.
Fearless Prediction: This game will be a war. Besides the usual bad blood, this game, for the first time in its storied history, will decide who the champion is. Both teams want it badly, and both feel that they have earned it, and that it belongs to them.
Toledo 35 - Bowling Green 31
The game will be broadcast at noon on Saturday Nov. 29 on ESPN, and can be heard on the radio at WSPD 1370 on your AM dial.
GO ROCKETS!!!
