MAC Football Scoreboard: Wednesday, November 4
Bowling Green 62, Ohio 24 Final
Box Score
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (AP) — Bowling Green scored at least two touchdowns in every quarter, running past visiting Ohio by a 62-24 final on Wednesday night in MAC play at Doyt Perry Stadium. With the victory, the Falcons have now won 17 consecutive games against MAC East Division foes, and BG has moved closer to clinching a third consecutive division championship.
The Falcons' offensive juggernaut continued as Bowling Green racked up over 60 points for the second time in 2015. It is the first time they have accomplished that in 12 years. This is also the first time the Falcons have ever scored 59 or more points three times in one season.
Bowling Green amassed 581 yards of total offense in just 69 plays, averaging 8.4 yards per play. They were successful both through the air and on the ground. Matt Johnson passed for 365 yards and helped two receivers surpass the century mark, while Travis Greene ran for over 100 and moved within 174 yards of the Falcons' all-time career rushing record.
Bowling Green was forced to punt after just five plays, and Ohio took the ball and drove into BGSU territory. The Falcons' defense stiffened, however, and when the Bobcats attempted a run on 4th-and-1 from the Bowling Green 31, the Brown and Orange held firm.
That play appeared to ignite the Falcons, whose offense followed with touchdowns on four consecutive series. Greene had scoring runs of 11 and 10 yards on the first two drives. Ohio's offense responded to each run with scores of their own, which occurred on runs by A.J. Ouellette and Daz Patterson.
The Falcons took control of the game, however, following the Patterson score. On 3rd-and-15 from the Ohio 48, Johnson scrambled away from pressure and found Ronnie Moore in the middle of the field. Moore outran the Bobcat defense across the field and down the right sideline to give the home team the lead for good.
Bowling Green's defense forced an Ohio three-and-out following the go-ahead score. Mitch Bonnstetter's punt was partially blocked by Scott Miller and went just 13 yards, setting the Falcons up at the Ohio 43. Four plays later, Johnson lobbed a fade pass to Gehrig Dieter in the left corner of the end zone for another score and a 27-14 lead.
Bowling Green took their two-touchdown lead into halftime, and following an Ohio punt at the beginning of the second half, they put the game away. On their third play of the half, Johnson found Dieter again. This time, it was on a deep ball down the left sideline. Dieter had to fight with a defender and bobbled the ball, but he secured it and raced for a 75-yard touchdown. Wednesday marked the first two-touchdown game of Dieter's career.
On their next series, Ohio drove the ball deep into Bowling Green territory, but on 1st-and-10 from the 24, J.D. Sprague was intercepted by Dernard Turner. Turner galloped 85 yards for Bowling Green's first pick-six in three years, and the Falcons led 41-14.
The Falcons added three more scores before the game was complete. Roger Lewis caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from Johnson, while Greene added a third score on a 43-yard run. Teo Redding completed the onslaught with a seven-yard pass from James Knapke in the fourth quarter. Ohio posted a field goal and a 44-yard touchdown run by Maleek Irons to finish the scoring.
Bowling Green earned 399 passing and 182 rushing yards, as well as 29 first downs, despite controlling the ball for just 22:54. The Falcons were 8-for-12 on third down and scored on all five of their red zone trips.
Johnson finished 26-for-35 with 365 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. Knapke completed three of his four passes and added a scoring toss. Greene rushed for 106 yards and now has 3,249 for his career. That moves him into second place on Bowling Green's all-time list. Fred Coppet added 73 yards on 12 carries.
Ten different receivers caught at least one pass for the Falcons. The group was led by Dieter, who hauled in nine passes for 136 yards and two scores. Lewis caught six balls for 102 yards and a touchdown, while Moore posted 83 yards and another score.
Bowling Green's defense sacked Ohio's quarterbacks three times and had two interceptions, by Turner and Brandon Harris.
The Falcons are now just one win away from clinching the MAC East Division championship and a third straight trip to the MAC Championship game. BG closes the regular season with three-straight games against MAC West Division opposition, beginning next Wednesday night (Nov. 11) at Western Michigan. The Falcons and Broncos will meet in an 8:00 p.m. start at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo next Wednesday.
Postgame Notes
Bowling Green improves to 7-2 overall and 5-0 in the MAC. It is the Falcons' best nine-game start since 2004 and the best MAC start since 2003.
The win over Ohio marked the Falcons 17th straight victory over foes from the MAC East. For the third straight season, BGSU finished undefeated against the East Division, going 5-0 in 2015.
Matt Johnson passed for 365 yards and four scores in Wednesday's game. He now has a 33-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio on the season.
Johnson's 365 yards marked his ninth 300-yard game in a row to begin the 2015 season and his 10th consecutive overall. He ties the school record for nine 300-yard games in a season and 12 in a career.
Roger Lewis had 102 yards receiving, marking the fifth straight game he has gone over 100 yards on the season. He has seven total 100-yard games in 2015.
Dernard Turner's pick-6 of 85 yards marked the third-longest in school history and was the first pick-6 since 2012.
Bowling Green's 62 points marked the fourth consecutive game scoring over 48 points and the sixth time they have done so this season. It was the second time in the last four weeks they have scored 62 points in a game.
Bowling Green went over 500 yards of total offense for the ninth time this season and the 10th consecutive game.
The win over Ohio marked the 2015 senior class' 33rd win in their career, the fourth-most successful stretch in school history.
Gehrig Dieter led the Falcons with nine catches for 136 yards on Wednesday. His two touchdowns were a career high.
Travis Greene went over 100 yards rushing for the third time this season and the 17th time in his career.
