Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Bowling Green
Falcons Fly Past Chippewas, 45-35
10/12/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 12, 2002
MOUNT PLEASANT - Two blocked punts led to 10 Bowling Green State University points en route to a 45-35 Mid-American Conference victory over Central Michigan University.
The win improves the Falcons' record to 5-0 for the season, 2-0 in MAC action. The Chippewas fall to 3-3, 1-1 in MAC play.
BGSU raced out to a 31-7 lead early in the second half but CMU found its offense and outscored the Falcons the rest of the way, 28-14.
With the scored tied at 7-7, the Falcons blocked CMU's punt attempt (by B.J. Lane) on the final play of the period and recovered it in the end zone (by Marcus Allen) for a TD. BG added two more scores in the second half for a 28-7 edge at the break.
Bowling Green then blocked the Chippewas' first punt in the second half, leading to a field goal and a 31-7 lead.
"The blocked punts just killed us," said CMU head coach Mike DeBord. "I've said all along that this team has a great attitude, and never hangs its head. When we were down 31-7, we just kept fighting, and that is attributed to our senior leadership." BG coach Urban Meyer concurred about the blocked punts.
"I thought that the blocked punts were what won the game for us," he said. "They changed the momentum at critical points in the game." Game Notes
*CMU outgained the Falcons, 302-130, in the second half and outscored the visitors, 28-17, in the final two periods.
*CMU's Robbie Mixon carried 14 times for 132 yards and one TD; it was his fourth time over 100 yards this season; he also caught six passes for 55 yards and another score.
*BG QB Josh Harris lived up to his billing, accounting for 314 yards; he rushed for 138 yards and three TDs on 22 carries; he also passed for 176 yards and a TD on 18-of-33.
*CMU QB Derrick Vickers had 282 yards in total offense, rushing for 50 yards on 15 carries for two TDs and completing 27-of-46 passes for 232 yards and another score.
*The Chippewas haven't scored 35 points in a game and lost since a 60-37 setback at Kent State in 1997.
*The 10-point win was BG's closest of the season - the previous was 23 points in a 39-16 win over Kansas.
*The homecoming crowd of 24,127 was CMU's largest home attendance of the season.
*CMU will play next at Northern Illinois on Saturday, October 19.
