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BG coach says win is good for all in MAC
By Tom Gaffney
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Thursday, Sep 04, 2008
Bowling Green pulled one of the most notable upsets of college football's opening weekend by traveling to the University of Pittsburgh and defeating the 25th-ranked Panthers 27-17.
Coach Gregg Brandon wanted to share the moment with the other 12 Mid-American Conference members — and underdogs everywhere.
''Anytime you beat a BCS team on the road it's huge, not just for Bowling Green but for the league because that's not supposed to happen,'' Brandon said on the MAC's weekly teleconference for coaches. ''These teams are supposed to be bigger, faster and stronger than we are. For the most part, they are.
''For our guys to rise up in that venue, that speaks volumes for our kids.''
The Falcons also pulled an opening-game road upset over a BCS team in 2007, downing the Big Ten's Minnesota 32-31 in overtime.
Pitt, a member of the Big East Conference, entered the opener with a 25-2 record against MAC opponents, including a 24-0 mark at home.
The Panthers appeared ready to add a victory to that record when they outgained the Falcons 137-6 in the first quarter. The score was 14-0 early in the second quarter, when the Falcons' defense awoke.
Pitt could rush for only 15 yards in the second half, and tailback LeSean McCoy, who ran for 1,328 yards in 2007, was held to 71 yards on 23 carries.
''Our defense played a lot in the first quarter . . . they hung in there,'' Brandon said. ''The second half, we really dominated that football game. It was a great defensive effort after we settled in.''
Pitt finished with a decided edge in total yardage, 393-254, but committed four turnovers to one for the Falcons.
The final turnover, a fumble forced by cornerback Antonio Smith and returned 6 yards to the Pitt 11 by lineman Angelo Magnone in the fourth quarter, set up an 11-yard touchdown run by quarterback Tyler Sheehan for the clinching points.
''The kids saw what a turnover can create,'' Brandon said.
The Falcons have another chance to defeat a BCS team on Saturday night, playing host to Minnesota.
Other developments in the MAC, with an emphasis on skill players from area high schools:
Ohio — Frank Solich, who coached at Nebraska from 1998-2003 before taking over the Bobcats in 2005, is a football purist who wants to face Ohio State on Saturday with Garfield High graduate and Heisman Trophy candidate Chris Wells (foot injury) in the lineup. ''We hope he will be able to play. No one wants to see a guy get hurt and be out for a period of time . . . when he has such great ability. As far as our preparation, they have a lot of good running backs. We will be facing an excellent running back regardless of whether he plays or not.''
Western Michigan — Junior quarterback Tim Hiller (Orrville) threw for 3,021 yards last season and picked up right where he left off in the Broncos' 47-24 opening loss at Nebraska. The 6-foot-5, 228-pound Hiller completed 30-of-49 passes for 342 yards and two touchdowns.
Eastern Michigan — Redshirt freshman Corey Welch (Green) made his college debut Aug. 28 in the Eagles' 52-0 victory over Indiana State. Welch rushed five times for 65 yards and caught one pass for five yards. He also had two tackles on special teams.
Toledo — Junior quarterback Clint Cochran (Wadsworth) will not be playing for the Rockets this season in order to fulfill an intense academic workload. He is a student assistant, helping with quarterbacks. Cochran threw for 960 yards in 2006 and 408 yards in 2007, but had fallen behind returnees Aaron Opelt and D.J. Lenehan on the depth chart. He was Academic All-MAC in 2006.
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
Bowling Green pulled one of the most notable upsets of college football's opening weekend by traveling to the University of Pittsburgh and defeating the 25th-ranked Panthers 27-17.
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