Falcons team up, trounce Temple

Temple kick returner Brian Allbrooks is smothered by Falcons defenders, from left to right, Pete Winovich, Kenny Lewis, Jelani Jordan, and Edwin Hood in the first quarter.

BGSU cornerback Jelani Jordan steals a pass intended for Temple receiver Bruce Gordon, one of two interceptions for him against the Owls. The Falcon defense picked off three passes and recovered two fumbles.

BOWLING GREEN - Last week, Bowling Green State University's offense, defense and special teams were all about breakdowns.

This week, they were all about touchdowns.

The Falcons stampeded to a 70-7 victory over Temple yesterday at Perry Stadium. The offense was nearly perfect with eight touchdowns, and the Falcons' defense and special teams also scored points in front of a homecoming and home-opener crowd of 19,462 fans.

The Falcons (2-2) have won 19 consecutive regular-season home games dating back to the 2001 season.

"It's nice to see a sea of orange, not at Boise State but out here," BGSU coach Gregg Brandon said.

After the 28-point loss to Boise State on Sept. 21, Falcon coaches took players' names off the back of their jerseys.

"We decided that we were playing for the bird on the side of the helmet, we're not playing for anyone's name on the back," Brandon said.

In response, the Falcons won with strong play by every unit.

Temple kick returner Brian Allbrooks is smothered by Falcons defenders, from left to right, Pete Winovich, Kenny Lewis, Jelani Jordan, and Edwin Hood in the first quarter.

Quarterback Omar Jacobs returned to "vintage Omar," Brandon said, completing 26 of 30 passes for 326 yards and four touchdowns in 2 1/2 quarters of work. It was the 11th time in his career he has thrown for four or more touchdown passes.

BGSU punted just twice. The defense had three interceptions, including two by senior cornerback Jelani Jordan, and recovered two fumbles. All of the turnovers led to touchdowns.

"Our offense didn't help our defense at all," Temple coach Bobby Wallace said.

On offense, the scores came from most of the Falcons' usual suspects. Receiver Steve Sanders caught two touchdowns and rushed for another on a reverse.

Charles Sharon caught a score, and running back P.J. Pope rushed for one and caught another. Senior B.J. Lane had his second rushing touchdown of the season.

"The offense was clicking, and when the offense is clicking we can't be stopped," Jacobs said.

The Falcons had a 42-7 lead at halftime. The offense hit the end zone for the final time with 4:59 in the third quarter when redshirt freshman Anthony Turner, in at quarterback the second half, ran in from two yards out to put the Falcons up by 49. But the scoring was not done.

Late in the third quarter, freshman cornerback Antonio Smith seized a Mike McGann pass and took it 53 yards for a touchdown, his second pick and touchdown this season.

Early in the fourth, the next time it was the Falcons' turn for the ball, the Owls punted to redshirt freshman Corey Partridge. Partridge returned the ball 79 yards for a score.

Also, senior Nate Fry made all 10 extra points.

"That's nice that those phases stepped up," Brandon said.

The Falcons defense gave up just one score after giving up at least five in each of their first three games. The Owls' 263 yards of total offense was the lowest total the Falcons have allowed this season by more than 100 yards.

Granted, Temple is 0-5 and had given up 60-plus points in two of its earlier games. But the Falcons needed confidence going into their conference season and they got it with the victory.

"For a minute, everybody was down because we didn't play a great game at Boise, but it just goes to show you we can bounce back," Sanders said.

Temple's score was in the second quarter on senior Umar Ferguson's one-yard run. Ferguson ran for 132 yards.

Sanders led BG in receiving yards with 108 yards on five catches. Turner led the Falcons in rushing with 32 yards and a touchdown.

The Falcons will play host to Ohio at 6 p.m. Saturday to start the main portion of their Mid-American Conference schedule.

Contact Maureen Fulton at: mfulton@theblade.com or 419-724-6160.