Running game is bright spot for Bowling Green

11/1/2006

BOWLING GREEN - As Bowling Green State University moved into first place in the conference in rushing over the weekend, some might wonder how the Falcons are under .500.

Coach Gregg Brandon said yesterday without the surprising run game, it might be much worse.

"I'd hate to be in a position where I can't run the ball right now, and I'm trying to throw the ball with inconsistent quarterbacks," Brandon said. "We may not have won a game right now if that's the case."

The Falcons, led by redshirt freshman Chris Bullock, are averaging 193 yards per game on the ground. Bullock's 182 rushing yards against Temple was the highest single-game total by any MAC player this year other than early Heisman contender Garrett Wolfe of Northern Illinois.

The high total might have been overlooked because of his costly goal-line fumble in the second quarter. Bullock leaped and a Temple player's helmet knocked the ball loose. The turnover led to a Temple score.

"I saw the goal line and thought I could just dive," Bullock said. "I guess it was a freshman mistake."

"It was tough," Brandon said. "He shouldn't have left his feet; he should have just hogged it. But the kid's trying to make a play."

The Temple loss was one of the most embarrassing defeats in some time for the Falcons (4-5, 3-2 MAC). But by yesterday Bullock said the team had started to focus on the present.

"On Sunday, after watching the film, we weren't feeling too good," Bullock said. "But we'll be able to move on."

Averaging 85 yards over eight games, Bullock is the third leading rusher in the MAC behind Wolfe and Western Michigan's Mark Bonds. But even that figure is misleading, because he has only been the back with the majority of the carries for six games. Bullock has gone over 100 yards twice and broken 90 three other times.

"It feels good that a lot of my teammates have confidence in me," Bullock said.

Bullock got hit in the ribs Saturday and will have to wear a flak jacket this weekend against Akron (1-3, 3-5).

ONE QB OR TWO? Brandon might choose a starting quarterback, between Tyler Sheehan and Anthony Turner, for Saturday - or might not. "I think we'll get them both ready. Shoot, I may even play two quarterbacks," Brandon said. "If one gets a hot hand, I'll stay with him."

EXTRA POINTS: Brandon turned two plays from Saturday into the league office for review: the punt Temple blocked in the first quarter, and the personal foul penalty earlier in the drive on Temple defender Evan Cooper. Brandon said Cooper made a "cheap shot" on guard John Lanning, causing a concussion, and he should have been ejected. Lanning did not leave the game until after the blocked punt, where the Owls' Junior Galette stepped on Lanning's knee and chest to boost himself to block the punt. "It was an illegal play," Brandon said. "[And] Lanning was out of it." ... Defensive tackle Brad Williams practiced on Sunday.

HOLTZ TO SPEAK: Former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz will be the featured speaker at a luncheon Wednesday, Nov. 15, the day of the Miami-BGSU game. The luncheon, to raise money for the Sebo Athletic Center, is at Perry Field House and tickets are $60. For more info call 419-372-7100.

Contact Maureen Fulton at:

mfulton@theblade.com

or 419-724-6160.