The End Zone: Bowling Green

Bowling Green beat writer Donald Emmons

Count on Bowling Green State University to finally halt its losing streak Saturday at Kent State.

The string of defeats will end at four for the Falcons and first-year coach Dave Clawson.

To think otherwise would probably mean a long-suffering season for a team that came into the year more optimistic than the preseason predictions from Mid-American Conference coaches.

The Falcons were picked to finish fifth in the MAC East Division.

BG's 1-4 overall record includes three defeats by seven points. That is an indicator the Falcons are not as bad as their record suggests after playing through a quarter of the season. (Disregard the 35-point loss to highly ranked Boise State. Only a handful of teams in the country are currently playing at the Broncos' level.)

The Falcons will claim their first conference win of the season because the roster is not without talent and experience and, basically, they're simply due for win No. 2. Some might say they're overdue.

BG quarterback Tyler Sheehan is coming off a career-day passing performance in the loss to Ohio (390 passing yards). But sure-handed, wideout Freddie Barnes wasn't so sure-handed and dropped two potential touchdown passes. Barnes, who leads the nation with 53 catches, is also due to come down with a clutch catch.

So, why not against Kent?