Barnes enters record book

BGSU's Freddie Barnes makes a catch against Central Michigan. He caught 14 and has 241 in his career.

BOWLING GREEN - The nation's leading receiver became Bowling Green State University's all-time career receptions leader yesterday at Doyt Perry Stadium.

Freddie Barnes snared 14 passes against Central Michigan to give him a school-record 241 career receptions, surpassing the former record of 232 by Charles Sharon (2002-05).

The Falcons senior has caught 99 passes this season, tying the Falcons' single-season receptions record set in 2003 by Cole Magner, who did his work over 14 games. With four regular-season games remaining, Barnes appears in position to shatter the six-year old mark.

But individual records weren't on Barnes' mind after the Falcons fell 24-10 in a game where BG's offense struggled to produce points. BG was 1-for-5 scoring in the red zone.

"After the game is over it's very frustrating because those were missed opportunities that could have changed the game for us, point-wise, momentum-wise," said Barnes of the Falcons' offensive struggles, which included two turnovers in the red zone. "It would have given the defense a little more confidence when they went on to the field, and it would have brought their offense out and would have put a little more pressure on them."

Barnes accounted for 172 receiving yards, including a 24-yard touchdown reception, to give him 1,054 receiving yards this season.

TV TIMEOUT: Technical troubles resulted in an unexpected television blackout for many viewers of the game, which was broadcast on ABC and ESPN affiliates.

Viewers missed seeing most of the first half before the problem was corrected.

NORSIC KICKS: BG senior kicker Matt Norsic was listed on the depth chart as the backup to redshirt freshman Jerry Phillips.

However, the senior walk-on, who saw his first action at Kent State two weeks ago, was called on to handle the place-kicking duties. He missed a 26-yarder in the first quarter before nailing a 40-yarder with only six seconds left in the first half.

Phillips, a two-time MAC East Division special teams player of the week this season, did handle the kickoffs.

However, it was a coach's decision that led to Norsic handling the place-kicking duties.

"This week in practice, Matt was clearly kicking more consistently and better than Jerry the whole week," coach Dave Clawson said. "The plan was to go with Jerry, and then Tuesday I thought Matt out-kicked him. Wednesday he out-kicked. Thursday he out-kicked him.

"If you're promoting competition in your program, you can't have a guy out-kick somebody every day and not give him an opportunity."

LACROSSE REUNION: About 50 former BG lacrosse players attended the game as part of a reunion. The BG men's lacrosse team, which was considered among the top programs in the country, was eliminated from the athletic department in 1980 as a result of Title IX.

EAST DOMINANCE: The Chippewas have ruled their MAC East Division opponents in recent years. The win represented the Chippewas' 17th straight over an East opponent.

It was also the Chippewas' seventh straight win this season since opening with a loss at Arizona. Only five other teams in the nation entered yesterday's action with longer win streaks.

SERIES: The Falcons still lead the series with the Chippewas 21-18 and have prevailed in eight of the last 10 meetings at Perry Stadium.

SATURDAY FINALE: The meeting with CMU officially put an end to the Falcons playing weekend games this season.

BG's final four games are scheduled on weekdays, beginning with a Tuesday (Nov. 3) date at Buffalo. The Falcons follow that game with a Thursday (Nov. 12) contest at Miami and back-to-back Friday home games playing host to Akron (Nov. 20) and Toledo (Nov. 27).