BGSU tops Buffalo 21-7

11/23/2012
BLADE STAFF
Bowling Green State University WR Shaun Joplin (9) makes a catch for a touchdown against Buffalo CB Najja Johnson (22) during the second quarter at Columbus Crew Stadium Columbus.
Bowling Green State University WR Shaun Joplin (9) makes a catch for a touchdown against Buffalo CB Najja Johnson (22) during the second quarter at Columbus Crew Stadium Columbus.

COLUMBUS --The Bowling Green State University football team claimed a 21-7 victory over Buffalo at Crew Stadium today.

The Falcons, who improved to 8-4 overall and 6-2 in the Mid-American Conference, were led by John Pettigrew's 93 yards and one touchdown on 29 carries. Matt Schilz completed 18-of-30 passes for 228 yards and one TD, a 48-yard strike to Shaun Joplin.

Buffalo (4-8, 3-5 MAC) scored in the fourth quarter on a 4-yard run by Alex Dennison with 9:59 left in the final quarter. The Bulls finished with just 197 yards of total offense, including just 29 yards rushing.

THIRD QUARTER

BG lead Buffalo 21-0 after three quarters at Crew Stadium today.

The Falcons got a third-quarter touchdown when Matt Schilz scored on a 7-yard run with 4:14 left in the period.

Bowling Green scored twice in the second quarter, on a 1-yard TD run by John Pettigrew and a 48-yard touchdown strike by Schilz to Shaun Joplin with 1:56 left in the half.

Through three quarters the Bulls have just 69 yards of total offense against the Falcons defense, including just 21 yards rushing.

HALFTIME

BGSU leads Buffalo 14-0 at halftime at Crew Stadium today.

The Falcons first touchdown came on a 1-yard fourth-down run by John Pettigrew with 5:26 left in the second quarter, capping a 12-play, 62-yard drive. Shaun Joplin then caught a 48-yard touchdown strike from Matt Schilz with 1:56 left in the half.

The BGSU defense has limited the Bulls to just 53 yards of total offense on 24 plays, including just 22 yards passing.

FIRST QUARTER

BGSU was involved in a scoreless tie after the first quarter of its game against Buffalo at Crew Stadium.

Defenses dominated the first period, although the Falcons did have 74 yards passing -- to offset minus-2 yards rushing. The Bulls had just 24 yards of total offense in the first quarter, including just seven yards passing.