BG rolls past Bowsher
Dennis tosses 3 TDs, runs for another for Bobcats
9/8/2012
Marlino Menchaca of Bowsher runs the ball during the first quarter against Bowling Green.
THE BLADE/ZACK CONKLE
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Marlino Menchaca of Bowsher runs the ball during the first quarter against Bowling Green.
BOWLING GREEN -- Lightning filled the sky as the Bowling Green football team surrounded its victory bell and rang it in celebration of a home win Friday night despite the stadium being completely empty.
The delayed festivities came 15 minutes after officials had suspended the game and then ruled that the Bobcats' 28-6 victory over Bowsher was official.
Bowling Green (2-1) forced four fumbles and rolled in the second half behind senior quarterback Andrew Dennis, who accounted for all four touchdowns.
Dennis threw touchdown passes of 15, 14, and 35 yards. He also scored on a one-yard run.
"It was fun. It was a team effort," Dennis said. "It all started with the line. They did what they had to do and I just made plays behind them."
PHOTO GALLERY: Bowsher vs. Bowling Green
With BG up just 14-6 early in the fourth quarter, Dennis hit a wide open Quinn Donaldson over the middle on a 14-yard TD strike for a 21-6 lead. On the first play of the next possession, Dennis connected with Ryan Emans on a 35-yard touchdown just moments before the lightning delay.
The Bobcats, which have won two straight, recovered their fourth fumble of the night to set up the score that gave them a 15-point lead.
"Both the offense and defense came together tonight and it was a good win for us," BG coach Steve Aungst said. "We knew we needed to stop the run. They have tough running backs. We want to get 11 hats to the football and have that relentless pursuit."
Bowling Green had 251 yards of offense and Bowsher (1-2) finished with 216.
Bowling Green's Andrew Dennis threw for 146 yards and three touchdowns. He also reached the end zone on a one-yard run.
Bowsher senior running back Tyshawn Rodgers rushed for 98 yards in the first half but was held to just six yards in the second half.
BG's Thomas Foos, an offensive and defensive lineman, said a season-opening 34-12 loss to Rossford provided "ambition to get after it." BG shutout Fostoria 31-0 last Friday.
"We got down to business," Foos said. "We went all out tonight. We had to stop the run. It was a great feeling."
Dennis completed 10 of 16 passes for 146 yards. The Bobcats had 105 rushing yards
"We have the confidence that we can do both, 50-50, run or pass," Aungst said. "Andrew Dennis has done a great job."
Donaldson had 95 yards of offense. He caught five passes, including a 14-yard TD.
BG senior running back Trey Loescher rushed for a team-high 55 yards. Emans, a sophomore wideout, finished with four catches for 64 yards and two scores.
Bowling Green led just 7-0 at the half, but scored on its first possession of the second half. Bowsher committed two penalties on the kickoff and the Bobcats' drive started at the Rebels' 28.
Five plays later, Dennis scored on a one-yard keeper for a 14-0 lead.
Bowsher got on the board thanks to a blocked punt by Jesse Orosco and Pheonix Reid. The Rebels took over at the BG 5 and scored three plays later. Bowsher junior Steven Johnson scored on a five-yard run.
With 3:56 to go, lightning was spotted and officials emptied the stadium, calling for a 30 minute delay. But with radar showing no signs of the storm letting up, the game officially ended.
BG took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when Dennis connected with Emans on a 15-yard TD strike.
Bowsher fumbled midway through the second quarter but the Rebels forced a second turnover on downs with a goal-line stand.
The Rebels then put together their longest drive, going from their own 1 to the BG 47. But time ran out in the second quarter.
Bowling Green opens the NLL next Friday at Maumee.
"After the first week we came back from adversity and everything turned out well for us," Dennis said. "It's time to do something in the league."
Contact Mark Monroe at: mmonroe@theblade.com, 419-724-6354, or on Twitter @MonroeBlade.