Both BG, UT will root for Broncos

Toledo s Steve Odom caught 10 passes for 146 yards, despite the defense of Antonio Smith and his fellow Falcons.

BOWLING GREEN - Both teams will be watching today's game between Western Michigan and Northern Illinois, and both teams will be rooting for the Broncos.

With the University of Toledo's victory last night, UT and Bowling Green State University need WMU to win, to advance to the Mid-American Conference Championship game on Dec. 1.

BGSU can also win the East Division if Kent State beats Akron tomorrow.

If Western Michigan wins, the teams will face off again. If Northern Illinois wins but Kent State wins, BGSU will play the Huskies for the title.

WMU has won seven of its past eight games, the only loss coming in a five-overtime game to Ball State.

"I think they're playing well enough that they could get that done," BGSU coach Gregg Brandon said.

The Rockets won't watch the game today, instead getting together for a Thanksgiving dinner.

"We're going to prepare as if we're going to face another game. We're going to prepare for that as a team," UT QB Bruce Gradkowski said.

The Falcons have a few days off for Thanksgiving, but senior receiver Charles Sharon said no one will miss today's game.

"I bet everybody will watch the game," Sharon said. "Everybody will."

Regardless of whether the Rockets make the MAC Championship game, UT coach Tom Amstutz said he thinks the Rockets will get a chance to play in another game.

"I'd love to play in a bowl game. I believe this team

deserves it," Amstutz said.

Brandon has plans for the next two days other than watching football.

"I'm preparing to eat some turkey. That's about all I'm

doing the next couple days.''

INSTANT CHANGES: Two rulings were overturned by instant replay in the second quarter, one for each team.

First, UT receiver Steve Odom's eight-yard reception at the UT 31, initially called incomplete, was ruled a

reception.

Then, BGSU receiver Ruben Ruiz was initially called for a fumble after a reception, but it was then ruled he did not have control of the ball.

SHARON MAKES MARK: Sharon went over 1,000 yards receiving for the year. He had 10 catches for 106 yards and a touchdown.

Sharon finished the regular season with 1,028 yards. Last year he had 1,070 yards.

"He's a tremendous football player, a great guy," Brandon said. "I think Chuck will get a shot at the next level."

SENIOR NIGHT: Nineteen seniors played their final home game at Perry Stadium last night, including 14 starters. Senior starters on offense were Rob Warren, Steve Sanders, Sharon, Jonathan Culp and P.J. Pope; on defense, Teddy Piepkow, Mike Thaler, Jelani Jordan, Terrill Mayberry, Monte Cooley and Tim Arnold, and on special teams, Nate Fry and Joe Timchenko.

"It's sad that their careers will be over, but they'll always be Falcons," Brandon said.

EXTRA POINTS: The Falcons' 89-yard opening drive was their longest scoring drive of the season. Senior offensive lineman Rob Warren was injured with 26 seconds left in the first half. Warren went straight to the locker room but returned to play in the second half. The Falcons' brown jerseys have been worn by nine of the Falcons' 10 MAC championship teams. It was the first time BGSU wore the jerseys since 1997. "It's just something we thought would be good for the rival game," Brandon said.