Bowling Green
Falcons

The Falcons' running game has been almost non-existent, averaging only 60.1 yards per game.

Clawson said, as the team prepares for a must-win game at Miami on Nov. 12, that while the running game would not be forgotten, the Falcons would focus on what has been most successful -- the passing game. Bowling Green will continue to use the short passes into the flat, the shovel pass and the screen game as extensions of the running game.

Bowling Green's offense will be put to test by Miami.

"They are probably as multiple of a defense as we've faced in terms of different personnel groups, different alignments, different blitz packages ... They are a real challenge to get ready for," Clawson said about Miami's defense.

Meanwhile the Falcon defense will also be preparing for an aerial display, but are wary of Miami's rushing attack also.

"Earlier in the year they really wanted to be a running football team. The past couple of weeks, they are just winging it all over the place," Clawson said about the RedHawks. "Because of how we've defended the run (allowing an average of 216.3 yards per game), we certainly have to prepare for them trying to run it more.

"But when you see a quarterback throw the ball for over 400 yards and over 300 yards in consecutive weeks, it's a real challenge." Clawson added.

Miami quarterback Zac Dysert has thrown for 1,118 yards and seven touchdowns with only one interception, while rushing for two scores, in the last three games.

"Dysert is going to be, probably, one of the best quarterbacks (in the Mid-American Conference) for years to come. He's athletic. He's accurate. He can beat you with his arm. He can beat you with his feet," Clawson said. "He's a good player and he's obviously on the same page with a lot of the receivers the last couple of weeks. They have guys who can run by you, they have guys who can catch the ball well."

"I've said this many times, P.J. might be our best defensive player," BG head coach Dave Clawson said. "In the first two games, he played this year, he was outstanding. The six games that he was suspended, we really missed him.

"He played really well at Buffalo," Clawson continued. "There was definitely a little bit of rust there, but he made a lot of plays."

SERIES HISTORY: Miami leads 41-19-5 (last meeting, 2009, Miami 27-20). Miami is the lone school from the Mid-American Conference with an all-time series advantage over Bowling Green.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Bowling Green will continue to throw the ball as QB Tyler Sheehan is averaging 332.2 yards per game and has thrown for 16 touchdowns with six interceptions.

WR Freddie Barnes leads the nation with 107 catches for 1,176 yards. He has 11 total touchdowns, including 10 receiving TDs.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Bowling Green is still giving up chunks of yardage on the ground, but the Falcon defense is coming off a strong second-half effort on Nov. 3 against Buffalo.

BG is allowing 216.3 yards per game on the ground.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think we're at a point now we kind of think every game is going to come down to that fourth quarter with two minutes left. Fortunately we have a senior quarterback (Tyler Sheehan) who plays with a lot of poise and a lot of courage. We have some good receivers they get on the same page and our offensive line has done a great job in protecting in those situations. Everybody watching the game knows we're going to throw the ball, but we still hold up protection-wise." -- Bowling Green head coach Dave Clawson.

BG's special teams blocked two punts in the Nov. 3 win over Buffalo and if the Falcons can win the special teams battle, that will make a difference.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

TE Jimmy Scheidler is usually very sure-handed. However, he had a couple of key drops at Buffalo on Nov. 3. He needs to be his usual reliable self to give Tyler Sheehan another target.

LT Blaec Walker will be making his third straight start. The redshirt freshman must be ready to protect the blind side of QB Tyler Sheehan.

PK Matt Norsic has won the place-kicking duties. He needs to be consistent. So far this fall he's 3-of-4 on field goals, with a long of 40 yards, and 7-of-8 on PATs.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Craig Rutherford, a senior long snapper for Bowling Green, has been named to the national academic all-district second-team. A walk-on, Rutherford maintains a perfect 4.0 grade-point average, while majoring in secondary education.

Rutherford, who serves as the long snapper on all extra points and field goals, has helped the Falcon kicking game convert on 11-of-17 field goals and 24-of-25 extra points.

Rutherford was also nominated for the William V. Campbell Trophy given by the National Football Foundation to the nation's top scholar-athlete.

--LT Brady Minturn (neck) could be ready for limited duty against Miami on Nov. 12.

--WR Ray Hutson (knee) returned against Buffalo on Nov. 3 and had four receptions for 38 yards.