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The Bowling Green Falcons offense continued to put up video game like numbers in a 62-38 home win over the Massachusetts Minutemen on Saturday afternoon. The game was supposed to be a shootout and neither team disappointed. The game featured 1,241 of total offense between the two teams. Bowling Green had 725 yards (new school record) on 91 offensive plays and the Minutemen finished with 516 yards.
Matt Johnson continued his remarkable season by going 33 of 39 for 458 yards and five touchdowns and one interception. Johnson has passed for more than 400 yards in five of the Falcons first six games. All five of Johnson's touchdown passes went to a different Falcon receiver.
"Matt Johnson continues to throw for a very high completion percentage (84%)," said head coach Dino Babers. "We could go out and run those plays against no defense at all and I don't think we could repeat those kind of numbers."
Roger Lewis had another big day for Bowling Green with 142 yards on eight catches and a score. Ronnie Moore had 99 yards on 5 catches and a touchdown. Ryan Burbrink, Travis Greene and Derek Lee also caught touchdown passes.
"This offense is perfect fit for the personnel we have," said Johnson. "You double one guy and I am just going to go to the other side of the field and work."
Greene had another big game on the ground for Bowling Green as well with 122 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown. Fred Coppet added another 75 yards rushing and a touchdown for the Falcons. Bowling Green had 206 rushing yards on the day.
In most any other game, we would all be first talking about the offensive number UMASS amassed in this game. Quarterback Blake Frohnapfel finished 34 of 56 for 409 yards and three touchdowns. Tajae Sharpe was his favorite target with 156 yards on 13 catches and a touchdown.
The much maligned Bowling Green defense gave up a ton of yardage again in this one but did come up with two turnovers and enough stops to give the offense the chance to do their thing. And, they also lost their leading tackler, linebacker Austin Valdez midway through the second quarter when he was called for a personal foul for targeting while helping make a tackle.
"To the naked eye from my point of view, it looked like a normal play," said Babers of Valdez's hit. "But, I am just glad it happened in the first half so we get him back next week."
The win is Bowling Green's 14th straight win against Mid-American Conference east opponents. They also improved to 4-0 all-time against UMASS. The Falcons are now 2-0 in the MAC and 4-2 overall this season. The Minutemen fall to 0-1 in the MAC and 1-4 overall. The Falcons will stay at home and play Akron next Saturday, while the Minutemen return home to face Kent State.