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The high-powered Bowling Green offense got some help from their defense and it led to a 59-10 rout of the Akron Zips on homecoming on Saturday afternoon. The Falcons defense has struggled most of the season, but created four turnovers, made two fourth down stops, and held the Zips to only 271 yards of total offense.
Meanwhile, it was just another day at the office for quarterback Matt Johnson and the Bowling Green offense. Johnson had another highly efficient day, going 25 of 30 (83%) for 357 yards and five touchdowns. Roger Lewis was his favorite target once again with six catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns. The Falcons offense rolled up 532 yards of total offense.
After a first quarter that produced a 7-7 tie, the Falcons exploded for three scores in the second quarter to take a 28-10 lead at halftime. It didn't get any better for the Zips in the second half as the Falcons put together another 21-point quarter in the third, to take a commanding 49-10 lead.
Then, the fourth quarter started with the Falcons having the ball on the Akron 1-yard line. On the last play of the third quarter, it looked like Johnson and Lewis had connected on another long touchdown pass, but after an official's review of the play, it was determined that Lewis had stepped out at the one-yard line. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Johnson lofted one to Lewis in the right corner of the end zone for the score and it was 55-10, and the starters got to take the rest of the game off.
The Bowling Green defense harassed Akron quarterback Thomas Woodson all game, as he finished 13 of 28 for just 91 yards passing, with those two interceptions. Conor Hundley had 69 yards rushing to lead the Zips, who had 158 yards on the ground in the game as a team. But that wasn't nearly enough to keep pace with the Falcons.
In addition to Lewis' two touchdown receptions, Gehrig Dieter, Ryan Burbrink and Travis Greene also caught touchdown passes from Johnson. Greene led Bowling Green with 64 yards rushing, while Fred Coppet added another 52 yards and a touchdown. Short-yardage specialist Donovan Wilson also had two touchdowns on the ground for the Falcons.
The 49 points is the the largest margin of victory ever in a game between the two schools, and this was the seventh straight win for the Falcons over the Zips. Bowling Green has now won 15 straight games against Mid-American Conference east division opponents.
The Falcons improve to 3-0 in the MAC and 5-2 overall. They will be on the road next Saturday to play Kent State. The Zips fall to 1-2 in the MAC and 3-4 overall. Akron will return home next week to play Central Michigan.