The Bulls, 5-4, 3-2, travel to Akron this Thursday before facing the Falcons. Buffalo has won three straight games, including two straight in the conference.

The Falcons have light practice sessions set for today, Wednesday and Thursday.

They arent going to be very physical practices or long. Well run around and rep some of the things that we can do without banging a lot, BG head coach Gregg Brandon said about the next three practices. At this point of the season ... for health reasons its good that they rest a little bit this week.

The team will take Friday and Saturday off and come back in earnest on Sunday.

The Falcons are currently alone in third place in the MAC East behind Akron and Buffalo, both 3-2.

For Bowling Green to win the East, it must win its last two games and Akron must lose one of its final three, Brandon said.

Thats what they (the MAC) are telling me, Brandon said. Were halfway home, weve got to finish.

OFFENSE: Bowling Green is sixth in the 13-team MAC, averaging 26.0 points per game. BG is ninth in total offense averaging 340.4 yards per game, including 117.5 yards per game rushing (ninth) and 222.9 yards per game passing (eighth).

Our offensive production isnt where I think it should be right now, Brandon said.
While the offensive line has been healthy for most of the season and held up pretty well, Brandon said, injuries at running back and wide receiver have slowed the Falcons.

Point-wise I think were OK, Brandon said. Overall production-wise were not what Im used to. I would like 400 yards of offense (per game).

Brandon added that he would like to be averaging about 150 yards per game rushing. BGs passing yardage is also down from previous years.

Were not throwing the ball as deep at times as I want to and as far down the field as I want to, Brandon noted. (Thats) mainly because protection-wise it takes a little longer to throw those.
If the Falcons can throw a few more deep balls that could open up the running game, Brandon said.

Brandon is pleased with BGs production in the red zone, which is second in the MAC at 31-of-35, including 24 touchdowns.

Its not what everybody is used to, scoring 40 (points a game) and 500 (yards per game), but those days are tough to come by, Brandon said.

MAC HONORS: Erique Dozier, a fifth-year senior linebacker for the Falcons, has been named the MAC East defensive player of the week.

Dozier had an interception, 11⁄2 sacks and seven total tackles in BGs 28-3 win over Ohio last Saturday. His 38-yard interception return helped set up a BG scoring drive.

The Falcons did not allow a touchdown for the first time since Nov. 6, 2004, a 52-0 victory over Western Michigan.

Dozier is second on the team with 73 tackles, including 4 1/2 for loss. He also has four pass breakups and two forced fumbles this season.

BEAM: Andrew Beam, BGs backup quarterback, will continue to be involved in the offense.

 

He threw and completed his first pass of the season, a 22-yard touchdown to Tyler Sheehan, and rushed six times for 25 yards against Ohio.

Its like any junior college player. It takes time, especially at the quarterback position. Its not coming in and playing left guard, Brandon said. Beam played two seasons at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, Calif.

We recruited him to be our backup quarterback and thats what he is and were trying to involve him as many ways as we can in our running game ... Hes getting more and more of a grasp of what we want to try to get done, Brandon added. Were going to keep using him because were going to need him the rest of the way.

INJURIES: Brandon said wide receiver/running back Anthony Turner (shoulder) could have played more against Ohio if needed, and will be ready to play against Buffalo.

Hes going to be a tough guy to keep out these last two games, Brandon said about Turner.

Wide receiver Freddie Barnes (knee) is improving and Brandon hopes he can play against Buffalo. Even though he has played in only seven of 10 games, Barnes is second on the team with 27 receptions.

Running back Chris Bullock suffered a concussion against Ohio, but is OK, Brandon said.

Running back Willie Geter (knee) is progressing.