Week 2: Minnesota at Bowling Green

The Falcons demonstrated last weekend against Pittsburgh that hell hath no fury like a defense scorned. Bowling Green rolled over and allowed Tulsa to score 63 in the GMAC Bowl in early January, and then had to live with that nightmare and all of the ridicule and scorn for eight months. By shutting out Pittsburgh in the second half of a 27-17 road win over the No. 25 ranked Panthers, the Falcons might have gained some measure of redemption.

"Our kids feed on that, all the negative stuff that is said about our run defense," Bowling Green coach Gregg Brandon said. "They were up for the challenge, and I don't think anyone expected that."

Bowling Green also started the 2007 season with an upset win on the road against a BCS conference team — and that victim was Minnesota, the Falcons' next opponent. The Golden Gophers were stunned by the 32-31 overtime loss in the Metrodome, and never found their footing as they posted a 1-11 mark in Tim Brewster's debut season.

Minnesota hopes that sophomore quarterback Adam Weber logged a lot of data while taking nearly every snap last season and setting a number of single-season school records. Weber showed the dual threat capability that will be necessary to make Brewster's offense click. He will test the Bowling Green secondary with his frequent connections with junior wide receiver Eric Decker. The Gophers will pound the ball with Duane Bennett, who had 92 yards rushing in the opening win over Northern Illinois.

Bowling Green quarterback Tyler Sheehan, who completed 34 passes in 51 attempts for 388 yards in last year's win over the Gophers, is back and expected to put up all-conference type numbers. He will test the revamped Minnesota secondary that features three newcomers — Junior college transfers Tramaine Brock and Traye Simmons and converted wide receiver Marcus Sherels. In the win over Northern Illinois, Sherels broke up three passes, Brock had a team-high five unassisted stops and Simmons had three tackles and broke up a pass.

Notes:

Bowling Green had to hang on, then rally in overtime to beat the Golden Gophers last year. The Falcons built a 21-0 halftime lead, then trailed 24-21 with two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. BG needed a late field goal to get the game to overtime, scored after Minnesota had found the endzone in overtime, then went for two and the win.

Duane Bennett scored on a one-yard touchdown run in the final seconds to give the Gophers their first fourth quarter game winning touchdown since Nov. 18, 2000.

The suspension of starter Willie Geter, Chris Bullock seized the moment and ran for 44 yards and had another 49 through the air in the upset win over Pittsburgh. The last time the junior running back had that many yards from scrimmage was almost two years ago on Oct. 28, 2006 when he recorded 213 yards from scrimmage against Temple.

Minnesota demonstrated big-play ability in its opener against Northern Illinois with Jack Simmons’ 53-yard touchdown reception and Duane Bennett’s 60-yard touchdown run. The Gophers scored two touchdowns of 50 yards or more for the first time since Sept. 1, 2005 when Laurence Maroney ran for touchdowns of 67 and 73 yards at Tulsa.

Bowling Green's Doyt L. Perry Stadium, in its 42nd year, will host a team from the Big Ten Conference for the first time when Minnesota comes to town this week.

Key Player (Golden Gophers) — Eric Decker, WR

Decker had 10 receptions for 89 yards in the season-opening win over Northern Illinois, his second double-digit reception game of his career. The Cold Spring, Minn. native caught six passes on the Gophers' opening drive, including a seven-yarder for a touchdown. For this offense to work, Decker has to be the most consistent player on the field and the guy who makes quarterback Adam Weber build confidence.

Key Player (Falcons) — Diyral Briggs, DE

The superb defensive effort at Pittsburgh had a lot to do with the disruptive work done by Briggs, who was also a major force in Bowling Green's win at Minnesota last year. It is quickness that gives teams trouble with Briggs, who often demands double-teaming. Briggs is adept at slipping blocks and athletic enough to keep offensive linement from maintaining contact.

Bowling Green by 7