NCAA Football Preview (Bowling Green-Kansas St)
Posted: Sat September 27, 1997 at 6:45 a.m EDT
Bowling Green (2-2) at Kansas St (2-0) 2:10 pm EDT
In its final preparation game before a showdown with Nebraska in
its Big 12 Conference opener October 4th, Kansas State
takes on Bowling Green in the first meeting between the schools.
The Wildcats (2-0) started their season with a 47-7 victory over
Northern Illinois but had all kinds of trouble in their second
game, surviving a 23-20 scare against Ohio. Kansas State had a
comfortable lead in that game before giving away almost all of
it.
It was long plays that allowed Kansas State to get past Ohio.
Cornerback Lamar Chapman returned a punt 94 yards for a
touchdown and Martin Gramatica booted field goals of 55 and 51
yards. Chapman also registered 17 tackles, forced a fumble and
recovered a fumble. The punt return was the longest in school
history and tied the Big 12 record. The 55-yard field goal is a
conference record, while Gramatica became the first Wildcat to
convert from 50 or more yards twice in a game.
The Kansas State defense has allowed the opposition to complete
just 10-of-24 passes, holding both foes under 50 percent. When
holding opponents to less than 50 percent completions last year,
Kansas State was 9-0. However, the Wildcats were 0-3 when
allowing a completion rate of 50 percent or better.
Kansas State has not racked up huge offensive numbers, but the
Wildcats have been able to strike quick, with their average
scoring drive taking two minutes, 19 seconds. Field position
has been a key, since the average length of those drives is just
over 45 yards and the average amount of plays standing just over
six.
Eric Hickson leads the way with 121 yards on 29 carries with one
touchdown. Michael Bishop is 11-of-27 for 265 yards and four
touchdowns with no interceptions with an additional 80 yards on
20 carries. He also has a 37-yard punt to his credit, though
James Garcia is the regular punter.
Bowling Green (2-2) started its season with a 30-23 loss at
Louisiana Tech, but rebounded for Mid-American Conference
victories against Miami of Ohio, 28-21, and Akron, 31-28, around
a 44-13 loss to Ohio State. Bowling Green is 1-4 against the
teams in the Big 12, including a 17-10 win over Missouri in
1995.
On offense, the Falcons are led by Bob Niemet, who is 58-of-108
for 627 yards and two touchdowns with a pair of interceptions.
Damron Hamilton has 20 catches for 262 yards and one touchdown,
Terry Loville has 13 grabs for 146 yards and a score and Jeremy
Dusho has 10 receptions for 129 yards.
Robbie Hollis has run the ball 60 times for 231 yards and one
touchdown, while Damien Platt has 47 carries for 121 yards and
two scores. The Falcons have outrushed the opposition 495-445,
but are averaging just 2.9 yards per carry.
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