Top 10 BGSU Offensive Players 2000-2020

 Top 10 BGSU Offensive Players 2000-2020 

I thought it would be fun to make a list of the top 10 Falcons offensive players from the last 2 decades. I will start by saying I am only doing offensive because it is much easier to do than defense. Defensive stats are much more team based and are less objective to define. Now on that topic, every list like these can be very subjective. Your stats are based on many factors out of your control such as:

• How good was the team around you
• Quality of coach
• Timing

These all play a huge factor in anyone' career and even life. Bad timing can leave a quality QB as the backup for 3 years depending on the current depth chart. A bad coach, and even a bad team gives you less chances to succeed and not the greatest players to support your aspirations. So just keep in mind I tried to make this list as objective as possible. Also, I am only doing 2000-present because football was much different back in the day. Even in the 2000s compared to the 2010s football has become much more offensive oriented so going back to the 80s just is not even fun to me. With all that being said, here is the list!

10. PJ Pope 2002-2005 

PJ Pope burst onto the scene back in 2002 under head coach Urban Meyer. Pope would see a good amount of playing time as a freshman and showed some true potential. As a sophomore, head coach Gregg Brandon would continue Meyer's Spread Option offense that would see Pope explode and become one of the most complete backs in the MAC. Pope rushed for over 1,000 yards and got 10 touchdowns on the ground to boot. His next year would be even better as PJ would rack up 21 touchdowns through the air and on the ground as well as exceed 1,000 yards yet again. Senior year would be a decrease for Pope who racked up less than 500 yards as he played in only 9 games and had a smaller role in the offensive scheme. PJ Pope was an amazing back who hit the 1k club twice, so this list needed him and I am glad I was able to gather him a spot at 10. Pope later went on the play a few games in the NFL, even catching a touchdown pass for the Denver Broncos.

BGSU Achievements:

• 4th in Career Rushing Yards 
• 7th in single season Rushing Yards (2004)
• Tied for 4th in Career Rushing Touchdowns
• Tied for 4th in Rushing Touchdowns in a single season (2004)

Career Totals: 47 Games, 595 Carries, 3116 Yards Rushing, 33 Rushing Touchdowns, 133 Receptions, 1148 Yards Receiving, 8 Receiving Touchdowns

Best Season: 2004 12 Games, 178 Carries, 1098 Yards Rushing, 15 Rushing Touchdowns, 50 Receptions, 490 Yards Receiving, 6 Receiving Touchdowns

Head Coaches: Urban Meyer, Gregg Brandon

4 year BGSU Record: 

2002: Urban Meyer 9-3

2003: Gregg Brandon 11-3 MAC Championship Appearance, Motor City Bowl Champions

2004: Gregg Brandon 9-3 GMAC Bowl Champions

2005: Gregg Brandon 6-5

9. Cole Magner 2001-2004 

Cole Magner, the Alaskan Assassin, comes in at number 9. Cole is one of those guys that embodies the Bowling Green blue collar hustle. Only one FBS offer out of high school, and was only offered a scholarship from BG because a coach vote went 6-5 in favor of Cole. Now that is a heck of a story. Magner started his career in 2001 under Urban Meyer as well. See a pattern here? Magner also played on the BG basketball team, a rare two sport athlete in the Orange and Brown. Magner's first two years under Urban Meyer would teach him a lot but did not see a lot of on field production. That would come as an upperclassman. Magner had just 39 catches and 4 total touchdowns in his first two years but then in 2003 under Gregg Brandon, Cole exploded for over 1,000 yards through the air with 10 touchdowns. The next year would be productive as well, racking up over 700 yards and adding 6 more scores. Cole Magner, as well as a few others, embody everything a Bowling Green Falcon should be. He was undervalued, overlooked, but a medium sized school in the mid-west took a chance on him. He proved to be so much more than meets the eye. Magner went on the play a couple seasons in the Arena Football League. 

BGSU Achievements:

• Tied for 3rd in Career Receptions
• 2nd Most Catches in a single season (2003)
• 10th in Career Receiving Yards
• 4th Most Receiving Yards in a single season (2003)
• Tied for 7th Most Receiving Touchdowns in a single season (2003)

Career Totals: 49 Games, 215 Receptions, 2385 Yards Receiving, 18 Receiving Touchdowns, 57 Carries, 282 Yards Rushing, 2 Rushing Touchdowns

Best Season: 2003 14 Games, 99 Receptions, 1138 Yards Receiving, 10 Receiving Touchdowns, 20 Carries, 87 Yards Rushing

Head Coaches: Urban Meyer, Gregg Brandon

4 year BGSU Record: 

2001: Urban Meyer 8-3

2002: Urban Meyer 9-3

2003: Gregg Brandon 11-3 MAC Championship Appearance, Motor City Bowl Champions

2004: Gregg Brandon 9-3 GMAC Bowl Champions

8. Tyler Sheehan 2006-2009 

Tyler Sheehan was a fantastic QB as a three year starter. Freshman year, Sheehan saw very limited action and struggler with turning over the ball. The next yeah Tyler was handed the reigns under Gregg Brandon and had a very productive year. Sheehan threw 23 touchdowns and 11 picks while racking up over 3 thousand yards. Junior year slightly less productive but Sheehan improved greatly on accuracy and efficiency. Senior year was where it all came together, and under first year coach Dave Clawson Sheena led the Falcons to a 7-5 season and a bowl game. Tyler went on to play pro ball in the CIFL and was even named MVP of their season in 2011.

BGSU Achievements:

• 2nd in Career Passing Yards
• 2nd Most Passing Yards in a single season (2009)
• Most Passing Yards in a single game (2009)
• 3rd in Career Passing Touchdowns
• Tied for 4th Most Passing Touchdowns in a single season (2009)
• Most Career Offensive Yards
• 2nd Most Career Touchdowns

Career Totals: 42 Games, 966 Completions, 1494 Attempts, 10,117 Passing Yards, 70 Passing Touchdowns, 31 Interceptions, 14 Rushing Touchdowns, 3 Receiving Touchdowns

Best Season: 2009 13 Games, 373 Completions, 575 Attempts, 4,051 Passing Yards, 27 Passing Touchdowns, 7 Interceptions, 4 Rushing Touchdowns

Head Coaches: Gregg Brandon, Dave Clawson

4 year BGSU Record: 

2006: Gregg Brandon 4-8

2007: Gregg Brandon 8-5 GMAC Bowl Appearance 

2008: Gregg Brandon 6-6

2009: Dave Clawson 7-6 Humanitarian Bowl Appearance

7. Scotty Miller 2015-2018 

Scott Miller is another guy who embodies the Bowling Green spirit. Miller received only one FBS offer, and coach Dino Babers gave him just 24 hours to say yes or now. Scott showed up at Bowling Green and planned on redshirting 2015 but was called on to play special teams and even caught a couple of passes. The next three seasons, despite two head coaching changes, catching balls from 5 different quarter backs, Miller would light up the Mid American Conference. Scott would go on to provided a set of steady hands on a flailing football team. Bowling Green won the MAC Championship his first year on campus and then thanks to some poor recruiting by Babers, terrible coaching and recruiting by Mike Jinks, and some administrative errors BG would start its decent to the bottom of the FBS. None of than matter though to Miller who was always able to find success, especially when playing BG's out of conference games against some Power 5 opponents such as Oregon and Maryland.  Miller's best year would come in his last, as he racked up over 1,000 yards and displayed some terrific abilities. Scotty would not be invited to the combine but ran a 4.30 40 time at Bowling Green's pro day and was drafted in the 6th round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Miller is now in his second year in the NFL and gone from a few thousand fans in the Doyt to catching passes from the GOAT Tom Brady in front of millions of fans. To think BG was the only school to give him a chance, and what he could have done with a better team around him.

BGSU Achievements:

• Tied for 3rd in Career Receptions
• Tied for 10th Most Catches in a single season (2016)
• 3rd in Career Receiving Yards
• 3rd Most Receiving Yards in a single season (2018)
• 7th Most Receiving Yards in a game (2018)
• Tied for 6th Most Career Receiving Touchdowns
• Tied for 7th Most Receiving Touchdowns in a single season (2016)

Career Totals: 45 Games, 215 Receptions, 2867 Yards Receiving, 23 Receiving Touchdowns, 6 Carries, 38 Yards Rushing

Best Season: 2018 11 Games, 71 Receptions, 1148 Yards Receiving, 9 Receiving Touchdowns, 4 Carries, 16 Yards Rushing

Head Coaches: Dino Babers, Mike Jinks, Carl Pelini

4 year BGSU Record: 

2015: Dino Babers 10-4 MAC Champions and GoDaddy Bowl Appearance

2016: Mike Jinks 4-8

2017: Mike Jinks 2-10

2018: Mike Jinks 1-6

2018: Carl Pelini 2-3

6. Charles Sharon 2002-2005 

Charles Sharon is as surehanded as they come for QB targets. Sharon made an impact on the offense all 4 years that he played in the Orange and Brown. Charles made it on this list for helping Bowling Green's receiving core in that initial spread offense Urban Meyer wanted to implement succeed far beyond anyone's expectations. Sharon played in a lot of big games and had over 1,000 yards in both of his last two seasons, as well having over 65 receptions in both. Sharon was known for keeping his even temperament in high pressure situations, such as securing a few touchdowns against Northern Illinois back in 2003 when Bowling Green became the first ever MAC school to host College Gameday. Sharon would go on to play a year in the NFL on the practice squad and some special teams for the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

BGSU Achievements:

• 2nd in Career Receptions
• Tied for 10th Most Catches in a single season (2005)
• 1st in Career Receiving Yards
• 9th Most Receiving Yards in a single season (2004)
• 1st in Career Receiving Touchdowns
• 3rd Most Receiving Touchdowns in a single season (2004)

Career Totals: 48 Games, 232 Receptions, 3450 Yards Receiving, 34 Receiving Touchdowns, 4 Carries, 34 Yards Rushing

Best Season: 2004 12 Games, 66 Receptions, 1070 Yards Receiving, 15 Receiving Touchdowns

Head Coaches: Urban Meyer, Gregg Brandon

4 year BGSU Record: 

2002: Urban Meyer 9-3

2003: Gregg Brandon 11-3 MAC Championship Appearance, Motor City Bowl Champions

2004: Gregg Brandon 9-3 GMAC Bowl Champions

2005: Gregg Brandon 6-5

5. Freddie Barnes 2006-2009 

When Freddie Barnes left Bowling Green, he left as the all-time NCAA leader in career receptions. in 2009, Freddie Barnes caught the ball 155 which was an NCAA record until it was surpassed by 3 receptions in 2016. Freddie may not have been the fastest on the field, but he had an amazing football IQ and always was able to haul in balls in tight coverages. Barnes was the go to guy for the first year of the Dave Clawson era and provided some much needed stability to the head coaching change. Barnes would rank higher, I originally had him 3rd, but while his Senior year was beyond incredible the year before than was dampened by injuries. His Sophomore campaign was awesome however, proving Barnes had some serious smarts on the field for a young underclassman. The hard part was while Barnes was amazing, he and Charles Sharon, and even Scott Miller were so close it was hard. Who I ranked at 3rd, I felt like was clearly the best at his position. 

BGSU Achievements:

• 1st in Career Receptions
• Tied for 10th Most Catches in a single season (2005)
• 1st in Career Receiving Yards
• 9th Most Receiving Yards in a single season (2004)
• 1st in Career Receiving Touchdowns
• 3rd Most Receiving Touchdowns in a single season (2004)

Career Totals: 47 Games, 297 Receptions, 3290 Yards Receiving, 30 Receiving Touchdowns, 146 Carries, 580 Yards Rushing, 11 Rushing Touchdowns

Best Season: 2009 13 Games, 155 Receptions, 1770 Yards Receiving, 19 Receiving Touchdowns, 25 Carries, 78 Yards Rushing, 2 Rushing Touchdowns

Head Coaches: Gregg Brandon, Dave Clawson

4 year BGSU Record: 

2006: Gregg Brandon 4-8

2007: Gregg Brandon 8-5 GMAC Bowl Appearance 

2008: Gregg Brandon 6-6

2009: Dave Clawson 7-6 Humanitarian Bowl Appearance

4. Omar Jacobs 2003-2005 

Omar Jacobs was elite. Jacobs in 2004 in his first year as a starter set an NCAA record for TD to INT ratio. Omar had over 4,000 yards and threw for 41 touchdowns with just 4 picks. That is an insane year to say the least. Some may ask why Omar did not place higher on the list and a big part of that could be because longevity matters. This is about an amazing career and Jacobs did have that but was hampered by obviously not starting over Josh Harris his first year, then his third year was hampered by injuries. Omar than passed up on his last year to get drafted into the NFL in the 5th round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jacobs was a phenom who left it all out on the field for Bowling Green and displayed deadly accuracy on his throws especially in an era not too kind to quarterbacks.

BGSU Achievements:

• 6th in Career Passing Yards
• 3rd Most Passing Yards in a single season (2004)
• 4th Most Passing Yards in a single game (2005)
• 2nd in Career Passing Touchdowns
• 2nd for Most Passing Touchdowns in a single season (2004)
• Tied for 3rd for Most Passing Touchdowns in a single game (2004)
• 6th Most Total Offensive Yards in a Career
• 4th Most Career Offensive Touchdowns

Career Totals: 25 Games, 523 Completions, 811 Attempts, 6,938 Passing Yards, 71 Passing Touchdowns, 11 Interceptions, 7 Rushing Touchdowns, 3 Receiving Touchdowns, 451 Rushing Yards

Best Season: 2004 12 Games, 309 Completions, 462 Attempts, 4,002 Passing Yards, 41 Passing Touchdowns, 4 Interceptions, 4 Rushing Touchdowns, 300 Rushing Yards

Head Coaches: Gregg Brandon

3 year BGSU Record: 

2003: Gregg Brandon 11-3 MAC Championship Appearance, Motor City Bowl Champions

2004: Gregg Brandon 9-3 GMAC Bowl Champions

2005: Gregg Brandon 6-5

3. Travis Greene 2012-2015 

Travis Greene is far and away the most dynamic running back in BG football history. Travis just played special teams his first year in 2012 but then as a sophomore in 2013 he helped spearhead Bowling Green as one of the most efficient offenses in the NCAA as the Falcons won the MAC Championship. Green racked up an astonishing 1,594 yards in that season. Dave Clawson then left for Wake Forest, and in came Dino Babers who also wanted to utilize Greene as an every down back. Senior year Travis and company won the MAC Championship again in 2015 where Greene rushed for just under 1,300 yards and scored 15 rushing touchdowns. Travis was a very surehanded back who thrived that Falcon Fast, 2 minutes no huddle offense of which the likes we will likely never see replicated to that success. 

BGSU Achievements:

• 1st in Career Rushing Yards 
• 1st in single season Rushing Yards (2013)
• 3rd in Career Rushing Touchdowns
• Tied for 4th in Rushing Touchdowns in a single season (2015)

Career Totals: 35 Games, 682 Carries, 3851 Yards Rushing, 38 Rushing Touchdowns, 72 Receptions, 567 Yards Receiving, 5 Receiving Touchdowns

Best Season: 2013 14 Games, 279 Carries, 1594 Yards Rushing, 11 Rushing Touchdowns, 18 Receptions, 155 Yards Receiving, 2 Receiving Touchdowns

Head Coaches: Dave Clawson, Dino Babers

4 year BGSU Record: 

2012: Dave Clawson 8-5 Military Bowl Appearance

2013: Dave Clawson 10-4 MAC Champions, Little Ceasers Pizza Bowl Appearance

2014: Dino Babers 8-6 MAC Championship Appearance, Camelia Bowl Champions

2015: Dino Babers 10-4 MAC Championship, GoDaddy Bowl Appearance 

2. Matt Johnson 2012-2015 

Matt J could sling it with anyone at a Power 5 program. Told he was too short to play QB at a high level, Matt Johnson set out to prove everyone wrong. Matt climbs his way up on this list for many reasons, but mainly for being a tough, hard-nosed winner. Johnson really developed that Falcon Fast offense into a constant two minute drill. Only starting his Sophomore and Senior season, Johnson led the Falcons to the MAC Championship game against BCS ranked Northern Illinois who had Heisman candidate Jordan Lynch. Johnson won the quarterback dual that day, leading Bowling Green to a MAC Championship on the back of 393 yards and 5 touchdowns. That was under Dave Clawson, who left for Wake Forest. Then after an injury that ended his third year, Johnson carried the now Dino Babers Falcon team to another MAC Championship. An amazing career, with some amazing wins to go along with it.

BGSU Achievements:

• 3rd in Career Passing Yards
• 1st in Passing Yards in a single season (2015)
• 2nd Most Passing Yards in a single game (2015)
• 1st in Career Passing Touchdowns
• 1st for Most Passing Touchdowns in a single season (2015)
• Tied for 1st for Most Passing Touchdowns in a single game (2015)
• 4th Most Total Offensive Yards in a Career
• 1st in Most Offensive Yards in a single season (2015)
• 3rd Most Career Offensive Touchdowns

Career Totals: 37 Games, 655 Completions, 1002 Attempts, 8,846 Passing Yards, 73 Passing Touchdowns, 16 Interceptions, 9 Rushing Touchdowns, 399 Rushing Yards

Best Season: 2015 14 Games, 383 Completions, 569 Attempts, 4,946 Passing Yards, 46 Passing Touchdowns, 8 Interceptions, 5 Rushing Touchdowns, 159 Rushing Yards

Head Coaches: Dave Clawson, Dino Babers

4 year BGSU Record: 

2012: Dave Clawson 8-5 Military Bowl Appearance

2013: Dave Clawson 10-4 MAC Champions, Little Ceasers Pizza Bowl Appearance

2014: Dino Babers 8-6 MAC Championship Appearance, Camelia Bowl Champions

2015: Dino Babers 10-4 MAC Championship, GoDaddy Bowl Appearance 

1. Josh Harris 2000-2003 

As amazing as Matt Johnson was, no one in the history of the Orange and Brown should be number 1 besides Josh Harris. Harris started in 2000 at the rebirth of the Bowling Green program. His Sophomore year, Urban Meyer came in and decided to change the entire culture of Bowling Green Football. He wanted players that would work hard and win no matter what. Team first, tough young men. No better leader than Josh Harris. It also happened that he fit the type of football Meyer wanted to play as well which was a spread option-run offense. Harris had a quality first couple of years but was fully given the reigns of the team in 2002. Harris would the Falcons to some incredible wins and would put up some crazy numbers to go with it. 39 total touchdowns that year, in an era without all these rules to support a fast high-pace offense. That is just not how football was played back then, especially not in the mid-west. Josh was a revolutionary who the next year in 2003 led Bowling Green to National recognition. Bowling Green was the first MAC school to host ESPN College Gameday, and against the 10th BCS ranked NIU Huskies Harris led the Falcons to victory. With 438 yards and 3 scores Harris and the Falcons shocked the nation, but they didn't shock themselves. That continue as Gregg Brandon would say the biggest win for the team that year was a win against Northwestern in the Motor City Bowl. Harris as 454 total yards of offense and the Falcons won 28-24 on a national stage. Such a dual threat, Josh was just as lethal with his legs. He would always run through defenders and almost never slide down. He racked up a lot of rushing yards especially considered sacks would have counted against him. Luckily for him there were few thanks to his awareness and quickness. What a career it was for a best to ever suit up those bright orange uniforms. Josh is my unanimous 1, and would still be on an all-time list. What he could do not just passing, but running as well will never be found again in Bowling Green, Ohio.

BGSU Achievements:

• 5th in Career Passing Yards
• 4th in Passing Yards in a single season (2003)
• 8th Most Passing Yards in a single game (2003)
• 5th in Career Passing Touchdowns
• 4th Most Passing Touchdowns in a single season (2003)
• 6th Most Rushing Yards in a Career
• 1st for Most Rushing Touchdowns in a Career
• 1st for Most Rushing Touchdowns in a single season (2002)
• 2nd Most Career Offensive Yards
• 2nd Most Offensive Yards in a single season 2003
• 1st for Most Offensive Yards in a single game
• 1st for Most Offensive Touchdowns in a Career

Career Totals: 42 Games, 627 Completions, 1028 Attempts, 7,503 Passing Yards, 55 Passing Touchdowns, 28 Interceptions, 43 Rushing Touchdowns, 2473 Rushing Yards, 6 Receptions, 113 Receiving Yards, 4 Receiving Touchdowns

Best Season: 2003 14 Games, 325 Completions, 494 Attempts, 3,823 Passing Yards, 27 Passing Touchdowns, 12 Interceptions, 13 Rushing Touchdowns, 830 Rushing Yards, 1 Reception, 48 Receiving Yards, 1 Receiving Touchdown

Head Coaches: Gary Blackney, Urban Meyer, Gregg Brandon

4 year BGSU Record: 

2000: Gary Blackney 2-9

2001: Urban Meyer 8-3

2002: Urban Meyer 9-3

2003: Gregg Brandon 11-3 MAC Championship Appearance, Motor City Bowl Champions

If you made it to the end, congrats! Hope you enjoyed the list, reach out on Twitter @ BGFootballTalk