FACTS & STATS: Site: Doyt Perry Stadium (31,000) -- Bowling Green, Ohio. Television: Local. Home Record: Buffalo 4-1, BGSU 1-3. Away Record: Buffalo 2-3, BGSU 4-2. Neutral Record: Buffalo 0-0, BGSU 0-0. Conference Record: Buffalo 4-2, BGSU 3-3. Series Record: Bowling Green leads, 4-1.

GAME NOTES: With first place in the East Division of the Mid-American Conference on the line, the Bowling Green Falcons will host the Buffalo Bulls this Friday at Doyt Perry Stadium. The Bulls come into this contest playing their best football, and are riding a four-game winning streak. The last time Buffalo was on the field the team grabbed a thrilling, 43-40 overtime win over Akron, pushing their league mark to 4-2, which is good enough for first place in the East Division. As for the Falcons, they have won back-to-back contests, defeating Kent State, 45-30, and Ohio, 28-3. With the two victories the Falcons are now 5-5 overall, and more importantly 3-3 in league play. If Bowling Green can win its last two contests the team will capture the East Division, and a chance to play in the MAC title matchup. In terms of the all- time series between the two schools on the gridiron, the Falcons have won four of the last five contests.

Throughout the season the Bulls have been balanced offensively, rushing for 152.0 ypg, while also throwing for another 237.0 ypg. All that production has led to a solid 30.1 ppg. James Starks has been the made option out of the backfield, as the tailback has rushed for 1,028 yards and 11 scores. Brandon Thermilus has been a strong goal line threat, scoring seven TDs, while posting 404 yards. Drew Willy has done a terrific job under center, throwing for 2,348 yards and 18 touchdowns against four interceptions. Naaman Roosevelt has been the go-to guy for Willy, as the wide out is leading the team with 68 receptions, 954 yards and eight scores. In the recent victory over Akron Starks was outstanding, rushing for 151 yards and three scores on 4.1 ypc. Willy also put forth a strong effort, throwing for 252 yards and one TD. Starks grabbed 13 passes for 90 yards in the win, while Roosevelt collected nine receptions for 111 yards and one touchdown.

Unfortunately the team has struggled defensively, surrendering 400.0 total ypg, and that has led to 27.5 ppg. The team has allowed 20 touchdowns on the ground, but has also struggled against the pass, surrendering 253.9 ypg through the air. Buffalo has forced 21 turnovers on the year, but pressuring the quarterback has been a problem, as the team has recorded just eight sacks. The Bulls were able to walk away with a win against Akron despite being pounded for 474 total yards, including 179 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Mike Newton led the way in the win with 12 tackles, while Kendric Hawkins added 11 points, and forced one fumble.

The Falcons have been up and down throughout the year offensively, and head into this matchup averaging a mediocre 340.4 total ypg, and that has led to 26.0 ppg. The majority of the team's success has come from the pass, as the Falcons are averaging 222.9 ypg through the air, and out of the 33 touchdowns scored by this unit, 20 have come via the pass. Tyler Sheehan has been solid under center for BGSU, as the signal caller has thrown for 2,129 yards and 16 touchdowns against seven interceptions. Corey Partridge has been the main option downfield, as the wideout is leading the team with 50 receptions, 476 yards and five touchdowns. The last time the Falcons were in action the team only totaled 322 yards, but it was good enough for BGSU to grab a strong 28-3 win over Ohio. Sheehan threw for 207 yards and two scores in the win, while Partridge hauled in five passes for 63 yards.

Fortunately the team has found tremendous success on defense, as BGSU is limiting team's to just 355.4 total ypg, and just 22.8 ppg. However, the team has struggled a tad against the run, allowing the opposition to rush for 174.8 ypg and 18 touchdowns. Bowling Green has also been unable to make many big plays this season, as the team has forced just 17 turnovers, while also recording only 17 sacks. In the victory over Ohio, the Falcons put forth a tremendous defensive effort, limiting the Bobcats to just 228 total yards, including just 40 rushing yards on 1.4 ypc. Bowling Green forced two turnovers in the victory, and surprisingly collected four sacks. Jahmal Brown was outstanding in the win, grabbing 13 tackles to go along with two TFLs.

The Falcons might be home, but the Bulls have been playing outstanding football and should be able to overwhelm Bowling Green's defense with their tremendous offensive play.