What Is 2014 Bowling Green Falcons football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 Bowling Green Falcons football team represented Bowling Green State University in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 9-4 record under head coach Dino Babers. They won the MAC Championship Game 47-27 over Northern Illinois and defeated Arizona in the 2014 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl 35-34. Quarterback Matt Johnson threw for 3,336 yards and 36 touchdowns during the season.

Key Facts

The 2014 Bowling Green Falcons finished the season with a 9-4 overall record
They won the 2014 MAC Championship Game with a 47-27 victory over Northern Illinois
Head coach Dino Babers led the team in his first season at the helm
Matt Johnson threw for 3,336 yards and a MAC-record 36 touchdowns
The Falcons defeated Arizona 35-34 in the 2014 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Overview

The 2014 Bowling Green Falcons football team represented Bowling Green State University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) during the 2014 season. Competing in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division, the Falcons experienced a significant turnaround under first-year head coach Dino Babers, who implemented an aggressive, pass-heavy offensive scheme known as the 'Bullpup' system.

The team achieved its first double-digit win season since 1992 and captured its first MAC Championship since 1991. Their high-powered offense ranked among the national leaders in scoring and total offense, making them one of the most exciting mid-major programs in the country that year.

Record: The Falcons finished the 2014 season with a 9-4 overall record and a 7-1 mark in MAC play, securing the East Division title.
Head Coach: Dino Babers took over as head coach in 2014 and immediately transformed the program with his fast-paced, spread offense philosophy.
MAC Championship: On December 5, 2014, Bowling Green defeated Northern Illinois 47-27 in Detroit to win the MAC title for the first time in 23 years.
Quarterback Performance: Matt Johnson led the nation in touchdown passes with 36, setting a new single-season school record and a MAC record.
Bowl Victory: The Falcons defeated the Arizona Wildcats 35-34 in the 2014 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on December 20, 2014, in Boise, Idaho.

Season Performance

The 2014 campaign marked a dramatic improvement from the previous season, where the Falcons went 7-5. With a retooled offense emphasizing quick passes and tempo, Bowling Green averaged 42.3 points per game, ranking 6th nationally in scoring.

Offensive Output: The Falcons averaged 473.8 yards per game, with 3,336 passing yards from quarterback Matt Johnson, who completed 69% of his throws.
Key Game: A 40-35 win over rival Toledo on November 20 secured the East Division title and propelled them into the MAC Championship.
Defensive Improvement: After struggling defensively in 2013, the 2014 unit allowed 27.8 points per game, a significant improvement under coordinator Mike Soto.
Running Game: Running back Travis Greene rushed for 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns, providing balance to the high-octane passing attack.
National Recognition: The team reached as high as No. 22 in the AP Poll following their MAC Championship victory, earning national attention.
Turnover Margin: Bowling Green finished the season with a +12 turnover margin, thanks to improved ball security and opportunistic defense.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a statistical comparison between the 2014 Bowling Green Falcons and the 2013 team to illustrate the year-over-year improvement.

Statistic	2013 Team	2014 Team
Overall Record	7-5	9-4
Conference Record	5-3	7-1
Points Per Game	28.6	42.3
Passing Touchdowns	19	36
Total Yards Per Game	398.1	473.8

The data shows a clear leap in performance across all key metrics. The 2014 team not only improved in wins and offensive production but also gained postseason success with a conference title and a bowl victory. This transformation highlighted the impact of Babers’ offensive philosophy and improved player development.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season was a turning point for Bowling Green football, re-establishing the program as a force in the MAC and a model for mid-major innovation. The success brought increased recruiting attention and national visibility to the university.

Program Momentum: The season revitalized fan interest, with average home attendance increasing by over 5,000 per game compared to 2013.
Coaching Impact: Dino Babers’ success led to offers from Power Five schools, eventually landing him at Syracuse in 2016.
Player Development: Matt Johnson and Travis Greene both earned All-MAC First Team honors, showcasing the program’s ability to develop talent.
Offensive Innovation: The 'Bullpup' offense influenced other mid-major programs to adopt faster-paced, pass-oriented systems.
Bowl Exposure: The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl appearance was televised nationally, giving the university valuable branding exposure.
Recruiting Boost: The team’s success led to a higher-rated recruiting class in 2015, including several four-star prospects.

The 2014 Bowling Green Falcons season remains a benchmark for the program, symbolizing what can be achieved with innovative coaching and player development. It set a foundation for sustained success in the years that followed.