BOWLING GREEN, O. – Bowling Green State University’s 34-18 win over Northern Illinois on Oct. 25 was more than the first nationally televised football game from BGSU. The game went worldwide as well, thanks to the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service, which carried it to American troops overseas.

“I am stationed here in Tuzla, Bosnia, and while the game was tape delay, it sure was awesome to see the stadium full of Orange,” read a post to Ay-Ziggy-Zoomba.com from a member of the service identified as Sgt. Rok.

“I was also able to see the BG faithful who arrived at the game early to be on ESPN,” she continued. “They really showed a lot of pep and spirit on the cameras. What a proud moment!”

The presence of ESPN and its College GameDay show helped create an event that was plugged even in New York City’s Times Square, where BGSU was flashing on a screen Saturday with the words “ESPN at BGSU all week.”

With the win, the 7-1 Falcons climbed to 17 in the Associated Press college football poll and 20 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll.

(Posted October 28, 2003 )