Magner leads BG to bowl victory

The Bowling Green State Falcons were looking for their first bowl game win since 1992 when they took on Northwestern in the Motor City Bowl in Detroit on Friday.

To get its first postseason win in 11 years, the Falcons needed a rally and a little help from one Colony High School graduate.

Cole Magner, a 2001 graduate of Colony and the 2000 Alaska State Player of the Year, caught a 3-yard touchdown pass with just 4:06 remaining in regulation to give the Falcons a 27-24 lead.

The ensuing extra point capped a 28-24 Falcon come-from-behind victory.

Magner finished a tremendous junior campaign with a stellar effort in the bowl game. His 12 catches against the Big 10 program was a Motor City Bowl record. He also registered 97 yards receiving and scored two touchdowns.

Magner hauled in a 7-yard touchdown catch with nine minutes left in the third to bring the Falcons within three points.

The 2003 campaign was a breakout year for the Palmer native. Magner shattered the Bowling Green State school record for catches in a season. The 12 in the bowl game gave him 99 for the year. Magner also broke the school mark for receiving yards in a season. He finished with 1,138.

The versatile receiver also ran for 129 yards and threw a touchdown.

Magner and the Falcons finished 11-3 on the season.