Freddie Barnes, a 6-2, 212-pound sophomore wide receiver, was confident when coach Gregg Brandon called a two-point conversion play designed to go to him in overtime.

"Game over," Barnes said, when asked his thoughts. "Just because we run that play so many times. I liked the fact that he had faith in us that right away, a two-point conversion."

The score was Minnesota 31, Bowling Green 30. The Falcons could have gone for a tie to keep the overtime going, but they didn't.

"I seen a guy stretching his arm out," Barnes said, referring to a Gophers player, "but I was focusing on the ball so tough that I really can't tell you what was going on around me.

"I feel the ball was perfect so I can make the play, get my feet in, make the two-point conversion and go home. I had a lot of room."

Barnes caught six passes for 99 yards. He was one of four Falcons with six catches.

He said he was impressed with Bowling Green sophomore quarterback Tyler Sheehan, making his first start. "I give him an-A plus," Barnes said. "I played the position before and I know how tough it is getting your first start."

Actually, maybe not so tough for Sheehan. He was 34-for-51 for 388 yards and one huge little 3-yard pass in overtime.

Helmet technology

The Gophers are one of about 10 college programs that will install new technology in their helmets this week that will monitor when a player has suffered a hit to the head that is serious enough to cause a concussion.

Grand entrance

The Gophers drew a crowd estimated at between 2,500 and 3,000 for their first Victory Walk two hours before kickoff. Fans formed a human tunnel as the team walked down Chicago Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets and into the Metrodome.

Etc.

•Receiver Ernie Wheelwright moved into second place, all alone, in Gophers touchdown catches, when he caught a 13-yarder from Adam Weber on the first play of the fourth quarter.

That score gives him 18 career touchdowns, one more than Tutu Atwell, who played from 1994-97.

The career leader is Ron Johnson, who had 31 from 1998-2001.

•With the score 21-14 Bowling Green, Gophers strong safety Dom Barber made a huge play early in the fourth quarter. Sheehan had a receiver open over the middle on third-and-5 at the Minnesota 25. But Barber reached out with his right hand and knocked the pass down.

On the next play, Sinisa Vrvilo missed a 43-yard field goal. The Gophers took over and drove 75 yards in seven plays to tie the score at 21.

•Gophers tight end Jack Simmons caught two passes in the first half for 9 yards but did not play in the second half. He watched with his right foot in a big protective boot.

•Attendance Saturday was 49,253, which is almost 4,000 more than attendance at the home opener last season. The Gophers beat Temple 62-0 in their third game before 45,612.

•Jason Giannini always wanted to be a football player. He dreamed of being a quarterback or a running back. But his mother, Sandy, would not let him play until eighth grade, worried that he would get hurt.

So, instead, he played soccer in North Canton, Ohio, and hoped he would grow. He never had a real growth spurt and still is only 5-7 — even though the program says 5-9 — and 185 pounds. But that right leg is pretty strong.

Giannini kicked four extra points and a 33-yard field goal with 2 minutes, 12 seconds left to give the Gophers a 24-21 lead. Bowling Green tied it with three seconds left on Sinisa Vrvilo's 35-yard field goal, and the game went into overtime.

Chip Scoggins • ascoggins@startribune.com