The Persian feline got introduced to the program earlier this month and has become quite the catch around Bowling Green.
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Thursday night at Doyt Perry Stadium already had the makings of a spectacle in Bowling Green.
Eddie George will lead his new team into battle for the first time, while Urban Meyer steps on the field where he once coached to be honored for his college football Hall of Fame induction.
Yet, the attention this week hasn’t centered around BGSU’s 2025 season opener as much as it has around a cat.
“I’m allergic to cats, so I’m like, ‘what the hell is a cat doing in the locker room,'” George said.
Earlier this month, senior long snapper George Carlson brought his Persian feline, Pudge, into the locker room to help console a teammate during fall camp. Turns out he made such a great first impression that the Falcons have now claimed him as a locker room cat.
“I am enjoying just making people happy and putting smiles on people’s faces,” Carlson said. “He’s done that for me for so long, so wanted to share that joy.”
On Aug. 10, senior wide receiver Finn Hogan released a video on TikTok showing the furry friend inside Bowling Green’s facility. That video quickly spread with over 18,000 shares and 204,000 likes.
“I love that cat. The day I walked into the locker room, I turned around and asked myself, ‘Did I see that correctly?'” junior linebacker Gideon ESPN Lampron said. “So, I learned about Pudge and since then have had roughly 20 people ask him. It’s awesome to see he’s taking off, great for the program and great for George because he’s a great cat.”
Pudge has generated interest from all across the country, partly through interactions on social media. T-shirts are now being sold in his honor, with the Falcon feline wearing a helmet and holding a football in its paw.
“It has been amazing, it’s super sweet,” Carlson said. “I’ve had him for about a year and one day I decided to bring him in. He’s loving it.”
Carlson told reporters on Monday that more than two dozen shirts have been sold already. Teammate Nate Pabst remembers when Pudge lived a solitary life without much attention.
“I lived with George for a while, so Pudge was in the house for a bit,” the senior offensive tackle said. “I knew him before the fame. He’s always a fun time to be around and he’s just a good cat.”
Some of the Falcons warmed up to the newest addition rather quickly, while others were timid in introducing themselves, given bad history with cats.
“I’m scared of cats. My first interaction with one was one of the most messed-up situations I’ve ever been in,” senior cornerback Jalen McClendon said. “But this is the first cat I’ve ever touched and was cool with. This is our locker room cat now. He just sits around, doesn’t claw at you and I love that cat.”
With so much hype surrounding BGSU’s first game, there’s now another reason for fans to clamor toward the program.
“Pudge is cute, my wife loves Pudge. He’s become part of the family,” George said. “Pudge stays out of my way, I stay out of his way. We are fine.”
The Ohio State Heisman trophy winner referenced in his press conference that he’s allergic to cats. However, Pudge’s breed is considered hypoallergenic, which means allergic reactions are uncommon.
As for the game on Thursday, Bowling Green will kick off its campaign against FCS-opponent Lafayette at 6 p.m. The Leopards finished 6-6 last season and will play BGSU for the first time ever. This is the second year in a row the Falcons open the season against a Patriot League school; they defeated Fordham 41-17 in 2024.
Not only will George be making his debut in the orange and brown, but the National Football Federation will be honoring Urban Meyer on the field between the first and second quarters. The former Bowling Green leader is a member of the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class.
Meyer coached at BGSU for two seasons in 2001 and 2002, leading the program to a combined 17-6 record. He won the 2001 MAC Coach of the Year and had the Falcons ranked as high as 20th in the AP Poll during their 2002 campaign.