BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- The biggest brands in pet care have courted him with swag boxes.

He travels with a security detail and is cashing in on his own merch line.

Hotels that ban animals bend the rules when he arrives.

EA Sports even built him into its video game.

Who could've guessed one of the breakout stars this college football season would be a cat?

Meet Pudge, the 3-year-old exotic shorthair Persian who's now the smushy face of Bowling Green. Boosting morale in the locker room and on the sidelines, Pudge has helped propel the 2-1 Falcons to their best start in 11 years, highlighted by Saturday's 23-13 upset of Liberty.

Pudge belongs to Bowling Green starting long-snapper George Carlson , who had no idea his orange-coated companion would turn into a campus celebrity.

"He's

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