Offensive Strengths
QB Josh Harris (6?3?? 210) really became a gem by season?s end. In game ten, Harris threw for 402-yards and ran for 96 more without a turnover in a victory at Northwestern. In game eleven, Harris threw for 268-yards and ran for another 117, again without a turnover in a win over Toledo. Andy Sahm (6?6?? 225) also returns as a starting quarterback after having 31-career games, 3,904 passing yards and 26 TDs to his credit. Said Meyer, "Sahm has improved dramatically and we will play both QBs." Robert Redd (5?10?? 195) is a big time player who is one of the MAC?s best. Redd was 3rd in the MAC in receptions per game and set schools records in yardage and TDs last season, capped by his 215-yard two-touchdown performance at Marshall. Sophomore Cole Manger (6?2?? 180) also returns after being used as a quarterback, running back and receiver in 2001. Another receiver looking for a breakthrough year is James Hawkins. At 6?1?? 215 the coaching staff feels the sophomore is primed to become a dominant player in the MAC. Look for Charles Sharon to have a break out year at WR as well. BGSU returns four starters from a unit that made a 125-yard improvement in total offense and reduced their sack total from 51 to 23. Also, with the line becoming so dominate at times, the Falcons went for a league high 29-attempts at 4th down conversions, moving the sticks forward 52% of the time. Jon Mazur (6?2?? 290), Greg Kupke (6?3?? 295), Dennis Wendel (6?7?? 315) and Scott Mruczkowski (6?4?? 307) return to the trenches while Rob Warren ((6?6?? 290), Ryan Lucas ((6?4?? 298), Jesus Yanez (6?3?? 295), James Williams (6?5?? 295) and Vardan Mkhitarian (6?3?? 292) provide wonderful depth. Meyer stated, "Without any doubt, our offensive line is one of our team?s strengths and Jon Mazur should make all-conference."
Offensive Concerns
Urban Meyer is very direct with regards to the running back position, "I?m not satisfied with our play in this area and our results were not acceptable here. We need a 1,200-yard rusher." The Falcons return three players with good experience from a unit that averaged a respectable 166-yards per game on the ground. However, much of that came from the luxury of mobile quarterbacks. Joe Alls (5?10?? 190), Godfrey Lewis (5?9?? 190) and Todd DiBacco (6?1?? 225) return and look to improve the rushing output. Meyer is high on B.J Lane, a redshirt freshman, who should become a bigger part of this offense, along with Marlon Burt. D?Monn Baker (6?4?? 250) and Craig Jarrett (6?2?? 250) are the TEs, but Meyer stated this is an area that needs to be improved big-time. Jason Van Dam has left the team after suffering from a series of concussions.
Defensive Strengths
The Falcons return two solid cornerbacks in Janssen Patton (6?0?? 185), a 2nd Team All-MAC player in 2001, and Keon Newson (6?0?? 172). Last year Bowling Green picked off a MAC high 18 passes. Emmanuel Hendrix (5?1?0 180) will also be a factor at CB. Michael Malone (5?10?? 188) has been moved to strong safety and will be joined by Jason Morton (6?0?? 182), Mike Crumpler (5?11?? 185) and Jerry Wagner (5?11?? 202). The coaches are really excited about sophomore T.J. Carswell (6?1?? 185) and true freshmen Tim Arnold (5?9?? 196), Jelani Jordan (5?10?? 175) and Terrill Mayberry (5?11?? 170) may also play. Chris Haneline (6?1?? 225) is the lone returning starter, but Mitch Hewitt (6?1?? 215), Marcus Allen (6?1?? 212) and Jovan Burkes (6?1?? 230) all have game experience. The coaching staff is really high on Burkes, who they feel may become one of the MAC?s top linebackers this year. The common dominator with all of these linebackers is that they can run and hit. This unit was largely responsible for forcing their opponents a MAC high 17 fumbles in 2001.
Defensive Concerns
Bowling Green returns just one starter from the MAC?s top rated defense from a year ago. The Falcons gave up a superb 86-yard per game on the ground and held eight opponents under the century mark running the ball. They will sorely miss Brandon Hicks, one of the MAC?s top interior defensive linemen, to graduation. Alex Glantzis (6?4?? 280) is the lone returning starter, although D.J. Owchar (6?3?? 275) did start much of the 2000 season. Andy Grubb (6?4?? 270), Mike Thaler (6?1?? 284), Jamal Bryant (6?1?? 285) and Robert Haley (6?4?? 283) are young players who will need to step up and contribute this year. The defensive ends have some game experience, but are new to the demands of playing at length. Mitchell Crossley (6?3?? 240), Ron Blue (6?3?? 248), Will Teague (6?5?? 245) and Pascal Kokke (6?5?? 233) will be the players in the rotation. "The defensive line is our number one concern. There is talent, but it is unproven," stated Meyer. Incoming LBs Luis Llamas (6?2?? 245) & Jason Kaminski (6?3?? 230) will need to contribute right away.
Special Teams
There are two sides to the special team units for Bowling Green. The good is that Joe Alls and Robert Redd return as the kickoff and punt return specialists respectively. Alls led the MAC with a terrific 27-yard per kickoff return while Redd was 2nd in the MAC in punt returns. Also, punter Pat Fleming, who according to Meyer, was the reason for the Falcons victory last year at Missouri. The bad is that BGSU was a pathetic three for 8 in the field goal department. It was so bad at times that the Falcons tried for first downs and touchdowns from anywhere inside the fifty rather than to try to kick a field goal. Meyer & Company will try out place kicker Shaun Suisham, freshman Nate Fry or anyone who can kick the ball at all, in the most wide-open position on the team.
Overview
The Falcons showed the best improvement in Division IA football with six more wins (2-9 to 8-3) from 2000 to 2001. BG became the first team in MAC history to post three victories over BCS conference members after defeating Missouri (Big 12), Temple (Big East) and Northwestern (Big Ten) and doubled their home attendance from 8,464 per game in 2000 to 17,812 in 2001. All of this led Meyer to the consensus ?MAC Coach of the Year? in 2001 and quickly established the 37-year old as one of the top young coaches in the country. So what does he and his program do for an encore? With eight starters returning on an offense that averaged nearly 40-points per game in their final three contests and four starters and several letter winners returning from the MAC?s top rated defense, BGSU is looking to initiate their first year in the MAC West division as a new era of championships and to get a bowl bid for the first time since 1992. BG has a very favorable schedule and the OOC games are all winnable. Barring a total collapse after last season?s break out year, Bowling Green should be considered the favorite in the MAC West this year due to quality QB play, a good offensive line, quality wideouts, and a formable defense.
Schedule
The Falcons are primed for a great 2002 football season due to a very favorable schedule. BG hosts Missouri and Tennessee Tech on OOC games, and travel to Kansas & South Florida. The Falcons should run the table on these games. MAC East games are Ohio University and @Kent State, so expect both contests that BG will be favored. Within the West, BG travels to NIU & Toledo, but hosts Ball State, CMU & WMU
Omar?s View = 10-2; wins against Tennessee Tech, Missouri, @Kansas, Ohio U., @CMU, WMU, BSU, @KSU, @South Florida & EMU; losses @NIU & @Toledo.
BOLD PREDICTION Bowling Green WILL lose to Missouri. Gary Pinkel is fawking pissed - he goes to Doyt and faces Urban Meyer. Yea I think Pinkel has a few tricks up his sleeve.
Pivotal Game:
@Toledo (11/30/02): This game may very well be for the MAC West title, which is fairly early in the schedule. Considering BGSU gets a break with the crossover scheduling while Toledo, Western, Northern and Ball State get much tougher draws, it?s hard to see the Falcons with a conference loss entering this contest.
QB Josh Harris (6?3?? 210) really became a gem by season?s end. In game ten, Harris threw for 402-yards and ran for 96 more without a turnover in a victory at Northwestern. In game eleven, Harris threw for 268-yards and ran for another 117, again without a turnover in a win over Toledo. Andy Sahm (6?6?? 225) also returns as a starting quarterback after having 31-career games, 3,904 passing yards and 26 TDs to his credit. Said Meyer, "Sahm has improved dramatically and we will play both QBs." Robert Redd (5?10?? 195) is a big time player who is one of the MAC?s best. Redd was 3rd in the MAC in receptions per game and set schools records in yardage and TDs last season, capped by his 215-yard two-touchdown performance at Marshall. Sophomore Cole Manger (6?2?? 180) also returns after being used as a quarterback, running back and receiver in 2001. Another receiver looking for a breakthrough year is James Hawkins. At 6?1?? 215 the coaching staff feels the sophomore is primed to become a dominant player in the MAC. Look for Charles Sharon to have a break out year at WR as well. BGSU returns four starters from a unit that made a 125-yard improvement in total offense and reduced their sack total from 51 to 23. Also, with the line becoming so dominate at times, the Falcons went for a league high 29-attempts at 4th down conversions, moving the sticks forward 52% of the time. Jon Mazur (6?2?? 290), Greg Kupke (6?3?? 295), Dennis Wendel (6?7?? 315) and Scott Mruczkowski (6?4?? 307) return to the trenches while Rob Warren ((6?6?? 290), Ryan Lucas ((6?4?? 298), Jesus Yanez (6?3?? 295), James Williams (6?5?? 295) and Vardan Mkhitarian (6?3?? 292) provide wonderful depth. Meyer stated, "Without any doubt, our offensive line is one of our team?s strengths and Jon Mazur should make all-conference."
Offensive Concerns
Urban Meyer is very direct with regards to the running back position, "I?m not satisfied with our play in this area and our results were not acceptable here. We need a 1,200-yard rusher." The Falcons return three players with good experience from a unit that averaged a respectable 166-yards per game on the ground. However, much of that came from the luxury of mobile quarterbacks. Joe Alls (5?10?? 190), Godfrey Lewis (5?9?? 190) and Todd DiBacco (6?1?? 225) return and look to improve the rushing output. Meyer is high on B.J Lane, a redshirt freshman, who should become a bigger part of this offense, along with Marlon Burt. D?Monn Baker (6?4?? 250) and Craig Jarrett (6?2?? 250) are the TEs, but Meyer stated this is an area that needs to be improved big-time. Jason Van Dam has left the team after suffering from a series of concussions.
Defensive Strengths
The Falcons return two solid cornerbacks in Janssen Patton (6?0?? 185), a 2nd Team All-MAC player in 2001, and Keon Newson (6?0?? 172). Last year Bowling Green picked off a MAC high 18 passes. Emmanuel Hendrix (5?1?0 180) will also be a factor at CB. Michael Malone (5?10?? 188) has been moved to strong safety and will be joined by Jason Morton (6?0?? 182), Mike Crumpler (5?11?? 185) and Jerry Wagner (5?11?? 202). The coaches are really excited about sophomore T.J. Carswell (6?1?? 185) and true freshmen Tim Arnold (5?9?? 196), Jelani Jordan (5?10?? 175) and Terrill Mayberry (5?11?? 170) may also play. Chris Haneline (6?1?? 225) is the lone returning starter, but Mitch Hewitt (6?1?? 215), Marcus Allen (6?1?? 212) and Jovan Burkes (6?1?? 230) all have game experience. The coaching staff is really high on Burkes, who they feel may become one of the MAC?s top linebackers this year. The common dominator with all of these linebackers is that they can run and hit. This unit was largely responsible for forcing their opponents a MAC high 17 fumbles in 2001.
Defensive Concerns
Bowling Green returns just one starter from the MAC?s top rated defense from a year ago. The Falcons gave up a superb 86-yard per game on the ground and held eight opponents under the century mark running the ball. They will sorely miss Brandon Hicks, one of the MAC?s top interior defensive linemen, to graduation. Alex Glantzis (6?4?? 280) is the lone returning starter, although D.J. Owchar (6?3?? 275) did start much of the 2000 season. Andy Grubb (6?4?? 270), Mike Thaler (6?1?? 284), Jamal Bryant (6?1?? 285) and Robert Haley (6?4?? 283) are young players who will need to step up and contribute this year. The defensive ends have some game experience, but are new to the demands of playing at length. Mitchell Crossley (6?3?? 240), Ron Blue (6?3?? 248), Will Teague (6?5?? 245) and Pascal Kokke (6?5?? 233) will be the players in the rotation. "The defensive line is our number one concern. There is talent, but it is unproven," stated Meyer. Incoming LBs Luis Llamas (6?2?? 245) & Jason Kaminski (6?3?? 230) will need to contribute right away.
Special Teams
There are two sides to the special team units for Bowling Green. The good is that Joe Alls and Robert Redd return as the kickoff and punt return specialists respectively. Alls led the MAC with a terrific 27-yard per kickoff return while Redd was 2nd in the MAC in punt returns. Also, punter Pat Fleming, who according to Meyer, was the reason for the Falcons victory last year at Missouri. The bad is that BGSU was a pathetic three for 8 in the field goal department. It was so bad at times that the Falcons tried for first downs and touchdowns from anywhere inside the fifty rather than to try to kick a field goal. Meyer & Company will try out place kicker Shaun Suisham, freshman Nate Fry or anyone who can kick the ball at all, in the most wide-open position on the team.
Overview
The Falcons showed the best improvement in Division IA football with six more wins (2-9 to 8-3) from 2000 to 2001. BG became the first team in MAC history to post three victories over BCS conference members after defeating Missouri (Big 12), Temple (Big East) and Northwestern (Big Ten) and doubled their home attendance from 8,464 per game in 2000 to 17,812 in 2001. All of this led Meyer to the consensus ?MAC Coach of the Year? in 2001 and quickly established the 37-year old as one of the top young coaches in the country. So what does he and his program do for an encore? With eight starters returning on an offense that averaged nearly 40-points per game in their final three contests and four starters and several letter winners returning from the MAC?s top rated defense, BGSU is looking to initiate their first year in the MAC West division as a new era of championships and to get a bowl bid for the first time since 1992. BG has a very favorable schedule and the OOC games are all winnable. Barring a total collapse after last season?s break out year, Bowling Green should be considered the favorite in the MAC West this year due to quality QB play, a good offensive line, quality wideouts, and a formable defense.
Schedule
The Falcons are primed for a great 2002 football season due to a very favorable schedule. BG hosts Missouri and Tennessee Tech on OOC games, and travel to Kansas & South Florida. The Falcons should run the table on these games. MAC East games are Ohio University and @Kent State, so expect both contests that BG will be favored. Within the West, BG travels to NIU & Toledo, but hosts Ball State, CMU & WMU
Omar?s View = 10-2; wins against Tennessee Tech, Missouri, @Kansas, Ohio U., @CMU, WMU, BSU, @KSU, @South Florida & EMU; losses @NIU & @Toledo.
BOLD PREDICTION Bowling Green WILL lose to Missouri. Gary Pinkel is fawking pissed - he goes to Doyt and faces Urban Meyer. Yea I think Pinkel has a few tricks up his sleeve.
Pivotal Game:
@Toledo (11/30/02): This game may very well be for the MAC West title, which is fairly early in the schedule. Considering BGSU gets a break with the crossover scheduling while Toledo, Western, Northern and Ball State get much tougher draws, it?s hard to see the Falcons with a conference loss entering this contest.
