Football: A Look At The Rockets' Final Opponent - Bowling Green
8/22/2001 12:00:00 PM | Football
Written by Bowling Green State University Sports Information Office.
Aug. 22, 2001
Bowling Green, OH - Following is position-by-position look at the Falcons:
QUARTERBACK
Coach Urban Meyer believes that all three players have the capability of leading the Falcon offensive attack.
Junior Andy Sahm 's streak of 17 consecutive starts ended when he sat out the final game against Toledo due to injury. He completed 123 passes for 1,490 yards and eight TD 's in 10 games. He also hit on 50.4 percent of his passing attempts. Sahm, a drop-back passer, is an out- standing leader who,with proper protection, displays an accurate and strong arm.
Sophomore Josh Harris, a true freshman last season, peeled his redshirt off when the Falcons entered the Akron game with only one healthy running back. He returned three kicks for 75 yards in that game,in- cluding a Falcon season-best 39-yard return. He started the next game, at Miami, at the tailback position. Against the RedHawks, he carried the ball 18 times for 103 yards and completed one pass for six yards. He ended the year ranked second on the team in rushing with 243 yards. A playmaker, Harris will be counted on to mature and improve as a passer.
Redshirt freshman David Azzi has impressed the Falcon coaching staff with his work ethic and athletic ability. If either of the above slip,look for the native of Canada to see playing time.
QUOTING COACH MEYER: "I think the quarterbacks made vast improvement during the course of the spring. Andy Sahm has done the best job of learning the offense and made some big plays for us in the spring. Josh Harris is a tremendous talent who needs to improve on his consistency. When that happens,he can be a big-time playmaker. David Azzi is extremely confident and is someone who will have an impact at BGSU."
RUNNING BACK
The Falcons have an experienced trio for the one-back offense and a redshirt freshman who is coming off an impressive spring. Junior Godfrey Lewis suffered a knee injury in the second game of last season and was granted a medical redshirt. Lewis,with two years of eligibility remaining,has rushed for 1,284 yards in his career to date, and has averaged four yards per carry.
Junior Joe Alls also battled health issues in 2000. He will look to return to the form which saw him rush for 592 yards and average five yards per carry as a freshman in 1999.
Senior John Gibson is back after leading the team in rushing in 2000. He gained 514 yards and rushed for four TDs as a junior. Redshirt freshman Todd DiBacco rushed for more than 4,000 yards as a prep and will challenge for playing time.
QUOTING COACH MEYER: "It is our goal to have a 1,200-yard rusher in our offensive system. Godfrey Lewis had a great spring and we were pleased with his performance in the spring game. Joe Alls is another guy who could really help us. Todd DiBacco opened some eyes during the spring as well. John Gibson needs to be healthy to be effective for us."
TIGHT END
Sophomore Jason Van Dam started five games last season and was third on the team with 12 catches for 174 yards and two TDs. Sopho- more D'Monn Baker received a lot of repetitions during the spring and is a big target.
Sophomore Craig Jarrett has moved from the fullback position. He averaged 4.7 yards per rush last year. Junior Ross Durham caught three passes for 25 yards and has 10 career starts.
QUOTING COACH MEYER:"This group will play an important role for us. They have done a good job of learning the offense, but need to improve as receivers. They have ability, but not much experi- ence."
OFFENSIVE LINE
Fifth-year senior Malcolm Robinson started every game at right tackle in 2000, after moving across the ball from the defensive line. Redshirt junior Dennis Wendel started five games at left guard last season. He will replace the departed Rob Fehrman, who signed with the Pitts- burgh Steelers after starting all four years at left tackle. Senior Mike Bodnar, sophomore Beau Carmon and redshirt freshman Andy Wenstrup are challenging for playing time. Bodnar has started six games in his career.
Junior Jon Mazur started every game for the Falcons last season. Mazur, who started four contests at center and seven at left guard, has the inside track at the center spot. He is backed up by sophomore James Williams and sophomore Frank Kaiser.
A knee injury in spring practice to junior guard Greg Kupke will give an opportunity to two redshirt freshmen to earn a starting spot. An- drew Hart will likely start on the right side, while Scott Mruczkowski will get the call on the left side. Junior Ryan Yeager and sophomore Ryan Lucas will provide depth.
QUOTING COACH MEYER:"Our offensive line made great improvement during spring drills. We need to develop some depth. I expect our offensive line to develop into one of the more physical groups in the conference."
WIDE RECEIVER
This group figures to be in the spotlight with the Falcons' new offen- sive scheme. A key element to success for the 2001 season will be if seniors Kurt Gerling and Aaron Alexander can overcome injuries which have plagued them over the past season. Gerling,who has caught a pass in 29 straight games (sixth longest streak in the country), under- went knee surgery in April and hopes to return early in the season. He ranks eighth all-time at BGSU in receptions with 116 and seventh in yardage at 1,755. Gerling missed four games with a broken collar- bone in 2000. Alexander will be looking to return to the form which saw him catch 35 passes for 462 yards in 1999.
Senior David Bautista was the team 's offensive MVP last season after finishing second in the MAC in receptions with 69 and in yardage at 915. His reception total was the second highest in school history and he had four games with 100 yards or more receiving. Junior Robert Redd is an explosive threat who returns to the team after a one-year absence. He caught 39 passes for 552 yards and led the team with six TD catches in 1999.
Senior Cleon Ghant, junior Darnell Bond-Awls,sophomore Austin Holman and freshman Kevin Poindexter will have an opportunity to see increased playing time.
QUOTING COACH MEYER: "The receiver position was an area of concern after spring practice. Kurt (Gerling)and Aaron (Alexander) will play significant roles on this team along with Robert (Redd) and David (Bautista). We have some talented individuals and we need to stay healthy. This is a position where we need to develop depth, a lot like the offensive line."
DEFENSIVE LINE
Senior nose tackle Brandon Hicks finished among the conference lead- ers in sacks (eight)and in tackles for a loss (13). He also had two blocked kicks, a pass deflection, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and two QB hurries, totalling 47 tackles. Hicks was named first-team All-MAC by The Sporting News and was a second-team choice by the conference coaches.
Junior defensive tackle D.J.Owchar had 27 tackles, 2.5 sacks, four pass deflections and four QB hurries. Senior defensive end Ryan Wingrove was second on the team with 13 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks. He also had 35 tackles. Hicks, Owchar and Wingrove each started every game for the Falcons last season.
Senior Chris Glantzis will likely start at the other defensive end spot. He had 35 tackles, five TFLs, 2 1/2 sacks, three QB hurries, a deflec- tion, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. His younger brother, Alex, had 17 tackles and a sack in a reserve role and will play defen- sive tackle.
Junior end Will Teague saw extensive action on special teams and had three stops. Sophomore tackle Jared Butts, sophomore end Rick Mauer, freshman end Ron Blue, freshman nose guard Andy Grubb and sophomore nose guard Robert Haley are young players looking to gain experience.
QUOTING COACH MEYER: "This is a talented group of players. They need to play up to their potential each week. We are counting on them to be the strength of our defense. Hicks, Wingrove, and Glantzis have the ability to be all-conference players. Owchar needs to be- come a playmaker, and we need to develop some depth here as well."
LINEBACKERS
Senior weak side linebacker Khary Campbell led the team in tackles with 95. He had his first career interception against Ohio, and promptly returned it for a 28-yard TD. Campbell has made 26 starts in his ca- reer. Junior middle linebacker Chris Haneline had 48 tackles, eight TFL's, an interception and four pass deflections. He started two games last year and is expected to move into the starting lineup.
Senior strong side linebacker Garry Fisher had 44 tackles, eight TFL 's and 1.5 sacks. He started 10 games last season. Junior Geno Burden is pushing Fisher for playing time. He had 19 tackles and two pass deflections.
Sophomore Mitch Hewitt had 16 tackles in three games before suf- fering a knee injury against Temple. Junior Marcus Allen posted 22 tackles, including two for a loss. Redshirt freshman Jovon Burkes is a prospect with a bright future.
QUOTING COACH MEYER:"We have some athleticism in our group of linebackers. We are not very big, but we run well. Campbell can be an All-MAC player and Haneline could develop into one as well. The SAM 'backer position will be a competition between Fisher and Burden. Burkes, Hewitt and Allen all will help us this fall."
DEFENSIVE BACKS
All four starters return for the Falcons. Senior strong safety Chad Long led the team in tackles in 1999,and finished second on last year's squad with 88 stops. He has started 32 consecutive games dating to his freshman campaign. Senior free safety Sergio Lund had 70 tack- les and finished third on the team in that category. He also had six stops for a loss,one sack,four pass deflections and two blocked kicks.
Senior Karl Rose has started 17 games in his career and has played all four positions. Rose had 38 tackles, two sacks, an interception, four pass deflections, a forced fumble and fumble recovery and a blocked kick. Junior Jerry Wagner had seven tackles and will play free safety.
Sophomore cornerback Janssen Patton was second in the MAC and led the Falcons with four interceptions. His season total was the high- est for a Falcon since Tony Everhart had five for BGSU in 1994. Sopho- more cornerback Michael Malone started the last 10 games and had 45 tackles, five pass deflections and a fumble recovery. Sophomore Jason Morton gives the Falcons a third outstanding cornerback. He had 14 tackles as a freshman. Redshirt freshman Anthony Hicks also figures in the mix.
QUOTING COACH MEYER:"Janssen Patton, before he leaves Bowling Green, should be the top corner in the MAC. He is a tremen- dous talent. Malone and Morton also have the ability, they just need more confidence as corners. Our safeties have a lot of experience. I expect them to be the most physical hitters on the team."
SPECIAL TEAMS
Junior Pat Fleming had the third-best net punting average in the MAC at 35.4 yards per kick.He averaged 40 yards per punt overall. He also handled kickoff duties last season. Fleming and Sahm also have expe- rience as the team 's holder.
Sophomore Phillip Messer, redshirt freshman Sean Suisham and true freshman Nate Fry will battle for the kicking spot. Junior college transfer Joe Gutierez will look to take over at long snapper for the departed Ryan Diepenbrock, who signed with the Buffalo Bills.
Junior Robert Redd was the team 's top punt returner in 1998 and 1999, while senior Chad Long garnered that honor in 2000. Junior Joe Alls led the team in kickoff returns (19.5) and averaged a team- best 13.7 yards per punt last season. Senior David Bautista and jun- ior Darnell Bond-Awls also could fit into the mix.
QUOTING COACH MEYER: "We place a premium on our special teams. We have installed several new schemes and we have some new personnel in some key positions. This phase of the game will receive significant time and effort." "Pat Fleming should be one of the better punters in the Mid-American Conference."
