Football: A Look At The Rockets' 12th Opponent - Bowling Green
8/29/2002 12:00:00 PM | Football
Written by Bowling Green Athletic Communications Office.
Aug. 29, 2002
BOWLING GREEN, OH - A position-by-position look at the Falcons:
QUARTERBACKS
Bowling Green has had a long history of outstanding quarterbacks who have given defenses across the MAC fits. For the second year in a row, senior Andy Sahm and junior Josh Harris make BGSU the deepest squad, in terms of experience, at that position in the MAC.
Both players have big-game experience under their belts. Sahm is 2-0 against Gary Pinkel-coached teams with wins over Toledo in 1999 and Missouri in 2001 as a starter. Harris brought a new dimension to the squad when he guided BGSU to wins over Northwestern and Toledo to end the 2001 season.
Harris was named the starting quarterback against Ohio a year ago, he put on an impressive display during the final three games of the season. In leading BGSU to three significant victories, Harris proved he could be one of the most versatile quarterbacks in the country. In three games, he ran for 361 yards and four TDs, threw for 826 yards and eight TDs, and caught one pass for a 14-yard TD.
Harris led the Falcons in rushing with 614 yards and eight TDs and completed 60.9 percent of his passes. He threw for 1,022 yards and connected on nine TD passes.
Senior Andy Sahm will continue to fight for the top signal-caller's job. In 31 career games at BGSU, Sahm has completed 57.5 percent of his passes and thrown for 3,904 yards and 26 TDs. He has started seven of the first eight games of the 2001 season and ranked fourth in the league in pass efficiency (126.1) and ninth in passing yards per game (132.6). He completed a career-best 61.6 percent of his passes last season.
Two true freshmen will give the Falcons an opportunity to improve the depth at the position even more. Omar Jacobs was the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel's Offensive Player of the Year after completing 63 percent of his passes and throwing for 2,670 yards and 28 TDs. An impressive specimen, Jacobs stands out with his 6-4, 215-pound frame. Will Myles was an All-State selection at Chicago's St. Rita High School. He threw for 1,492 yards and 12 TDs and rushed for 408 yards.
RUNNING BACKS
One position that has an abundance of talent is the running back spot. Seniors Joe Alls and Godfrey Lewis begin their fifth year together at BGSU and newcomers P.J. Pope, B.J. Lane and Martez Johnson make this spot the deepest for the Falcons.
With seniors Joe Alls and Godfrey Lewis in the backfield, the Falcons boast more than 2,600 career rushing yards, 16 TDs and a 4.2 yards-per-carry average. Alls was second on the team with 553 yards and three TDs last season. He boasted 100-plus-yard rushing efforts at Missouri and at Marshall. Lewis has yet to equal the success he had his first two years with the Falcons and is looking to be healthy for the first time in two years. He rushed for a career-best 753 yards as a freshman in 1998.
Redshirt freshman B.J. Lane was impressive in the spring game rushing for 77 yards on 18 carries, including a long of 24 yards. The Falcons also hope that Kentucky transfer Martez Johnson (249 yards in 2001) can be an impact performer.
True freshman P.J. Pope has emerged as the top backup in training camp. Pope rushed for 2,230 yards and 36 TDs as a senior at Wyoming High School. For his efforts, he was named Southwest Ohio Player of the Year.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Senior Robert Redd, a first-team All-MAC selection, will lead a group of young and talented pass catchers. Redd was third in the MAC in receptions (6.6) and receiving yards per game (80.4). He set a school record with 72 receptions for 884 yards and nine TDs. In addition, he finished second in the league in punt returns averaging 11.0 yards per return.
Sophomores Cole Magner and James Hawkins should step into more prominent roles this year. Magner caught 13 passes for 127 yards and Hawkins hauled in eight passes for 94 yards. Sophomore Cornelius McGrady and a group of redshirt freshmen including Steve Sanders, Charles Sharon, John Nicholson and Derrick Lett will be counted on.
Juniors D'Monn Baker and Craig Jarrett return at tight end. They will be joined by sophomore Todd DiBacco who rushed for 64 yards on 19 carries at running back as a freshman
OFFENSIVE LINE
The Falcons are bolstered by an offensive line which earned tremendous praise following the 2001 season. The group earned high marks as BGSU showed a 125-yard improvement on offense in posting the nation's top turnaround in NCAA IA.
Four of five starters return up front for the Falcons. Seniors Jon Mazur (center), Dennis Wendel (left tackle), and Greg Kupke (right guard) will lead the group along with sophomore Scott Mruczkowski (left guard). Mazur has been regarded as one of the top centers in the country.
Junior James Williams has the inside track on filling the void left by the graduation of right tackle Malcolm Robinson, but sophomore Andrew Hart looks to reclaim a starting spot he had earned prior to suffering a season-ending knee injury at Missouri in last year's season opener.
Freshman Rob Warren, junior Ryan Lucas, freshman Jonathan Culp, junior Robert Haley and sophomore Andy Wenstrup give the Falcons ample depth.
Last year, this group helped the Falcons reduce their sack total from 51 to 23 and produce a 125-yard improvement in total offense.
The tight end will play an important role in the Falcon offense and is in capable hands with the trio of junior's Craig Jarrett and D'Monn Baker and sophomore Todd DiBacco.
DEFENSIVE LINE
No group will be watched more closely for the Falcons than the defensive line. Last year, BG led the MAC in fewest rushing yards allowed (86.3) and this unit's pressure on the quarterback forced opponent signal callers into a league-high 18 interceptions.
Senior tackle Alex Glantzis is the lone returning starter from a group which allowed just 86.3 yards per game on the ground. Glantzis had 33 stops a year ago, including six for a loss. He also had an interception he returned for a TD against Toledo.
Senior D.J. Owchar, a starter in 2000, will play nose guard. He had 10 tackles and two sacks last season. Sophomore Andy Grubb (nose tackle) figured in the rotation last season as did senior Will Teague (defensive end) who has the early nod for a starting spot. Teague had 10 tackles and Grubb added eight last season.
Redshirt freshmen Mitchell Crossley (an early favorite to start at end), Mike Thaler (nose guard), Pascal Kokke (defensive end) both look to have an impact in their first season of action.
The Falcons must replace three players who signed NFL contracts. All-American nose tackle Brandon Hicks is with the Indianapolis Colts, defensive ends Chris Glantzis and Ryan Wingrove are with the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons respectively.
"You don't have too many teams that have three players sign NFL contracts from one class at defensive line," said BGSU Coach Urban Meyer. "I think we have a chance to be very good, but their is no substitution for game experience and that is an area we lack in right now."
LINEBACKERS
Senior middle linebacker Chris Haneline is the most expereinced performer on the defensive side of the ball for BGSU. Haneline had 78 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles. He also had five pass deflections and seven quarterback hurries.
"I think Chris may be one of the best middle linebackers in the MAC," said BGSU coach Urban Meyer.
Junior Mitch Hewitt has been waiting in the wings for an opportunity to start. A starter at the beginning of the 2000 season, he saw his season end two years ago due to a knee injury. He had 11 tackles in a reserve role last year.
"Mitch is an outstanding player that will fill the role that Khary Campbell played for us last year," said Meyer.
Senior Marcus Allen figures to see increased playing time after being a standout on special teams last season. He had seven tackles. Sophomore Jovon Burkes also displayed improvement this spring. He had 13 tackles last season.
Redshirt junior Luis Llamas also figures to see considerable playing time. Llamas was an All-American at Grossmont Junior College after recording 130 tackles as a sophomore
Junior transfer Jeff Runnells also figures to compete for playing time in 2002. Runnells also was a JC All-American at Pasadena City College.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
In 2001, BG finished third in the nation in turnover margin with a +1.55 ratio. A big reason for that mark was the oustanding play of a secondary which helped the Falcons lead the MAC with 18 interceptions.
A year stronger and wiser, this group is the most expereinced unit on the defensive side of the ball. Last year, the Falcons were able to pick off 18 passes thanks to an exciting group of young defensive backs. Junior Janssen Patton is a two-year starter at cornerback and second team All-MAC performer who has eight career interceptions in 19 games. He had 40 tackles last season. Sophomore Keon Newson returns at the other corner position. He started the final six games of the season and had 35 tackles and four pass deflections.
Juniors Michael Malone and Jason Morton are experienced and seasoned performers who will contribute in many ways. Malone (13 tackles) will move to strong safety, while Morton will start at nickel back.
Senior Jerry Wagner provides versatility and could provide a similar role to the one Karl Rose played (situational) in 2001. Sophomore T.J. Carswell (eight tackles) could start at free safety along with sophomore Daniel Sayles (6 tackles).
SPECIAL TEAMS
The bulk of the key performers return for the Falcons. Senior punter Pat Fleming, senior long snapper Joe Gutierrez and sophomore kicker Shaun Suisham will be counted on in key situations.
Fleming could be one of the top punters in the leage after he averaged 40.1 yards per punt and landed 20 inside the 20-yard line last season.
Suisham needs to improve on his three-for-eight performance in field goal attempts. He did set a school record by making 44 of 45 PATs, including 43 in a row. Suisham will be pushed by redshirt freshman Nate Fry who booted a 30 and 43-yard field goal in the spring game.
Senior Robert Redd is one of the top punt returners in the league. He finished second in the league averaging 11 yards per return and had a TD against Miami last season.
Senior Joe Alls led the MAC with a 26.9 yards per return average. Junior Janssen Patton also returns kicks and had a TD return against Temple last season. Redshirt freshman John Nicholson also has seen reps in training camp.
