13 Teams.13 Days: Bowling Green Falcons Team Preview
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About The Falcons
Five games into his first season at Bowling Green, a bowl game was the farthest thing from Dave Clawson's mind.
Bowling Green had played close against Missouri, Marshall and Ohio, but lost the three games by a combined 21 points. Bowling Green had played not so close against Boise State, losing by 35 points. The lone win in the first five games came in the opener against Troy.
"It was interesting because there were a lot of times where we could have packed it in," defensive coordinator Mike Elko said. "We let the lead go against Missouri in the fourth quarter. That went from a game where we could have made some big-time headlines to heartbreak. To our kids' credit, they hung with it."
By the end of the season, Bowling Green's first five opponents had all qualified for bowls. And so had the Falcons, who won six of their final seven to earn a berth in the Humanitarian Bowl.
"There's appreciation for what can happen when you do things right," Bowling Green offensive coordinator Warren Ruggiero said. "We got things going off on the right foot last year."
"We got ourselves in some shootouts where we would have liked to have played better on defense," Elko said. "The one thing I thought we did a lot of last year was we made stops when we needed to. We gave ourselves chances to get back into some of those games."
Because of heavy graduation losses, the Falcons had plenty of work to do during the spring. The sessions were productive -- the Bowling Green coaches found answers to many of the more important questions.
"We got a lot done," Ruggiero said. "We're certainly young. We got the younger guys a lot of work in our base offense. We didn't have any major injuries. We were certainly pleased coming out of it."
Elko, who joined the Bowling Green staff after three successful seasons at Hofstra, has to replace a mass of starters for the second consecutive year. In 2009, Bowling Green's defense had eight new starters. This year, he needs to find seven.
Spring was a critical time for Elko's defense, just as it was for Ruggiero's unit.
"It went well," Elko said. "As a coaching staff, we certainly had to earn our paycheck a little bit. [There were] a lot of new faces in new places. I think the kids took to the system well. Second year in it made it a little bit easier."
Elko worked with Clawson at Richmond. There is familiarity among the coaches, and it continues to grow each day they are together.
"It was a very easy transition into the second year," Elko said.
QUARTERBACKS
All the Falcons have to do is replace a guy who threw for 10,000 yards and 70 touchdowns during his career. Tyler Sheehan saved his best for last, throwing for 4,051 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2009. He threw only seven interceptions.
"We went into the spring with four guys competing for the job," Ruggiero said.
Because they didn't know who was going to be the starter, the coaches couldn't load up one guy with reps on the first string. So, they created a fair mix of plays for each of the quarterbacks.
"We kept things pretty simple and let it kind of play out," Ruggiero said.
Redshirt freshman Matt Schilz (6-2, 184) led at the end of the spring.
"He throws the ball very well," Ruggiero said. "He's got enough athleticism. He's picked up our offense. I think he got comfortable with things."
Another redshirt freshman, Kellen Pagel (6-3, 201), will push Schilz during training camp and into the season.
"Kellen has some decent athletic ability," Ruggiero said. "Maybe a little more, but not much [than the others]."
The only quarterback with experience is sophomore Aaron Pankratz (6-6, 221). He is more of a traditional drop-back passer than Schilz or Pagel. He hit 5-of-13 passes in 2009 against Boise State.
"He certainly throws the ball well," Ruggiero said.
RUNNING BACKS
The new quarterback will have a safety valve at tailback. Senior Willie Jeter (5-8, 170) ran for 770 yards and nine touchdowns in 2009.
"We're going to have to run the ball well," Ruggiero said. "Willie's got a big job ahead of him, and we've got to keep him healthy. He'll certainly be one of the leaders on the offense. He did a nice job during the spring."
Jeter also caught 42 passes for 407 yards and another score. He was fourth on the team in receptions.
"He has a lot of shake and has very good hands," Ruggiero said. "We try to get him involved in the passing game and in the screen game as much as possible."
Sophomore John Pettigrew (5-10, 183) and redshirt freshman Erique Geiger (5-9, 203) are competing for the backup job. Pettigrew had seven car-ries in 2009 for 24 yards.
RECEIVERS
Nobody has ever caught passes like Freddie Barnes. Not at Bowling Green. Not anywhere.
Barnes destroyed the Football Bowl Subdivision reception record with 155 grabs last season. The previous record was 142. In the Humanitarian Bowl, Barnes caught 17 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns.
"I think he was a good example for the younger kids," Ruggiero said.
Going into the 2009 season, Bowling Green lost four of its top six receivers, forcing Barnes to become a super go-to guy.
Two of the players lost before last season are back and ready to go. Seniors Tyron Pronty (6-0, 189) and Calvin Wiley (5-11, 201) are projected starters.
Pronty was off to a good start in 2009, catching six passes against Troy. But he suffered a foot injury against the Trojans and was lost for the season.
"It's nice to have those guys back," Ruggiero said. "You would hope they are both going to go play and be ready to go."
The leading returning receiver is junior Adrian Hodges (5-11, 191), who caught 46 passes for 417 yards and two scores in 2009.
"This spring, he really did a nice job," Ruggiero said.
Junior Kamar Jordan (6-3, 189) redshirted in 2009.
"He's a very talented kid who we are hoping will continue to pick up the system and make a splash," Ruggiero said.
Junior Justus Jones (6-2, 198) caught 13 passes for 143 yards last season.
"He put in a nice, solid performance for us last year," Ruggiero said. "He's getting better."
Junior Ray Hutson (6-2, 198) had 28 grabs for 289 yards and two touchdowns. He missed the spring with an injury but is expected back.
At tight end, fifth-year senior Nick Rieke (6-4, 257) is competing with redshirt freshman Alex Bayer (6-4, 228).
"Those two guys will certainly play their share of football this year," Ruggiero said. "Tight end is a very big position in our offense. There is a fair amount of time when we actually have two on the field."
OFFENSIVE LINE
The Falcons return two starters from a unit that helped produce 30 or more points in eight games last season.
One of the returning starters is senior Tyler Donahue (6-6, 300).
"He's a good player and did a nice job for us last year," Ruggiero said. "We have a lot of new faces on offense. He's one of three guys who has his job."
Sophomore Blaec Walker (6-6, 300) is the leader at left tackle. He filled in for a handful of games during the 2009 season.
"He had some solid playing experience for us," Ruggiero said.
The backup spots at tackle might be filled by guards and incoming freshmen.
The starting right guard will be sophomore Chip Robinson (6-6, 327). He played some as a backup in 2009.
Converted defensive lineman Nick Torresso (6-2, 283) a senior, is competing for the other guard spot with junior Scott Lewis (6-2, 294). Lewis played four games at left guard in 2009.
The other returning starter is junior center Ben Bojicic (6-5, 294), who enters his third year in the middle of the line.
"He's a talented kid," Ruggiero said. "He needs to have a big year for us. Up front, it's going to be interesting. He's going to have to lead that unit. We lost some very good players to graduation."
DEFENSIVE LINE
The least of defensive coordinator Mike Elko's worries are up front, where three starters are back.
The best of bunch is senior end Angelo Magnone (6-3, 252), who led the line with 43 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2009.
"He's a tough kid," Elko said. "He comes from the Steubenville program in Ohio, which is a tremendous high school program. He does a lot of what we ask him to do. He's a very physical player. He does a good job rushing the passer. We're hoping he has a tremendous senior year and really elevates his game."
The other end spot will be filled by fifth-year senior Darius Smith (6-3, 230), who made 36 tackles in 2009.
"He played quite a bit as our third end last year," Elko said.
The backups at end include redshirt freshmen Ted Ouellet (6-3, 240), Dylan Farrington (6-5, 216) and Ronnie Goble (6-3, 226), plus true freshman Bryan Thomas (6-3, 230).
"Farrington is probably the most talented of the nonstarters," Elko said. "He's just got to do some stuff this summer to make sure he's around."
Both starters return at tackle. Junior Kevin Alvarado (6-2, 274) had 28 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season.
"Alvarado was a kid we thought started to become a really good player as the year went on," Elko said. "Early in the year, our D-line struggled, and I think he would admit he struggled a bit. We think he's going to be one of the better defensive tackles in the conference this year. Hopefully, he continues to grow."
Sophomore Chris Jones (6-2, 274) started six games as a true freshman.
"He had a tremendous spring, maybe a little bit better than Kevin did," Elko said. "He played against [Mike] Iupati from Idaho, who was a first-round draft pick, and held up in the bowl game, which we thought was impressive. He has a world of potential."
Backing up Alvarado and Jones at tackle is sophomore Jordan Roussos (6-4, 290), who started in the Humanitarian Bowl in place of Alvarado.
"He's put on a lot of good weight and had a really good offseason in the weight room," Elko said. "He was a kid who came in as a 260-pound defensive end. He's got a tremendous upside, and he'll play an awful lot. We look at him as a kid we have to get on the field."
The fourth tackle is redshirt freshman Jairus Campbell (6-5, 278).
LINEBACKERS
The top three tacklers and the two leaders in sacks from a year ago have departed.
"All new," Elko said. "Second year in a row. It's easier than it was last year. Last year, we had kids who were learning to start for the first time and learning a new defense. This year, at least they know the defense. Now, they've got to learn how to start.
"We have a more athletic group. I think we have a chance to be a better group. It's just going to be a matter of making sure when the lights come on that these kids can do it."
Fifth-year senior Eugene Fells (6-1, 228) will fill one outside linebacker spot. Fells had 44 tackles, including a sack, in 2009. He's got the right nickname -- his coaches and teammates call him "Champ."
"He's the best of the group, the most experienced of the group," Elko said. "He's a kid who may have even earned a starting role last year. He got hurt five days into training camp and that injury lasted throughout the duration of camp."
Sophomore Dwayne Woods, Jr. (6-1, 217) will start at middle linebacker.
"He played a decent amount last year," Elko said. "We're expecting good things from him. He has tremendous potential. Probably the best potential of anyone we've had at linebacker since we've been here."
Opposite Fells on the outside will be senior Calvin Marshall (5-11, 205).
The top reserve at linebacker is redshirt freshman Paul Swan (6-1, 207). Others in the mix include junior Jason Rice (5-11, 195) and fifth-year senior Ryan Crow (6-1, 213). Rice moved to linebacker from running back.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Elko will be looking for more turnovers from his secondary. The Falcons ranked 87th nationally with just nine interceptions in 2009. Four of those came from departed starter Roger Williams.
The lone returning starter is junior cornerback Adrien Spencer (6-0, 185).
"The kids we have coming back played a little bit early last year," Elko said. "[Spencer] started as a true sophomore and got a little bit of baptism under fire. He really dedicated himself this offseason. Hopefully, he becomes a leader at the cornerback position."
The other likely starter is fifth-year senior Rob Lorenzi (5-8, 168), who played in six games last season. The junior college transfer suffered a broken foot that limited his time.
"He's very quick, very good cover skills," Elko said.
The top reserves at cornerback are redshirt freshmen Cameron Truss (5-11, 186) and Aunre' Davis (5-10, 171).
"There will be some youngsters playing this year, that's for sure," Elko said.
The most experienced safety is junior Keith Morgan (6-0, 206), who was seventh on the team with 68 tackles.
"Certainly, he's a kid who is familiar with playing football in the MAC," Elko said. "He had a very good spring."
The other starting safety will be junior Jovan Leacock (5-10, 205). Leacock came to Bowling Green as a walk-on wide receiver from College of the Canyons.
"We watched him go through winter workouts, and we had a major hole at safety," Elko said. "We asked him to go over. He had never played safety before. He took to it."
Backup safeties include sophomores Lane Robilotto (6-1, 187) and Jonathan Davis (5-11, 182).
SPECIAL TEAMS
Barnes was more than a standout receiver. He was also the team's top returner. He'll need to be replaced on punts.
Even with Barnes, the team was just 70th nationally in punt returns. That's a number Clawson wants to see improved. On kickoff returns, the team was even worse (103).
The Falcons are also looking to shore up their coverage units after finishing 94th in net punting and 88th in kickoff coverage.
KICKERS
Sophomore Jerry Phillips (6-1, 206) returns after hitting 8-of-13 field goals and all 17 extra points in 2009. His long field goal was from 44 yards.
Competing with Phillips for playing time will be redshirt freshman Matt Oczypok (5-11, 168) and sophomore Stephen Stein (6-0, 180).
PUNTERS
Jerry Phillips will be the first shot to replace departed Nick Iovenelli, who averaged 37 yards last season.
Pagel, who is competing for the starting quarterback job, is also a candidate at punter.
NEWCOMERS
Ruggiero will be looking for and expecting help at receiver from a pair of newcomers. Redshirt freshman Jordan Hopgood (6-0, 195) and Hudson Valley Community College transfer Eugene Cooper (5-10, 178) will have a chance to move into the rotation.
"They got a lot of reps in the spring," Ruggiero said.
On the defensive line, Elko will look to freshman Bryan Thomas to provide depth at end. Thomas racked up 17 sacks his senior year at Washington (Pa.) High School.
In the secondary, former Columbus Brookhaven standout Rylan Ward (5-11, 195) and Jerry "Booboo" Gates (5-11, 210) will get long looks.
"We're going to be counting on the true freshmen coming in to add depth at safety," Elko said. "They're all going to get a try."
