2008 Bowling Green Falcons Preview

The Falcons created their own tough act to follow by winning a division co-championship last year, posting an 8–5 record and going to their third bowl in five years. There’s no sneaking up on anyone anymore. Coach Gregg Brandon has eight starters back on offense, where he has done his best work since joining the Bowling Green staff as Urban Meyer’s offensive coordinator. The Falcons will have to produce points in bunches to match their rep.

Two Minute Drill

A Quick Look at the Falcons

The Falcons have a rugged first month, with road games against Pittsburgh, Boise State and Wyoming plus a home date against Minnesota before they can make a run at a second straight East Division crown. The bulk of last year’s 8–5 team returns, making Bowling Green one of the teams to beat in the East. That’s a stark contrast to a year ago when they were expected to finish near the basement and ended up 6–2 in the league. The continued maturation of quarterback Tyler Sheehan is crucial. Sheehan attempted 476 passes in 2007, the second-highest single-season total in school history. There is enough experience and depth at receiver and running back to light up the scoreboard. The Falcons need rapid development of the new pieces along the offensive line, a vital element in Sheehan’s ability to function with protection. Improvement on the defensive side is expected, since eight starters return. Playmaking at critical times by the defense is vital in any title plans in the MAC East. Things will unravel for the Falcons if there is an injury to Sheehan or wide receiver Freddie Barnes, or if the early schedule takes a big toll on the psyche. This team has the personnel to win its division, challenge for the overall MAC title, and return to the bowl circuit.

There is equal wealth on the defensive side, with eight of the top nine tacklers from 2007 back. The MAC’s third-best secondary, at least statistically, returns intact. Just to push the expectations higher, Brandon has both of his specialists back.

The schedule provides its stiffest tests early, with trips to Pittsburgh, Boise State and Wyoming and a home date with Minnesota. Some success in that stretch could set the Falcons up for a solid run at another MAC East title.

Quarterbacks

Tyler Sheehan returns with a full season of experience under his belt. Sheehan led Bowling Green to an overtime win at Minnesota in his first start, then settled into the lead role in a hurry, throwing 23 touchdown passes and passing for 3,264 yards. Sheehan had a dozen games with 200 or more passing yards, and eight multiple-touchdown contests. Junior college transfer Andrew Beam, along with redshirt freshman Nate Brown, provide the backup for Sheehan.

Running backs

The biggest issue here is how to spread the touches. The top three rushers from ’07 — Anthony Turner, Willie Geter and Chris Bullock — are all good enough to start. They combined for 1,435 rushing yards in 2007. Turner is a former quarterback who proved to be too athletic to keep off the field, while Geter is a jitterbug who averaged more than six yards per carry. Bullock has more power than his counterparts, and if Eric Ransom returns healthy after a knee injury, the position gets deeper.

Receivers

When the Falcons open at Pitt, the players responsible for 300 of the team’s 332 receptions in 2007 will be on hand. This group is led by Freddie Barnes, a former quarterback who had 82 receptions for 962 yards and nine touchdowns last year. The sure-handed Corey Partridge missed five games in 2007 and still finished second on the team in receptions and receiving yards. Senior Marques Parks, junior Chris Wright and junior Tyrone Pronty provide experience and depth.

Offensive linemen

This group was solid a year ago, allowing 32 sacks in 13 games, but graduation losses demand that this area receives special attention during fall camp. Bowling Green has to build around Brandon Curtis and Shane Steffy, the returning regulars. Tyler Donahue, Jeff Fink, Aaron Kent and Brady Minturn all saw action in 2007 and need to quickly sort out their places to create some new chemistry.

Defensive linemen

The majority of the bulk up front returns with eight players who saw significant action in 2007. The leader of the group is Diyral Briggs, a first-team All-MAC selection who finished with five sacks. Jacob Hardwick and Michael Ream came on strong late last season, and Orlando Barrow, Angelo Magnone, Adrian Baker, Joe Schaefer and Nick Torresso give Bowling Green enough quality players to make hockey-style personnel changes. Nick Davis returns from injury to add more depth.

Linebackers

After losing only one of its leaders from 2007, this group should give the Falcons a reason to flex their muscles. They’ve been a tad undersized in the past, but made up for that with relentless pursuit and gang-tackling. Erique Dozier made a team-best 112 tackles a year ago, and John Haneline added 96 despite missing four games with a foot injury. The third linebacker spot should go to converted safety Jarrett Sanderson.

Defensive backs

The Falcons return starters to the four secondary positions, so one of the team’s strengths from a year ago should be even better this fall. Antonio Smith earned third-team All-MAC honors, while P.J. Mahone was second-team All-MAC with a conference-best seven interceptions to go with his 90 tackles. Jahmal Brown and Kenny Lewis also started 13 times and were among the team leaders in tackles.

Specialists

A glaring weakness in the past, this area stabilized last year with the arrival of kicker Sinisa Vrvilo and punter Nick Iovinelli. The kicking game should evolve into an asset with both of them returning. Vrvilo was perfect on 47 extra points, while Iovinelli averaged 38.4 yards per punt, with 12 downed inside the 20-yard line.

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