CNNSI.com - 2000 College Football Preview - CNNSI.com's Bowling Green preview

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Bowling Green Falcons

Rebuilding job won't be easy

College Football: The New Century

'99: 5-6, 3-5 MAC

Coach

Gary Blackney (ninth season, 58-41-2)

Key offensive players

Kurt Gerling, WR, Jr.
Led the team with 53 receptions for 775 yards in 1999.

Andy Sahm, QB, So.
Started the last seven games in 1999; sixth in MAC passing efficiency at 122.0.

Rob Fehrman, OL, Sr.
Has started 33 games in his career.

Joe Alls, RB, So.
Had a team-high 592 rushing yards as a freshman.

Key defensive players

Brandon Hicks, NG, Sr.
Team defensive co-MVP in 1999 with 53 tackles.

Ivan Maisel's Player of the Century: Brian McClure, QB, 1982-85
"Three-time MAC Offensive Player of the Year led the Falcons to an 11-0 regular season in his senior year."

Brightest moment: Completed the only perfect season in school history on Nov. 21, 1959 with a 13-9 win over Ohio University. Bowling Green was voted the college division national champions by UPI and the Washington Touchdown Club.

Lowest Moment: The Falcons played host to Central Michigan on Nov. 12, 1994 with the winner of the game taking the MAC title and earning a trip to the Las Vegas Bowl. CMU's punter rambled 73 yards on a fake punt to score a late touchdown. BGSU lost, 36-33, and hasn't had a winning season since.

Key newcomer

Doug Kingsbury, FB, Jr.
Will start at fullback after playing at Grand Rapids (Mich.) Community College.

Throwback player

Coach Gary Blackney calls senior defensive end D.J. Durkin "the heart and soul of our team."

21st century player

Junior wideout Kurt Gerling can do it all.

Fast fact

The Falcons haven't had a winning season in their last five.

Outlook

Bowling Green's march back to the top is going to be a tough one. The offensive line must be rebuilt and the running game is expected to be average again. The defense will be strong up front, but must improve in the backfield. A positive is the schedule, which starts with a money game against Michigan. Then Bowling Green plays two non-conference games that are winnable, followed by two MAC games against Buffalo and Kent State. A good start could lead to a winning record, but it will be difficult.

--Stan Crawley