COACH AND PROGRAM
Everybody loves a winner, but for a while the Bowling Green football program forgot what it felt like to succeed.
Urban Meyer helped restore Falcon pride last fall by providing a firm push in the right direction. The result was an 8-3 record, including 5-3 in the MAC, to end six straight losing seasons at the Ohio campus. The Falcons capped off the year by spanking their rival down the road, Toledo, 56-21.
The second-year head coach quickly points out he had a lot of help in the team bouncing back from a 2-9 campaign in 2000 that cost Gary Blackney his job. Eighteen returning starters, a good portion of them seniors, helped speed up the rebuilding process.
"We had an excellent senior class," said Meyer, who lost nine starters from the 14-senior group he inherited. Six of those loses were on the first-team defense.
The sudden impact Meyer brought to the program was great, but he didn’t spend the off-season being patted on the back. The former Notre Dame assistant knows there is plenty of work to do as BGU moves into the MAC West, after five years in the East, and looks to continue its winning ways.
"I’m in it for the long haul," the 2001 MAC Coach of the Year said. "We’re a very young program, but we want to win, and the players expect to win."
The Falcons should expect to score some points, with two experienced quarterbacks returning along with seven other offensive starters.
The passing game already has one of the conference’s premier receivers in senior Robert Redd (5-10, 195). He sat out the 2000 season after transferring from Louisville, but returned with a vengeance last fall, earning first-team All-MAC honors after catching a school-record 72 passes for 884 yards and nine touchdowns.
"The spring was a great battle," Meyer said. "We’ll open it up again in August."
On defense, there are a lot more holes to fill with only four starters back from a unit that was one of the best in the conference a year ago.
BGU led the MAC in total defense (319.5 yards per game), run defense (86.3), turnover margin (1.55), fumble recoveries (17) and interceptions (18). Nationally, the Falcons were ranked fourth against the run and second in rushing touchdowns allowed with five. They held eight opponents under 100 yards rushing in a game, including Marshall, Toledo and Missouri.
QUARTERBACKS
The Falcons could be in a win-win situation with whoever wins the quarterback battle between Sahm and Harris.
Sahm, who has 24 career starts, opened the 2001 season as the No. 1 guy and went on to start in six of the 10 games he played. The Indianapolis native threw for 1,326 yards and 11 touchdowns while being intercepted 10 times. BGU went 4-2 when Sahm started.
"Andy’s a good thrower and a smart leader," Meyer said.
Harris started five times, and the Falcons went 4-1 in those games. The junior is more mobile than Sahm -- he led the team in rushing with 605 yards and eight touchdowns. Harris also threw for 1,022 yards and nine touchdowns to go with three interceptions.
"[Harris is] more of a threat to get out of the pocket and run," Meyer said.
So which one would the coach rather have running his one-back offense? He’s not saying, but Meyer plans to use the guy "who gives us the best chance to win," which means both could see playing time this year.
Sahm appeared sharper in the spring game, completing 13-of-19 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Harris was 11-of-19 for 109 yards and one touchdown, with two interceptions.
With sophomore quarterback/receiver Cole Magner (6-2, 180) the only other signal caller on the roster, the Falcons brought in three athletic freshmen.
Omar Jacobs (6-4, 215) threw for 2,670 yards and 28 touchdowns his senior season at Atlantic Community High in Delray Beach, Fla. He had more than 1,000 yards passing during the postseason and runs the 40 in 4.59 seconds. He was also selected second-team All-Florida
Van Johnson (6-1, 180) threw for 800 yards and nine touchdowns, while rushing for three more, at Creekside High in Union City, Ga., last fall. Will Myles (5-11, 185) was an all-state pick in Illinois after throwing for 1,492 yards and 12 touchdowns his senior season at St. Rita High in Chicago. He also rushed for 408 yards and five scores
RUNNING BACKS
This is one unit Meyer expects more from despite the team’s 166.1 rushing yards per game last season, which ranked sixth in the MAC.
"[The running game] was a disappointment last year," the coach said.
One of the players who needs to step up is senior tailback Joe Alls (5-10, 190). In 10 games, including eight starts, he rushed for 553 yards and three touchdowns on 129 carries.
"Joe Alls has the ability to be a good player, but he has to improve," Meyer said.
Alls had two 100-yard rushing performances last year, against Missouri (107) and Marshall (107). He averaged 93.7 all-purpose yards per game, while also returning kicks.
Senior Godfrey Lewis (5-9, 190) was listed second on the depth chart heading into the spring. The fifth-year player, who played in only two games during the 2000 season due to injury, carried the ball 23 times for 60 yards last year. In 1999, he ran for 500 yards on 132 carries and scored a team-high six touchdowns.
The Falcons’ other options are red-shirt freshmen B.J. Lane (5-10, 195) and Marlon Burt (5-11, 195), plus sophomore Todd DiBacco (6-1, 225), who played last year. Lane led all of the running backs in the spring game with 79 yards on 18 carries.
The freshman class includes two in-state running backs, P.J. Pope (5-9, 210) and Raishaun Stover (5-10, 190), who could push for playing time.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
The Falcons are set at one receiver spot with Redd back for his senior season, but they need to find three new starters in a four-receiver offense.
Last year’s second and third receivers are gone, so Meyer spent the spring looking for replacements.
Red-shirt freshman Charles Sharon (6-1, 165) was one of the players who used the opportunity to impress his coach. Sharon was a second-team all-state selection his senior season at Palatka High in Florida, and could be the Falcons’ next receiving star.
Magner did a little of everything last year, but the Falcons would like him to become a starter at receiver. He caught 13 passes for 127 yards as a freshman.
Red-shirt freshman Steve Sanders (6-3, 180) played well on the scout team last year and appears ready for an expanded role. He was also a three-sport star at East High in Cleveland and a second-team all-state football player.
Sophomore James Hawkins (6-1, 215) appeared in eight games last year, starting three, and had eight catches for 94 yards. Derrick Lett (6-0, 171) and John Nicholson (5-9, 170) are also looking to play after red-shirting last season.
Two freshmen from Ohio, Brandon Jones (6-0, 170) of Lincoln High and Reggie Corner (5-10, 165) of McKinley High, along with Shreveport, La. native Kenneth Brantley (5-11, 180) of Evangel Christian, could make an instant impact.
Starting tight end D’Monn Baker had eight receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown in 2001, but this is another area the Falcons want more production from. Junior Craig Jarrett (6-2, 250), red-shirt freshman Michael Hunter (6-4, 245) and incoming freshman Steve Navarro (6-2, 230) from Carl Sandburg High in Illinois are also on the depth chart.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The line has three starters back and one part-timer on the most improved area of the team. In 2000, the Falcons allowed 55 sacks, but reduced that number to 23 last year.
Senior Jon Mazur (6-2, 290) has started 22 straight games and is considered one of the best centers in the MAC. Sophomore left guard Scott Mruczkowski (6-4, 300) moved into the lineup last year and never left, while senior left tackle Dennis Wendel (6-7, 315) also played every game on an offense that averaged 383.1 yards per game.
Senior right guard Greg Kupke (6-3, 290) started five times in 11 appearances, earning offensive MVP honors against Northwestern.
The one opening on the line is at right tackle and junior James Williams (6-5, 295) is the frontrunner, but the spot is not being handed to him. Pasadena Community College transfer Vardan Mkhitarian (6-3, 295), a junior, and sophomore Andrew Hart (6-5, 295) are pushing him.
There is depth and size on the line with red-shirt freshman Rob Warren (6-6, 285) at tackle, sophomore Andy Wenstrup (6-5, 290) and junior Ryan Lucas (6-4, 295) at guard, and junior center Jesus Yanez (6-3, 295). Yanez also transferred from PCC.
Warren (knee) and Mazur were both injured during spring workouts, and red-shirt freshman Jonathan Culp (6-6, 245) broke his arm, but all three are expected back in August.
Monster Derrick Markray (6-5, 334), from Cody High in Detroit, is one of three freshmen Meyer recruited.
KICKERS
The Falcons have two kickers fighting for the job -- incumbent Shaun Suisham (6-0, 180) and red-shirt freshman Nate Fry (5-10, 200).
Suisham, a sophomore from Wallaceburg, Ont., converted 44-of-45 extra points last year, but made only 3-of-8 field goals, with a long of 28 yards, to finish with 53 points.
Fry played high school football down the road at Findlay High School and kicked 30- and 43-yard field goals in the spring game.
A decision on a kicker won’t be made until after August workouts.
DEFENSIVE LINE
No area took a bigger hit from last season than the defensive line. One starter returns on the four-man line, and the Falcons need some of their younger players to step up here.
Senior defensive tackle Alex Glantzis (6-4, 280) had 33 tackles and one interception, which he returned 16 yards for a touchdown, in 11 starts. Three new starters will line up with him in senior nose guard D.J. Owchar (6-3, 275), senior defensive end Will Teague (6-5, 240) and red-shirt freshman end Mitchell Crossley (6-3, 240).
The two seniors played some last year, but Crossley is one of the new guys Meyer is hoping can produce. Red-shirt freshmen Mike Thaler (6-1, 290) and Pascal Kokke (6-5, 230) and sophomore Ron Blue (6-3, 245) are also being counted on to help out.
Inside, the Falcons are looking to sophomore Andy Grubb (6-4, 270) and junior Robert Haley (6-4, 275) to provide depth and be part of the rotation.
"We need to find someone to step up," Meyer said. "And we need pass rushers."
Four freshmen linemen are part of the recruiting class and two of them were first-team all-state players.
In the state, the Falcons signed Matt Leininger (6-3, 260) from Liberty Central High in Napoleon after he posted a 54-tackle season. Liberty went 48-5 during Leininger’s stay and won four league titles and three district championships.
The other freshman, Dexter Wallace (6-3, 285), hails from Williston High in Florida. He had 67 tackles, nine sacks and forced four fumbles his senior season.
LINEBACKERS
Senior Chris Haneline (6-1, 225) has proven he can get the job done on and off the field. The middle linebacker made 78 tackles and had five sacks in 11 starts, plus he received the President’s Award for academic and athletic excellence.
Now, the Falcons need to find a pair of outside linebackers to play with him. Junior Mitch Hewitt (6-1, 210) is expected to line up on one side and sophomore Jovon Burkes (6-1, 220) is the top candidate on the other side.
Senior Marcus Allen (6-1, 212) has waited for a chance to play, and provides depth and experience, as does sophomore Daniel Sayles (5-11, 185). Behind Haneline, junior Luis Llamas (6-5, 245) figures to see some action, He red-shirted last season after transferring from Grossmont Junior College in San Diego, where he earned JC All-American honors.
One of the Falcons’ top recruits, freshman Jason Kaminski (6-3, 220), got a head start on his college career by enrolling in class in January and took part in spring practice. He spent last fall at Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy after leading his high school to two state titles at C.D. Hylton High in Dale City, Va.
Two other additions are JUCO transfer Jeff Runnells ( 6-3, 210), who was a JC All-American at PCC, and all-state freshmen Ted Piepkow (6-0, 205) from Michigan.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
One of the MAC’s best cornerbacks, junior Janssen Patton (6-0, 180), returns to the fold along with sophomore Keon Newson (6-0, 170), who started five games a year ago.
Patton, a second-team All-MAC selection, had four interceptions, 13 pass deflections and 40 tackles for BGU last year after earning a starting job in his freshman season.
"He’s the best cornerback in the conference," Meyer said.
Newson stepped in to start the final five games opposite Patton last year and finished with 35 tackles and one interception. Backing them up are senior Emmanuel Hendrix (5-10, 180) and junior Michael Malone (5-10, 185), who also plays safety.
At safety, junior Jason Morton (6-0, 180) and senior Jerry Wagner (5-11, 200) are the frontrunners for strong safety and free safety, respectively.
The secondary is loaded with speed, and Meyer thinks he has five quality defensive backs with the two starting corners, Morton, Malone and sophomore safety T.J. Carswell (6-1, 185). Malone and Morton are seasoned players who combined for 42 tackles last season.
Red-shirt freshman Mike Crumpler (5-11, 180) and Carswell (6-1, 185) add depth at the safety spots.
Freshmen Tim Arnold (5-9, 196), Jelani Jordan (5-10, 175) and Terrill Mayberry (5-11, 170) come into the program after finishing highly decorated high school careers.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The return game is solid with Redd, Alls and Patton back.
Redd averaged 11 yards per punt return, which was second in the MAC, and had one touchdown.
All three players handled kick returns, with Alls leading the group with 46 returns for 990 yards (21.5 yards per return). Patton brought back one of his 19 returns for a touchdown.
Senior long-snapper Joe Gutierrez (6-3, 235) returns for his second season and Fleming is the holder again.
RECRUITING CLASS
Meyer used to recruit in Georgia and Florida when he worked at Notre Dame and he didn’t hesitate to dip into those areas for players this year. Seven of BGU’s 26 recruits are from those two states, and overall the Falcons landed players from 10 states.
Meyer wanted more athletes and winners, and that’s what he got. A majority of the recruits played more than one sport in high school and come from winning programs. Eighteen players participated in state playoff games as seniors.
A winning season and the coaching staff’s ability to sell the program has helped BGU restock its team and keep the rebuilding process heading the right direction.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
Meyer turned out to be a savior for the Falcons last season, but don’t expect him to be a miracle worker again. Forty-nine of the 82 scholarship players heading into August workouts were recruited by the current coaching staff, which means BGU is a little greener this year.
The strength of the team will be on the offensive end for a change, and the unit should be in good shape with either Harris or Sahm calling the shots. That’s good news, because the BGU defense might need all the help it can get trying to replace seven starters. The secondary should at least be solid heading into the season.
A seasoned special teams unit should also take some pressure off the defense, which has carried BGU the last two years.
Meyer has a solid grasp on the program and has it heading in the right direction, but the Falcons might have to take a few steps back before they move on to bigger and better things.
Moving into the MAC West should go smoothly and BGU can hold its own among the division’s top teams.
The winning attitude is here, but some of the Falcons need time to grow into their new roles. At least a .500 season is likely, and a crack at the MAC West title is not out of the question.
The hardest part of the season for BGU to get through will come at the end with four of its final five games on the road against MAC opponents. That stretch could decide if the Falcons are contenders or pretenders this year.
