 After a slow start, Bowling Green found its stride over the second half of 2009. The Falcons won six of their final seven regular season games, including four straight to end the campaign and earn a trip to the Humanitarian Bowl. Much of the credit for the late success went to the BG offense, which scored 30 points or more in every win during the run and 42 in a 43-42 loss to Idaho in the bowl game. With the departure of quarterback Tyler Sheehan, receivers Freddie Barnes and Chris Wright, as well as five other starters, Bowling Green now faces stiff challenges in 2010.
It's hard to quantify what Sheehan and Barnes meant to the Orange and Brown, but try these few facts:
- BG finished first among MAC teams with an average of 316.2 passing yards per game. The second place team was Toledo with 278.5.
- Sheehan led the conference with 311.6 yards passing per game. Tim Hiller of Western Michigan was second with 270.8 ypg.
- Barnes paced all MAC receivers in receptions with an average of 11.92 per game. Antonio Brown of Central Michigan was second with 7.86 catches a game.
- Oh, and by the way, Barnes' 19 receiving TDs not only led the MAC, but also the entire country. His 155 receptions set a new NCAA single season record.
All that, of course, is now for the ages. Head Coach Dave Clawson will embark on his second year at the helm trying to build on eight returning starters (four on each side of the ball).
After enjoying the skills and leadership of Sheehan for three years, Bowling Green will spend time this fall sorting out the quarterback situation. Sophomore Aaron Pankratz has the most experience - one game. "You're not going to just stick a freshman quarterback in and say, 'Do what Tyler did,'" Clawson said. "Tyler was a three-year starter, and last year he had his best year. We can't put that type of burden on our quarterback this year."
Whoever ends up calling signals, he will be able to hand off to Willie Geter (5-7, 175). The senior scored nine touchdowns while picking up 705 yards on 176 carries in 2009.
"(We like) having Willie back. I think last year in the second half of the season, he became one of the best backs in the conference," Clawson said.
The second-year Falcons mentor noted Geter's toughness came to the forefront in 2009. "You look at Willie; he's small in stature, but there is not a tougher guy on our football team," Clawson said while pointing out that the diminuative Geter became a go-to guy around the goal line and excelled in protecting his QB. "I've seen him take on a 230-pound linebackers and stone 'em. He doesn't back down."
Clawson also believes the receiving corps will be better than expected. "People talk about losing Freddie (Barnes), but what gets overlooked is (that) we lost Calvin Wiley last year to injuries and Tyrone Pronty. Those two were going to have great years for us last year," Cubit said. (Having) those two back at wideout is a huge boost for our program."
Another veteran receivor option will be Adrian Hodges. The junior was second on the team with 46 receptions last year and averaged 9.1 yards per catch with two TDs.
Leading the way upfront for the Falcons are offensive linemen Ben Bejicic and Tyler Donahue. The latter started all 13 games at right tackle last year. Bojicik got 10 starts at center.
"We're going to have to run the football better. We're going to have to become more physical up front," Clawson said. "We're going to have to spread the ball around more (in the air). If we can get a quarterback to play mistake-free football and not turn the football over, I think we have enough talent at running back, wide receiver and the O-line to be a productive offense this year."
Whether it is rebuilding or reloading, the offense will be challenged - especially early - to excel. So will a defense that finished next-to-last in defending the run (194.2 ypg) last year.
"I think one of the most critical things is how much better we get up front on defense," Clawson said. "Last year we did not defend the run very well, and at times I think we got pushed around. We weren't as stout. We weren't as physical. We had to blitz too much to try to defend the run."
Senior defensive end Angelo Mangone is the leading returnee up front with 43 tackles (4.0 tfl) in 2009. Kevin Alvarado and Chris Jones are also returning starters along the defensive line.
The only other returning starter among defenders is junior cornerback Adrian Spencer. He had 43 tackles and one interception (a 64-yard return for a TD) in 13 games. Others in the defensive back picture include Keith Morgan (68 tackles), Robert Lorenzi, Lane Robilotto, Cameron Truss, Aunre Davis and Jonathan Davis.
As with quarterback on the offensive side, linebacking will see big changes in 2010. Cody Basler (85), James Schneider (84) and Jerrett Sanderson (81) led the Falcons in tackles. They must now be replaced. Among those vying for linebacking positions are Ryan Crow, Eugene Fells, Tim Moore, Calvin Marshall and Dwayne Woods.
"We're young, but we're talented," Clawson said. "One of the reasons we had two godo recruiting classes - in back-to-back years - is these guys knew they were going to have an opportunity to play early, and now that opportunity is here.
"I think we have enough veterand and enough good leadership. The older guys have to show the younger guys how it's done," he continued. "We've got to give them a ton of reps and a ton of experienece in camp so that by the time we get to September, October, November, we're no longer a young football team."
Bowling Green opens 2010 with road games at Troy (Sept. 4) and Tulsa (Sept. 11). After hosing Marshall, the Falcons travel to Michigan the following week before opening MAC play with an Oct. 2 home matchup against Buffalo at Doyt Perry Stadium.
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