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 A much improved running attack has been a big key to Bowling Green being more competitive this season. Last fall, the Falcons were last in FBS with 754 yards on the ground in 12 games. With the addition of freshman Anthon Samuel, a healthier offensive line, and a good crop of tight ends, the Falcons have already rushed for 1,117 yards in eight games this fall.
Samuel has been a difference-maker with 704 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He’s rushed for over 100 yards in five of the seven games in which he’s played and he’s currently averaging 100.6 yards per game, 28th in the nation.
Samuel said he is surprised with his early success, coming less than a year out of high school.
“It’s the O-line; give them all the credit,” Samuel said. “They block so well. I can’t thank them enough. They are the reason for my success during the season.”
Samuel said the faith that Warren Ruggiero, BG’s offensive coordinator, and John Hunter, the Falcons’ running backs coach, have shown in him has added to his confidence.
The Falcons have basically used six offensive linemen for the entire season with Dominic Flewellyn starting every game at right guard and Jordon Roussos getting every start at right tackle.
Ben Bojicic has started four times at center and four games at left tackle. Chip Robinson had four starts at center and one at left guard. Dominique Wharton has made seven starts at left guard. Kyle Bryant has made four starts at left tackle.
Alex Bayer and Kendall Montgomery, the top two tight ends, have helped with the blocking along with fullback Tyler Beck, a converted tight end.
The Falcons’ running attack will be challenged again this week by Kent State’s defense. The Golden Flashes are second in the Mid-American Conference in total defense, allowing 320 yards per game. Kent State is fourth in the conference in both rushing defense (137.4 yards per game) and pass defense (182.6 yards per game).
“They are excellent on defense,” BG head coach Dave Clawson said. “They are solid in every way ... You are going to have to execute at a very high level to move the football on these guys.
“Coach (Jon) Heacock is certainly very well-respected,” Clawson added about Kent State’s defensive coordinator. “They are very well-coached. Their players play hard, and they have been very effective all year.”
JONES: BG’s Chris Jones is the MAC East defensive player of the week.
A junior, Jones had six tackles and three sacks for 16 yards in losses in the Falcons’ 13-10 win over Temple last Saturday.
For the season, Jones has made 32 tackles, 101⁄2 tackles for loss and seven sacks. His sack total is the eighth-most in school history and currently leads the MAC.
This is the second time in 2011 that Jones earned the award.
In eight weeks, the Falcons have had seven conference player of the week honors.
SPECIAL: Brian Schmiedebusch is sixth in the nation, averaging 46.54 yards on 39 punts with 15 punts going 50 yards or longer and 14 punts being downed inside the 20-yard line. The Falcons have also done a good job of coverage as opponents have returned 13 punts for 99 yards with a long of 21 yards.
Jerry ‘BooBoo’ Gates is averaging 30 yards on 20 kickoff returns this fall and is 12th in the nation. He’s also third on the Falcons with 46 tackles.
BG was only 5-of-12 on field goals for the entire 2010 12-game season.
This fall, Stephen Stein is 5-of-6 on field goals, including two in the win over Temple. As a team, the Falcons are 6-of-8 on field goals.
TWO-DEEP: Fahn Cooper, a freshman who was the backup left tackle has been moved off the two-deep for the Falcons. The plan is to redshirt Cooper. Nick Hager, a redshirt freshman from Wapakoneta, is now the backup for Kyle Bryant.
ROCK: Brian Rock is in his first season as Kent State’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He is a graduate of Bowling Green High School and Bowling Green State University. Rock holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from BGSU and he was a part-time assistant coach for the Falcons from 1985-87.
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