Fall Preview: Bowling Green

Fall Preview for the Bowling Green State University Falcons:

QB

#07 Matt Schilz QB 6-3 220 R-Jr. Arcadia, Calif. / Maranatha--12 games played. 245-412 passing for 3024 yards and 28 TD. 51 carries for -60 yards.

#11 Matt Johnson QB 5-11 212 R-Fr. Harrisburg, Pa. / Bishop McDevitt--Redshirted in 2011.

#12 Patrick Brown QB 6-1 180 R-Jr. Liberty Center, Ohio / Liberty Center--No stats in 2011.

#14 Malik Stokes QB 6-2 184 R-Fr. Philadelphia, Pa. / Northeast--Redshirted in 2011.

#03 James Knapke QB 6-3 185 Fr. Fort Wayne, Ind. / Bishop Luers--Incoming freshman.

Junior Matt Schilz returns for another season after having a 2011 season that saw him throw for over 3000 yards and 28 touchdowns. Schilz has started 22 games in his career and should easily start all 12 games this fall barring injury. Johnson, Brown, Stokes, and Knapke will all be battling for the backup job until Schilz graduates.

RB

#06 Anthon Samuel RB 5-11 183 So. Opa Locka, Fla. / Monsignor Edwards Pace--9 games played. 144 carries for 844 yards and 5 TD. 15 catches for 93 yards. 2 tackles. MAC freshman of the year in 2011.

#04 Jordan Hopgood RB 5-11 212 R-Jr. Cincinnati, Ohio / Princeton--9 games played, 5 starts. 6 career starts. 60 carries for 213 yards and 4 TD. 7 catches for 53 yards.

#37 Jamel Martin RB 5-10 191 R-So. Bolingbrook, Ill. / Bolingbrook--10 games played, 1 start.  78 carries for 280 yards and 3 TD. 3 catches for 10 yards.

#20 John Pettigrew RB 5-8 180 Sr. Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio / Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy--4 games played. 17 carries for 63 yards and 1 TD. 1 kickoff return for 8 yards.

#41 Tim Moore RB 5-10 185 Sr. Mentor, Ohio / Mentor--4 games played. 3 tackles.

#02 Andre Givens RB R-Fr.--Redshirted in 2011.

#32 Alex Carter RB Fr.--Incoming freshman.

The Falcons have a three-headed monster of running backs that combined for 1337 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground for Bowling Green last fall. Sophomore Anthon Samuel is the 2012 projected starter after rushing for 844 yards and making 15 catches in being named the MAC freshman of the year. Junior Jordan Hopgood made 5 starts last fall and had 213 yards on the ground and 7 catches. Sophomore Jamel Martin had 280 yards on the ground and 3 catches. All three can step in and start but they will all get extensive playing time in 2012.Senior John Pettigrew could earn some playing time in certain situations.

TE

#82 Alex Bayer TE 6-4 256 R-Jr. Pickerington, Ohio / Pickerington North--12 games played, 12 starts. 16 career starts. 20 catches for 242 yards and 2 TD. 1 tackle.

#88 Kendall Montgomery TE 6-5 258 R-So. Miami, Fla. / Monsignor Pace--11 games played, 4 starts. 1 catch for 1 yard.  1 tackle.

#89 Tyler Beck TE 6-2 247 Jr. Wyomissing, Pa. / Wilson--12 games played, 9 starts. 8 catches for 97 yards and 1 TD. 1 kickoff return for 6 yards. Also used as a fullback. 1 tackle.

#47 Clay Rolf TE 6-6 275 R-So. Pemberville, Ohio / Eastwood--5 games played. 1 catch for 23 yards.

#57 Anthony Cornwell TE 6-3 225 R-So. Youngstown, Ohio / Chaney--No stats in 2011.

#42 Chris Pohlman TE/FB 6-1 248 So. Delphos, Ohio / Delphos St. John's--No stats in 2011.

#44 Scott Davis TE 6-5 240 Fr. Richmond, Va. / Mills E. Godwin)--Incoming freshman.

#83 Zach Steinmetz TE 6-3 234 R-Fr. Toledo, Ohio / Toledo St. Johns--Redshirted in 2011.

The Falcons liked to start off in 2011 in a double tight end formation with junior Alex Bayer and either Beck or Montgomery in the starting lineup. Bayer is the leading returning tight end with 20 catches and two touchdowns in 2011 for the Falcons. Montgomery and Beck were not as productive with a combined 9 catches last fall. Beck also lines up as a fullback in some formations making him overall more of an h-back than a tight end. Sophmore Clay Rolf made one catch and looks to have talent to ear some playing time this fall with Cornwell, Pholman, Davis, and Steinmetz all looking to earn playing time on special teams.

WR

#09 Shaun Joplin WR 6-2 197 R-Jr. Sylvania, Ohio / Southview--12 games played. 21 catches for 292 yards and 1 TD. 2 tackles.

#16 Je`Ron Stokes WR 6-0 198 R-Jr. Philadelphia, Pa. / Northeast--No stats in 2011.

#10 Herve Coby WR 6-0 178 R-Fr. Delray Beach, Fla. / American Heritage--Redshirted in 2011.

#18 Bart Tanski WR 6-0 189 5th Concord, OH / Mentor--No stats in 2011.

#26 Michael Allen WR 5-10 175 Jr. Los Angeles, Calif. / Lynwood--No stats in 2011.

#36 Hayden Pryka WR 6-1 200 R-Jr. Perrysburg, Ohio / Perrysburg--No stats in 2011.

#81 Chris Gallon WR 6-4 219 R-Fr. Orlando, Fla. / Dr. Phillips--Redshirted in 2011.

#83 Jared Cohen WR 6-2 205 Jr. Cypress, Calif. / Cypress--No stats in 2011.

#85 Heath Jackson WR 5-11 176 R-So. Ada, Ohio / Ada--1 punt return for -3 yards. 2 kickoff returns for -7 yard average.

#86 Deejay White WR 5-10 184 R-So. Brooklyn, NY / Sheapshead Bay--No stats in 2011.

#13 Travis Greene WR 5-10 166 R-Fr. Carroll City, Fla. / Monsignor Edwards Pace--Redshirted in 2011.

#27 Ryan Burbrink WR 5-8 178 R-Fr. Shady Side, Mary. / DeMatha Catholic--Redshirted in 2011.

#80 James White WR 6-1 180 Fr. Southfield, Mich. / Crockett Technical--Incoming freshman.

#84 Diontre Delk WR 5-9 173 R-Fr. Cleveland Heights, Ohio / Cleveland Heights--Redshirted in 2011.

#87 Jermal Hosley WR 5-9 180 Fr. Highland Park, Mich. / Highland Park--Incoming freshman.

BGSU has major issues at the wide receiver spot with only 1 returning receiver making any catches last fall. Junior Shaun Joplin made 21 catches and 1 touchdown and must step up with at least 50 catches in 2011. Junior Je'Ron Stokes and redshirt freshman Herve Coby look to be the other starters at wide receiver and must step in and play immediately. Honestly, any of the remaining wide receivers have a chance to contribute significantly and the positional battles should continue right up to the opening game.

OL

#79 Fahn Cooper LT 6-5 300 R-Fr. Crystal Lake, Ill. / Crystal Lake South--Redshirted in 2011. Projected starter at left tackle.

#52 Dominic Flewellyn LG 6-3 291 Jr. Maple Heights, Ohio / Maple Heights--Projected starter at left guard. 20 career starts.

#71 Chip Robinson C 6-5 310 5th Middletown, Ohio / Middletown--Projected starter at center. 21 career starts.

#73 Jordon Roussos RG 6-4 296 Sr. Pittsburgh, Pa. / Carlyton Junior/Senior--Projected starter at right guard. 1 tackle. 19 career starts.

#60 Scott Hodges RT 6-7 294 R-Jr. Sacramento, Calif. / Carmichael Jesuit--Redshirted in 2011. Projected starter at right tackle.

#74 Christian Piazza LT 6-7 281 R-Fr. Ann Arbor, Mich. / Huron--Redshirted in 2011. Backup at left tackle.

#78 Dominique Wharton LG 6-3 298 Sr. Brooklyn, N.Y. / Beach Channel--Backup at left guard. 10 career starts.

#65 David "Chief" Kekuewa C 6-3 300 Jr. Keaau, Haw. / Kamehameha--Backup at center. JUCO transfer.

#55 Alex Huettel RG 6-3 293 R-Fr. Pickerington, Ohio / Pickerington North--Redshirted in 2011. Backup at right guard.

#53 Logan Dietz OL 6-5 280 Fr. Pittsburgh, Pa. / Pittsburgh Central Catholic--Incoming freshman.

#59 Darion Delaney OL 6-3 293 R-So. Dayton, Ohio / Trotwood Madison

#62 Spencer Cairo OL 6-2 293 R-Fr. Rochester, Mich. / Rochester Adams--Redshirted in 2011.

#64 Johnathan Fry OL 6-3 265 R-So. Huntington, WV / Spring Valley--2 games played.

#67 Jacob Bennett OL 6-6 290 Fr. Lebanon, Ohio / Lebanon--Incoming freshman.

#69 Dalton Chapman OL 6-7 285 Fr. Grove City, Ohio / Grove City--Incoming freshman.

#70 Isaiah Byler OL 6-3 286 R-So. Elyria, Ohio / Elyria--2 games played.

#72 Ben Steward OL 6-7 300 Fr. Holt, Mich. / Holt--Incoming freshman.

#76 Nick Hager OL 6-2 307 R-So. Wapakoneta, Ohio / Wapakoneta--2 games played.

#77 J.J. Beggan OL 6-4 290 Fr. Pittsburgh, Pa. / Seton LaSalle--Incoming freshman.

DL

#96 Ronnie Goble DE 6-2 240 R-Jr. Plymouth, Mich. / Plymouth--12 games played. 20 tackles, 4 for loss. 1 sack, 2 pbu, 2 pd, 1 fumble recovery.

#92 Zach Colvin DE 6-2 271 So. Shorewood, Ill. / Minooka--10 games played. 11 tackles, 2 for loss. 1 sack.

#90 Jairus Campbell DT 6-5 295 R-Jr. Pickerington, Ohio / Pickerington North--12 games played. 20 tackles, 3 for loss. 1 forced fumble.

#91 Chris Jones DT 6-1 295 Sr. Brownsburg, Ind. / Brownsburg--12 games played. 47 tackles, 14 for loss. 8.5 sacks, 1 pbu, 1 pd, 3 forced fumbles, 1 safety.

#43 Bryan Thomas DE 6-2 248 R-So. Washington, Pa. / Washington--3 games played. 2 tackles. 2 fumble recoveries. Backup DE.

#56 Shaq Hall DE 6-2 237 R-Fr. Naples, Fla. / Palmetto Ridge--Redshirted in 2011. Backup DE.

#68 Hunter Maynard DT 6-0 317 So. Ashville, Ohio / Bishop Watterson--7 games played. 4 tackles, 1 for loss. Backup DT.

#93 Ted Ouellet DT 6-3 276 R-Jr. Sherborn, Mass. / Dover-Sherborn--9 games played. 20 tackles, 1.5 for loss. 1 sack, 1 forced fumble. Backup DT.

#46 Charlie Walker DL 6-2 228 R-So. Sterling Heights, Mich. / Stevenson--12 games played. 27 tackles, 4 for loss. 1 pbu, 1 pd, 1 fumble recovery.

#50 Darius Gilbert DT 6-1 275 R-So. Hamilton, Ohio / Hamilton--6 games played. 2 tackles.

#99 Bryan Baird DE 6-3 233 R-Fr. Spring Valley, Ohio / Bellbrook--Redshirted in 2011.

#54 Mike Minns DL 6-0 300 Fr. West Palm Beach, Fla. / Dwyer--Incoming freshman.

#63 Taylor Royster DL 6-0 245 R-Fr. --Redshirted in 2011.

#66 Mark Kulbis DL 6-4 210 R-So. Euclid, Ohio / Euclid--No stats in 2011.

#94 Izaah Lunsford DL 6-3 265 Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio / Shroder Paideia--Incoming freshman.

The 4-2-5 defense of Bowling Green is led by a defensive line that has 6 returning players with double digit tackles in 2011. Senior Chris Jones led the defensive line with 47 tackles including 14 for loss and will be flanked by juniors Ronnie Goble (20 tackles), Jarius Campbell (20 tackles), and sophomore ZZach Colvin (11 tackles). Thomas (2 tackles), Hall, Maynard (4 tackles), Ouellet (20 tackles), and Walker (27 tackles) will all be working into the defensive line rotation and should be major contributors.  

LB

#33 Paul Swan OLB 6-0 226 R-Jr. Nashotah, Wisc. / Oconomowoc--12 games played. 63 tackles, 1.5 for loss. 1 sack, 1 pbu, 1 pd.

#05 Dwayne Woods MLB 6-1 227 Sr. Cincinnati, Ohio / Princeton--12 games played. 111 tackles, 14 for loss. 2 sacks, 1 interception, 1 pbu, 2 pd, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles.

#07 D.J. Lynch OLB 5-11 238 R-So. Pontiac, Mich. / Avondale--12 games played. 43 tackles, 5 for loss. 3 sacks.1 kickoff return for 6 yards. Backup OLB.

#11 Gabe Martin LB 6-1 220 R-So. Grand Blanc, Mich. / Grand Blanc--11 games played. 25 tackles, 1 for loss. 1 sack, 1 pbu, 1 pd. Backup MLB.

#21 Erick Hallmon LB 6-0 195 Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. / Cardinal Gibbons--Incoming freshman.

#28 Coy Brown III LB 5-11 215 Fr. Wakcarusa, Ind. / Northwood--Incoming freshman.

#45 Jhalil-Nashid Croley LB 6-3 245 Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio / Princeton--Incoming freshman.

#58 Tim Love LB 6-0 198 R-So. Maple Heights, Ohio / Maple Heights--No stats in 2011.

With the Falcons only using 2 linebackers in most defensive sets, it is very important for Bowling Green to have experienced players. Senior Dwayne Woods (111 tackles) and junior Paul Swan (63 tackles) combined for 174 tackles at the linebacker spot and should be able to mimic those stats this fall. Backing them up are sophomores DJ Lynch (43 tackles) and Gabe Martin (25 tackles) who are ready to step in and play whenever needed.

DB

#03 Brian Sutton NB 5-11 186 So. Fishers, Ind. / Fishers--11 games played. 8 tackles. 1 pbu, 1 pd. Projected starter at rover.

#08 Cameron Truss CB 5-10 189 R-Jr. Warren, Ohio / LaBrae--10 games played. 52 tackles, 1 for loss. 1 interception, 8 pbu, 9 pd, 1 forced fumble. Projected starter at cornerback.

#12 DeVon McKoy CB 5-10 189 R-So. Columbus, Ohio / Eastwood--8 games played. 34 tackles, 1 for loss. 4 pbu, 4 pd, 1 blocked kick. Projected starter at cornerback.

#15 Ryland Ward S 5-9 204 R-So. Columbus, Ohio / Brookhaven--12 games played. 69 tackles, 0.5 for loss. 1 interception, 3 pbu, 4 pd, 1 forced fumble. Projected starter at safety.

#24 Jerry "BooBoo" Gates S 5-10 209 Jr. Middletown, Ohio / Middletown--12 games played. 73 tackles, 2 for loss. 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 3 pbu, 5 pd, 1 forced fumble. 1 punt return for 0 yards. 38 kickoff returns for 25.8 yard average and 1 TD. Projected starter at safety.

#17 Dernard Turner DB 6-0 177 R-Fr. Miami, Fla. / Booker T. Washington--Redshirted in 2011. Backup at rover.

#01 Darrell Hunter DB 5-8 176 So. West Palm Beach, Fla. / William T. Dwyer--10 games played. 32 tackles, 1.5 for loss. 1 interception, 5 pbu, 6 pd. Backup cornerback.

#14 Jude Adjei-Barimah DB 5-10 194 R-So. Columbus, Ohio / Northland--12 games played. 14 tackles. Backup safety.

#23 Aaron Foster DB 5-10 202 Jr. Bloomfield, Mich. / West Bloomfield--12 games played. 69 tackles. 3 pbu, 3 pd, 1 forced fumble. Backup safety.

#25 Johnny Joseph DB 5-7 168 R-Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. / St. Thomas Aquinas--Redshirted in 2011. Backup cornerback.

#19 Will Watson DB 6-1 185 Fr. Tampa, Fla. / Tampa Jefferson--Incoming freshman.

#22 Josh Pettus DB Jr. Detroit, Mich. / Southwestern--No stats in 2011.

#30 Mark Mays DB 5-9 184 R-Jr. Clayton, Ohio / Northmont--No stats in 2011.

#31 Austin Collier DB 6-0 210 R-Jr. Sterling, Mich. / Standish-Sterling Central--6 games played. 2 tackles.

#34 Victor Osborne DB R-So.--No stats in 2011.  

#35 James Sanford DB 6-2 190 Fr. Xenia, Ohio / Xenia--Incoming freshman.

#39 Justin Ford DB 6-1 197 R-So. Grand Rapids, Mich. / Kenowa Hills

When you run a nickel defensive set most of the time, you must have a group of defensive backs that are experienced and talented. Cornerbacks Truss and McKoy combined for 86 tackles but no interceptions in 2011. Safeties Ryland Ward (69 tackles) and BooBoo Gates (73 tackles) were very good in 2011 and should being a sense of stability to the back end of the defense this fall.  Sophomore Brian Sutton will be the nickelback/rover and is the only projected defensive starter with limited playing experience. Turner, Hunter (32 tackles), Adjei-Barimah (14 tackles) and Foster (69 tackles) should all be in the secondary rotation with Foster possibly moving into a starting role after a very productive 2011 season.

LS

#54 Cory Johnson LS 5-11 204 5th Richmond, Ohio / Edison--12 games played. 3 tackles.

#48 Greg Hohenstein LS 6-3 195 Fr. Warrenville, Ill. / Wheaton-Warrenville South--Incoming freshman.

#53 Matt Engel LS 5-7 211 R-So. Ottawa, Ont. / Yitzhak Rabin--No stats in 2011.

Senior Cory Johnson was the long snapper in all 12 games in 2011 and should continue to be the snapper this fall. Sophomore Engel and freshman Hohenstein should battle for a backup role this fall.

K

#49 Stephen Stein K 5-11 186 5th Blue Ash, OH / Sycamore--6 kickoffs. 8-11 field goals. 24-25 extra point attempts. Projected starter at kicker.

#87 Matt Oczypok K 5-10 188 R-Jr. Pittsburgh, Pa. / Pittsburgh Central Catholic--No stats in 2011.

#97 Anthony Farinella K 6-3 180 Fr. Woodridge, Ill. / Downers Grove South--Incoming freshman.

#98 Tyler Tate K 5-11 168 R-Fr. Carroll, Ohio / Bloom-Carroll--Redshirted in 2011.

Senior Stephen Stein is the kicker of choice in 2012 after making 8-11 field goals last fall. He also made 24-25 extra point attempts for the Falcons. Oczpok, Farinella, and Tate will battle for backup duties.

P

#95 Brian Schmiedebusch P 6-4 214 R-Jr. Ottawa, Ohio / Ottawa-Glandorf--12 games played. 1 carry for 18 yards. 57 punts for 45.3 yard average and 18 inside the 20 yard line. 19 punts over 50 yards. Long of 81 yards. Starter at punter.

Junior Brian Schmiedebusch had an incredible 2011 season that saw him win 1st Team All-MAC honors, Ray Guy semifinalist honors, and have the 2nd highest punting average in school history. He will be looked at as an NFL prospect if he continues to improve in his junior and senior seasons.

ATH

#15 Tanner Garry 6-2 195 Fr. McDonald, Pa. / Fort Cherry--Incoming freshman.

#26 Alphonso Mack Fr. South Bend, Ind. / Washington--Incoming freshman.

#38 Evan Karchner Fr.--Incoming freshman.

#40 Trenton Greene Fr.--Incoming freshman.

#?? Terrance Bush 6-2 223 Fr. South Bend, Ind. / Washington--Incoming freshman.

#?? Aaron Smith Fr.--Incoming freshman.

2011 saw the Bowling Green Falcons come close to a .500 record but just miss out after losing 3 of their final 4 games in an up and down 2011 season. The Falcons could never gain enough momentum with two separate 3 game losing streaks that doomed the season. 2012 sees the Falcons with a fairly difficult out of conference slate with trips to Florida and Virginia Tech and home games versus Idaho and FCS foe Rhode Island. BGSU misses out on Northern Illinois but has to face Toledo and Ohio on the road. 6-6 looks to be the most likely outcome for the Falcons with an outside chance at 7-5 and a bowl berth.