Here's a report on what's happening at BGSU so far...courtesy of the local paper.
Falcons feature new faces at linebacker
After scrimmaging for 100-120 plays this morning, Bowling Green’s head football coach Gregg Brandon hopes to have a better handle on the progress of his team.
After today’s scrimmage, the Falcons will have two weeks of workouts completed, with three weeks remaining.
“We’ve been installing plays on both sides of the ball,” Brandon said. “(Thursday) was the first day we had done any scrimmaging. We got 30 plays in the red zone and a couple of goal line coming out things.
“It’s the first live stuff that we’ve done. I liked the spirit and the intensity of the defense in the red zone.”
The Falcons have been reworking things at linebacker, moving safeties Jerett Sanderson and Calvin Marshall to outside linebacker.
Of last season’s starting outside linebackers, Loren Hargrove has completed his eligibility, John Haneline continues to recover from a knee injury, and Glen Stanley is no longer with the team because of academic difficulties. Aaron Davis, who started in Stanley’s spot in the GMAC Bowl, has moved to inside linebacker along with Erique Dozier, who led the team with 112 tackles last season. Cody Basler, who also started in the bowl game, has experience, both inside and outside.
“We’ve helped ourselves by moving Jerett Sanderson and Calvin Marshall and moving Aaron Davis inside,” Brandon said. “He’s (Sanderson) is a good football player. He’s close to 200 pounds and he’s going to continue to get bigger and stronger. He can play outside linebacker for us.”
Also at linebacker, Brandon has been impressed with the play of Eugene “Champ” Fells, who had an eight-month rehabilitation from a knee injury and was later slowed by injuries suffered in a car accident last spring.
“He’s stepped up this spring and is doing a nice job,” Brandon said about Fells.
“We’ve got enough guys in the program that we’ll be all right there,” he added. “Losing some guys there we just had to look at the roster and make some moves to help ourselves.”
Finding replacements on the offensive line for three graduated starters has also been an emphasis this spring.
Brandon Curtis, a fifth-year senior, has the inside track to replace all-conference performer Kory Lichtensteiger at center. Curtis was the starting right guard last season.
Brandon likes the progress of redshirt freshman Ben Bojicic who is behind Curtis. But “Ben is a good enough player, he’ll start somewhere on the line in the fall, guard or tackle,” Brandon said.
Shane Steffy started 12 games last season at left guard, but is recovering from a broken ankle.
Brady Minturn, who replaced Steffy in the GMAC Bowl, and Jeff Fink are candidates at guard.
Aaron Kent, Tyler Donahue along with D.J. Young, who was moved from the defensive line, and Casey McHugh, a junior college transfer, are battling to replace tackles Drew Nystrom and Kevin Huelsman.
Scott Lewis, and Scott Albert are walk-ons who have caught Brandon’s eye on the line.
“We have guys who are capable, they just don’t have a lot of game experience,” Brandon said. “We’re going to try to give them as much live work this spring as we can.”
One player Brandon wanted to evaluate on the defensive line this spring is Nick Rieke, a 6-4, 250 pound redshirt sophomore. However, Rieke has an “exertional headache problem” Brandon said.
In other injury news, defensive lineman Nick Davis is still out. Running back Eric Ransom is practicing, but not yet going at full speed.
“I know what Eric can do,” Brandon said. “He’ll be ready in the fall. There’s no rush ... We don’t need to see him run in live situations.”
Defensive end Diyral Briggs, who was suspended for the GMAC Bowl, is back with the team.
The spring game is set for April 19 starting at noon in Perry Stadium.
By JACK CARLE
Sentinel Sports Editor
Only 154 days til the season opener at Pitt....
