2002 Statistics

written by Joe Brunson

First year Head Coach Gregg Brandon will get a legitimate star QB, Senior All-American candidate Josh Harris, to lead the Falcons. He set five school records and two MAC records en route to gaining 3,211 total yards and 41 scores.

BGSU welcomes back three of their top four wideouts but must replace the 83 catches and nine touchdowns of Robert Redd. Enter Junior H-Back Cole Magner. Rivaled only by Harris in play-making ability, the former Alaskan High School QB scored rushing, receiving, and passing. Bowling Green will find ways to get this two-sporter (basketball) the ball.

Coach Brandon has coached in wide-open offenses his entire career so don't be surprised when he often goes four-wide. The second and third receivers from a year ago (Charles Sharon and James Hawkins) will provide the leadership in the receiving corps. When they do use their Z-Back (4th WR), it will be Junior Cornelius McGrady, a nice target in a 6-3 200lb frame. BGSU will also utilize another slash-type player in redshirt freshman Van Johnson. He is listed on the depth chart as the third string QB, but Coach Brandon believes, "he is too good an athlete to be standing next to me on the sidelines." Look for Johnson to play multiple positions and gain more playing time as the season progresses. Craig Jarrett is back from injury and should make the position change to TE without missing a beat. The former fullback is a gifted athlete. And if the knee problems (that kept out most of 2002) heal as scheduled, you may see Jarrett become a favorite target for Harris.

At running back, BGSU will most likely split time between to Sophomore P.J. Pope and B.J. Lane. Pope is the more experienced back (just under six-yard average per carry) and should get the starting nod. Both backs are relatively small and shifty and will be utilized more out of the backfield in the passing game to showcase their elusiveness. One player to watchout for is redshirt freshman Raishaun Stover. He is similar in stature to Pope and Lane, but uses his 5'10", 190lb frame as a battering ram with game-breaking speed.

The biggest concern will be the replacement of three starting offensive linemen. 2002's veteran line gave up only twenty sacks. Of course the escability element of Josh Harris comes into play here, but the fact remains - BGSU needs someone to step up. Junior Scott Mruczkowski started in all 23 games he has played at LG, but will make the switch to the left tackle spot. He has made the adjustment with flying colors (so far), and should prove to be the leader of this line. The other side should be concrete as well. RT Robert Haley and RT James Williams are returning for their fifth years to provide solid bookends to the line. They split time last season due to an injury to Williams. The interior line will be Bowling Green's Achilles Heel. All three projected starters have only played as backups. They are veterans with some experience, so the ingredients are there. Similarly, there are some young players also in current back-up roles, so don't be surprised if the depth chart changes again.

Coach Brandon will keep the offense identical to what they ran while he was O-coordinator. After ranking ninth nationally in total offense (448.9 yds/game) and third in scoring offense (40.8 pts/game), there is no real need to tweak.

QB Josh Harris

written by Joe Brunson

The bad news is BGSU gave up over 365 yds plus 25.3 pts/game in 2002. The good news is they welcome back eight starters, including two-time All-MAC CB Janssen Patton. He will lead one of the most experienced backfields in the nation with a combined total of 83 starts among the starting four DB's. Junior Keon Newson (also a BGSU basketball player) will man the other corner. Both players can run with almost anyone and allow Defensive Coordinator Tim Beckman plenty of options. Back for a fifth year at Strong Safety is Mike Malone. He was bothered by a separated shoulder, but looks to be back in form after spring ball. Senior FS James Morton will help to make the secondary the strength of this crew.

The Falcons will stick with the 4-3 defense utilized for the final six games of 2002. In the middle of the linebacking unit will be Junior Jovan Burkes who makes the transition from starting ten games on the outside a year ago. Burkes will provide sideline to sideline speed. Senior Mitch Hewitt is back at WLB where he played opportunistically last season, scoring two defensive touchdowns. The SAM position is up for grabs, with Daniel Sayles likely starting and Jamien Johnson pushing him for playing time. Both players have good speed. The odd man out most likely backs up Hewitt, too.

The weakest link may be their front line. Sophomore DE Mitchell Crossley and fellow classmate, DT Matt Leininger, return after playing extremely well as first-year players. Leininger's quality of play initiated the change from a three to four down-lineman set. Crossley led the team in tackles-for-loss (TFLs) and nabbed seven sacks in his first year with the big boys. The other end, sophomore Monty Cooley, is quick off the corner and has worked on his run-stopping technique so as to make the starting lineup. At nose should be Jamal Bryant, unless Mike Thaler beats him out in fall ball. This will be a key position - Coach Beckman needs someone to force double-teams so his speedy linebacking crew can clean house. If a player doesn't step up in the interior alongside Leininger, don't be surprised if Beckman goes back to a 3-3-5 scheme to assure that his best will be playing together.

Bowling Green led the MAC in TO-margin with a +.75, leading to an average of 14.4 pts/game. Those numbers should only increase. The concern will be an emphasis on run-defense. In their three losses, Bowling Green gave up an average of 211.7 yds rushing.

FS Jason Morton