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LB
Teddy Piepkow |
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2004
Statistics |
Coach:
Gregg Brandon
20-6,
2 years |
2004
Record: 9-3 |
|
at
Oklahoma |
LOST
24-40 |
SE
MISSOURI STATE |
WON
49-10 |
at
Northern Illinois |
LOST
17-34 |
at
Temple |
WON
70-16 |
at
Central Michigan |
WON
38-14 |
BALL
STATE |
WON
51-13 |
at
Ohio |
WON
41-16 |
EASTERN
MICHIGAN |
WON
41-20 |
WESTERN
MICHIGAN |
WON
52-0 |
MARSHALL |
WON
56-35 |
at
Toledo |
LOST
41-49 |
GMAC
BOWL |
vs.
Memphis |
WON
52-35 |
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2004 Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-UR
|
2005
Outlook |
Once
a perennial power, BG has re-blossomed
under Gregg Brandon as a premier mid-major.
Urban Meyer helped put this in motion,
yet the Falcons still haven't won
a MAC title since 1992, though they've
won both subsequent bowl games (only
the second time in school history
they've accomplished such). Before
they can start talking about being
a possible BCS buster, they'll have
to handle the competition in their
own conference.
The
table is set for the drought to end.
Marshall, which won the title five
of the last eight years, jumped to
Conference USA. BG switches to the
East Division after years of struggling
behind Toledo and Marshall in the
West. The Falcons still have to outpace
a senior-laden Miami team (the game's
at Oxford) in the East, but the door
is wide open for a big year otherwise.
As
for the BCS, road games at Wisconsin
and on the blue turf at Boise State
to start out the season will garner
national media and open up some (AP/USA
Today voters') eyes. The Badgers will
be breaking in virtually new defensive
line and secondary groups, which will
lead to huge numbers for Jacobs and
the offense. However, the Broncos
will pose the Falcon's biggest threat
(9/17/05, mark it down now, a real
Game of the Year candidate). Realistically,
a MAC title and a third straight bowl
win, along with a hotshot QB getting
national attention, will be enough
to strengthen the image of a program
already on the rise. Moreover, an
undefeated run isn't out of the question,
so if they are unscathed come October,
watch the hype fly their/this way.
Jacobs is a Heisman finalist, either
way.
Brandon
has done a terrific job building on
what Meyer began. Now, for the first
time in his three seasons, the Falcons
are a conference favorite. That may
mean, as it did for Meyer, his exit,
but bet he sticks and stays with these
kids he has brought in to build even
more here. It is a great time to get
off of the I-75 at exit 181
Hey,
College Gameday, here how easy that
is to find?
Projected
2005 record: 9-2
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OL
Rob Warren |
BOWLING
GREEN
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 5 |
DL
- 3.5 |
RB
- 4 |
LB
- 3 |
WR
- 3 |
DB
- 3 |
OL
- 3 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Omar Jacobs, 462-309-4, 4002 yds.,
41 TD
Rushing: P.J. Pope, 178 att.,
1098 yds., 15 TD
Receiving: Charles Sharon,
66 rec., 1070 yds., 15 TD
Scoring: P.J. Pope, 21 TD,
126 pts.
Punting: Nate Fry, 40 punts,
38.2 avg.
Kicking: Josef Timchenko, 1-1
FG, 3 pts.
Tackles: Ted Piepkow, 81 tot.,
21 solo
Sacks: Devon Parks, 4 sacks
Interceptions: Ted Piepkow,
2 for 64 yds.; Jelani Jordan, 2 for
42 yds.
Kickoff returns: B.J. Lane,
20 ret., 23.1 avg., 1 TD
Punt returns: Charles Sharon,
24 ret., 11.8 avg., 1 TD
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BOWLING
GREEN
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OFFENSE
- 6 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 6 |
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KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Cole Magner-WR, James Hawkins-WR, Cornelius
McGrady-WR, Todd DiBacco-TE, Scott Mruczkowski-C,
Andy Grubb-OG, Andrew Hart-OT, Shaun
Suisham-K |
DEFENSE:
Daniel
Sayles-SLB, Jovon Burkes-MLB, Keon Newson-SS,
T.J. Carswell-FS, Mitchell Crossley-DE
(NFL), Matt Leininger-DT (dismissed) |
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2005
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
Omar
Jacobs is now the next great MAC QB. With
the help of a great group of receivers,
the strong-armed 6-4 redshirt junior threw
41 TDs against just four picks, and was
fourth in the nation (167.2 passer rating)
while also running for 6.2 per carry (if
you subtract his sack numbers). Though his
stats could slide a bit (two of Jacobs'
top targets and some starting linemen left),
his ability to lead the team won't. The
elusiveness and uncanny field smarts Jacobs
inherently displays will help him overcome
those losses en route to another outstanding
season when measured via BG's win total.
Backup Jason Washington transferred to Montana
(I-AA), so junior Van Johnson will likely
first get the nod if Jacobs is out. Johnson
has speed and an arm, but would represent
a huge step back if inserted over a multiple-game
sequence. Anthony Turner is another prototypical
run-pass QB with 4.6-40 speed and size,
but lacks any real-game reps, so look for
who falls in the backup role by August.
Running
Back
For
the third straight season, the Falcons will
have one of the best one-two combos in the
MAC with P.J. Pope and B.J. Lane. Pope,
who has two straight 1,000-yard seasons,
is quick enough to avoid tacklers but this
"bowling ball" often prefers to
knock them over instead. He usually wins
those head-to-heads battles, as is indicated
by the 6.2 yards per carry he averaged last
fall. Lane is quicker and has power when
he chooses to use it. Jacobs' running ability
means foes cannot predict and therefore
stop this attack (4.7 per try as a team
was 23rd-best). Pope (50 catches, six TDs)
and Lane are also sure-handed threats who
kill on short routes with the vertical game
forcing LBs/safeties to stay deep. Junior
backups Raishaun Stover and Dan Macon have
ability but see few reps behind Pope and
Lane. There's no real fullback used in this
system or listed on their roster.
Receiver
The
Falcons typically use three- and four-wideout
sets to spread defenses all over the place,
which opens things up for their lethal running
attack. This group is big, quick and deep,
even with the losses. Charles Sharon, an
athletic playmaker who was fourth in the
conference in receiving yards and third
in TDs, will move into the go-to role. Steve
Sanders' big-play ability (eight TDs) is
evidenced by his team-high 17.6 yards per
catch. Fast backups Brandon Jones (4.7-40
speed) and Derrick Lett (4.4) are sure to
become more of a factor, and newbie Rhett
Magner could easily replace his brother's
ability, but not his huge production until
next year. Jacobs is too good not to have
each reach his potential, so expect more
huge stat lines for all.
Tight
End
With
one starter graduated and another (Steve
Navarro) lost (stroke), redshirt sophomore
John O'Drobinak will take over this role.
The 6-4, 245-pounder will most likely be
used an added blocker as this position has
accounted for just 17 catches the past two
seasons. Considered more like a FB, blocking
mobility is the key asset for TEs at BG.
In that case, converted-LB and former-QB
Pete Winovich will do fine, and he has hands,
too.
Offensive
Line
This
unit has some work to do if BG is to approach
last year's offensive efficiency (ranked
second in the nation for total offense and
fourth in scoring). Two starters return
in LT Rob Warren and LG Kory Lichtensteiger,
giving Jacobs great blindside protection.
Warren, an all-MAC pick, has become one
of the conference's best pass-blocking tackles
after moving from guard. Lichtensteiger
is a second-team all-MAC selection whose
emergence as a redshirt freshman allowed
Warren to move outside. Jonathan Culp, a
former tackle, will be a big, mobile center
for this line. There are plenty of youngsters
such as Drew Nystrom, Edmond Massey and
Kevin Huelsman to fill in on the right,
so it will take a few games to solidify
that side. Fortunately, Jacobs has the wheels
to get out of trouble. The fact that the
line allowed a MAC-low 13 sacks is as much
a credit to Jacobs as the blocking.
OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
This system is sound enough to overcome
personnel changes, a fact that offensive
coordinator Greg Studrawa proved when Jacobs
took over for star Josh Harris with optimal
results. So don't expect much drop-off,
if any. With a year as starter to grow on,
Jacobs will be even better, and his skills
as a leader are the team's most crucial
need from Omar. A weekly bulls-eye on #4
means foes will make other factors beat
them, and that's where Jacobs' ability to
draw defenders as a decoy and then get the
ball to whomever can score will be tested.
And that all depends on how quickly the
line is able to regroup. No one could stop
his/their aerial attack in the red-zone
(most TD passes in all I-A with 41), and
Omar's feet shall make this so again, shooting
his Heisman stock sky high by early November.
Look for many more developments in the passing
schemes with Omar past his first-year gitters
(if there were any). Jacobs and his backs
will still accomplish, but a poor line will
diminish continuity here and therefore any
hopes of winning the MAC East. There's so
much balance here, though, that most MAC
defenses will be beaten and their offenses
will then have to focus on trying to outgun
the Falcons.
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QB
Omar Jacobs
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BOWLING
GREEN 2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Omar
Jacobs-Jr (6-4, 224) |
Anthony
Turner-Fr (6-2, 218) |
TB |
P.J.
Pope-Sr (5-9, 216) |
B.J.
Lane-Sr (5-10, 191) |
WR |
Derrick
Lett-Sr (6-0, 181) |
Kenneth
Brantley-Jr (5-11, 196) |
WR |
Charles
Sharon-Sr (6-1, 178) |
Luke
Alexander-Fr (6-0, 170)
Brandon Jones-Jr (6-0, 167) |
E |
Steve
Sanders-Sr (6-3, 201) |
Marques
Parks-Fr (5-11, 180) |
TE |
Sean
O'Drobinak-So (6-4, 249) |
Ruben
Ruiz-Jr (6-4, 245) |
OT |
Rob
Warren-Sr (6-6, 296) |
Kevin
Huelsman-So (6-5, 284) |
OG |
Kory
Lichtensteiger-So (6-3, 300) |
Edmond
Massey-So (6-3, 289) |
C |
John
Lanning-Jr (6-4, 294) |
Jonathan
Culp-Sr (6-6, 288) |
OG |
Derrick
Markray-Jr (6-5, 341) |
Patrick
Watson-So (6-5, 293) |
OT |
Drew
Nystrom-So (6-5, 304) |
Jeffrey
Fink-Fr (6-5, 278) |
K |
Josef
Timchenko-Sr (6-4, 221) |
.. |
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2005
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
This
team should have another solid front with
almost the entire two-deep from the GMAC
Bowl returning. DEs Mitchell Crossley and
Devon Parks, a pair of athletic pass rushers
who are just as tough against the run, will
only struggle against Wisconsin, but the
early character-building will toughen the
resolve here and then pay huge dividends.
NT Mike Thaler anchors the middle with his
low center of gravity and strong plugging
technique. Redshirt junior Brad Williams
is built more like an end, but uses his
quickness to make plays and occupy two OL-hats
at DT, as does senior Monty Cooley. And
though both are undersized for the middle,
they will rotate and stay fresh so potential
here WILL be reached. This isn't the most
powerful group in the MAC, but such experience
will improve BG's pass rush (from 23 sacks)
to help a young secondary. The new LBs will
need this unit to be as solid as it can,
and look for them to step up accordingly.
Linebacker
While
never spectacular, the LBs have been small,
fast and dependable the past few seasons,
and that should continue even with the loss
of two starters. Weakside backer Ted Piepkow,
the team's No. 2 tackler last fall, is toughest
in pass protection. If Piepkow doesn't move,
Jamien Johnson, an athletic special teams
performer, will crack the starting lineup
in the middle, while quickster (fifth-year
senior) Lavelle Sharpe will take over the
strong-side spot. Inexperience in the unit
is of concern, but not as much as size.
Brighton (Mich.) recruit Nick Lawrence represents
the same small, quick, tenacious LBs awaiting
reps, so the future is still about scurrying
and swarming to foes, not physically intimidating
them.
Defensive
Back
This
unit, which replaces both safeties, joins
the O-line as areas/units of concern. This
is a team that ranked in the bottom third
for aerial yardage allowed (104th), but
stiffened to a top third ranking for that
all-important efficiency rating (36th).
Ergo, pass defense here reflects a basic
approach - bend, don't break, and do it
by keeping the play in front of you. Jelani
Jordan is a ball-hawk (6th in I-A for passes
defended) and a strong open-field tackler.
Their top-cover corner's counterpart, Terrill
Mayberry (4.5 speed), is one of the team's
fastest and will be better after starting
assignments challenged the now-senior. Jordan
and Mayberry are not huge, so larger WRs
will be able to their size against either.
Fifth-year senior Mike Crumpler brings strong
tackling ability (more than in his ability
in coverage) to the strong safety spot,
while redshirt sophs Deaudre Perry and Loren
Hargrove are quick, athletic, but inexperienced
free safeties. While this group will struggle
with so many back-ups being (real-game)
tested, they will gel through midseason
and again be marginally worthy by the end.
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
With
re-tooling LB and DB groups, that solid
front four will be more of a force. And
because they don't have any real stars (well,
Jordan), this side of the ball can therefore
function in the truest, most impacting form
- as a team. There's enough ability here
to maintain being the 43rd-rated in points
allowed, yet still improve on being 69th
for total effort. As stated above in the
secondary unit, giving up yards isn't as
important as giving up points, so this approach
works with such a good offense. And if the
offense can keep them off the field more
(-0:16 TOP differential), then those breaking
into the two-deep can have those extra few,
precious moments of tutelage and coaching
that will make everything then (with fresher
legs) work. This is a small group that will
find it tough going against Wisconsin, but
should compete well with Boise, Miami (OH)
and Toledo. Measure this D by how much it
improves on allowing foes to convert 40%
of their third-down attempts.
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WR
Charles Sharon
|
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BOWLING
GREEN 2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Brad
Williams-Jr (6-3, 259) |
Brandon
Mack-So (6-3, 245) |
NG |
Mike
Thaler-Sr (6-1, 281) |
Brandon
Curtis-Fr (6-2, 280) |
DT |
Monte
Cooley-Sr (6-2, 276) |
Thomas
Smith-Jr (6-0, 269) |
DE |
Devon
Parks-Jr (6-3, 239) |
Joe
Schaefer-Fr (6-4, 250) |
SLB |
Terrel
White-Jr (5-10, 232) |
Lavelle
Sharpe-Sr (5-11, 220) |
MLB |
Jamien
Johnson-Sr (6-1, 232) |
Aaron
Burkart-Sr (6-1, 216) |
WLB |
Teddy
Piepkow-Sr (6-0, 228) |
Jon
Jakubowski-Jr (6-1, 217) |
CB |
Jelani
Jordan-Sr (5-10, 177) |
John
Nicholson-Sr (5-9, 190) |
CB |
Terrill
Mayberry-Sr (5-11, 169) |
Van
Johnson-Jr (6-1, 197) |
SS |
Mike
Crumpler-Sr (5-11, 191) |
Nate
Waldron-Fr (5-11, 195) |
FS |
Tim
Arnold-Sr (5-9, 200) |
Erique
Dozier-Fr (6-1, 195) |
P |
Nate
Fry-Sr (5-10, 211) |
.. |
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2005
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker
Josef
Timchenko, a JUCO-transfer, will add consistency.
He's off to a good start, having booted a 40-yard
field goal in his only try. Timchenko showed he
had a big, accurate leg in 2001 and '02 also as
a punter, so his presence will help confidence
there, too.
Punter
This
position can be a liability, especially if the
defense struggles. About a third of Nate Fry's
kicks landed inside the 20, but no punts were
fair catches. The coverage team will improve with
so many hungry for starting roles. And though
the Falcons don't punt very often, this unit has
the talent to tighten so BG can win those (few)
close ones.
Return
Game
Sharon
(punts) and Lane (kicks) both make opponents pay
attention - each had a return TD. Expect more
of the same here, as even more yardage is achieved
with the eager underclassman pushing the envelopes
of blocking, too.
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