Optimism wins at BGSU spring game

Jimmy Scheidler tries to avoid a tackle yesterday during BGSU's annual spring football game at Perry Stadium.

Bowling Green quarterback Anthony Turner tries to avoid John Jakubowski (95) and Cody Basler (45) in yesterday's spring game at Perry Stadium. Turner completed a 55-yard touchdown pass to Corey Partridge.

BOWLING GREEN - The event marking the end of Bowling Green State University's spring practices yesterday captured a variety of attitudes.

The spring game was serious enough that coordinators Greg Studrawa and John Lovett hollered into their headsets numerous times from the press box, but casual enough that several dogs on leashes roamed the sidelines with their owners.

One attitude that was constant throughout was an optimistic feeling about the way the spring ended.

"There was some good football, some good, clean, hard hits," BGSU coach Gregg Brandon said. "It's fun to turn these kids loose and let them play."

In the 110-play scrimmage that used a custom scoring system, the Falcon offense beat the defense 44-33.

The game provided lots of looks at Omar Jacobs' successors at quarterback, sophomore Anthony Turner and redshirt freshman Freddie Barnes.

Jimmy Scheidler tries to avoid a tackle yesterday during BGSU's annual spring football game at Perry Stadium.

The highlight of the day was Turner's 55-yard pass across the middle to Corey Partridge in the fourth quarter, which scored the offense's second touchdown of the afternoon.

Partridge, a sophomore receiver, was the star of the day with seven catches for 106 yards.

"I went through my progression, and Corey was running down the middle of the field naked, so I gave it to him," Turner said.

Turner said what he worked most on this spring was developing the confidence needed to fill Jacobs' spot.

"The confidence level has to rise, especially being a starting quarterback," Turner said. "If your confidence level rises, everything else comes along with it."

Barnes also had a touchdown pass, an eight-yard strike to junior Matt Emans in the second quarter.

"Once we get in a groove everything just goes well," Barnes said.

One option that wasn't shown in the game but BGSU has worked on in practice is Turner and Barnes handing off

To each other.

"They're both going to play at the same time," Brandon said. "I'm not going to have one of them standing next to me, I just can't stomach that. They're too good."

The defense made noise, too, with a comeback to tie the game at 33 in the fourth quarter before Partridge scored his touchdown

Sophomore linebacker Erique Dozier delivered a booming hit on receiver Marques Parks, and redshirt freshman tackle Brady Minturn had an interception off Barnes.

Turner said he was impressed by the unit's showing.

"They had a different mentality," Turner said, "more focused and intense. In game-time experience, things change."

Brandon said the mistakes he saw from the defense were not unexpected because of its youth.

"We still gave up too many big plays," Brandon said. "We needed to get some more three-and-outs. So we've still got some things to work out in that regard. [But] I think they finished upbeat."

NOTES: Junior Kory Lichtensteiger and senior John Lanning have switched places on the offensive line. Lichtensteiger is now at center and Lanning at left guard. Eight players missed the game because of injury: on offense, Pat Watson, Chris Bullock, Rhett Magner, Jeff Fink, Andrew Stanford and Kenneth Brantley II; and on defense, Diyral Briggs and Thomas Smith. Walk-on kickers Nick Goss, Matt Norsic and Paul Belany combined to go 1-of-2 on extra points and 0-of-2 on field goals.

The Falcons have recruited a punter and kicker who will join the team in the fall.

Contact Maureen Fulton at: mfulton@theblade.com or 419-724-6160.