Opportunity knocks for Falcons

8/12/2010

BOWLING GREEN - A golden opportunity for some players to make a case for playing time when Bowling Green State University opens its season Sept. 4 at Troy will occur Wednesday night.

The Falcons are scheduled to hold a team scrimmage at 7 p.m. at Perry Stadium.

With more than half of its offensive and defensive starters gone from last season, first-time starting job opportunities are plentiful.

"We're going to get the coaches off the field and make it as game-like as we can and see how they perform without coaches whispering in their ears every rep," BG coach Dave Clawson said. "That's what we need right now. We need to just let them play and see who processes things and can play an eight-play series and a 10-play series without breaking down."

The most-prized job up for grabs is the quarterback spot. Sophomore Matt Schilz appears to be the favorite, but Clawson has not officially named the Arcadia, Calif., native the heir apparent to replace three-year starter Tyler Sheehan.

Clawson expects the scrimmage to last approximately 115 to 120 plays.

"Typically for the first scrimmage I'd like to get a little more than a half of a game," Clawson said.

"The second one we may push it a little further and may get a little more situational work."

Tailback Willie Geter and linemen Ben Bojicic and Tyler Donahue make up the returning offensive starters from a team that finished 7-5.

Competition for a starting position on the offensive line, as well as playing time at wide receiver, will be on the coaches' radar.

Cornerback Adrien Spencer and linemen Kevin Alvarado, Chris Jones, and Angelo Magnone make up the defensive quartet with previous starting experience. The most glaring concern defensively is in the Falcons secondary.

LEWIS OUT: Scott Lewis, a 6-2, 294-pound offensive lineman, suffered a broken left foot during Tuesday's practice. The Northview graduate, who has earned a scholarship after entering the program as a walk-on, was projected to start at left guard.

"It's disappointing," Clawson said. "Scott's a good player and he was in the starting lineup, and he's worked very hard. You feel sick for him because there's a guy who has done things right and his opportunity came. Hopefully at some point this year we'll get him back."

Nick Torresso, a 6-2, 283-pound senior, has moved into Lewis' position with the first unit. Torresso played on the defensive line during his first three years.

READY TO RETURN: Bryan Wright, the University of Michigan graduate and recent addition to the Falcons group of punters and kickers, is looking forward to when the Falcons travel Sept. 25 to Ann Arbor to face his former teammates.

"I think it's going to be a fun time," Wright said. "I love all of my guys up in Michigan, but I'm on a new team now. We'll see how things go up there."

Wright, who served as Michigan's backup punter and place-kicker for three years, became eligible to play immediately for BG after enrolling in graduate school at BGSU.

NUMBERS GAME: The jerseys worn by BG's former quarterback Tyler Sheehan (No. 13) and former wide receiver Freddie Barnes (No. 7) will be on the field this fall.

Junior tight end DeMark Jenkins switched from No. 81 last fall to No. 13. Sophomore quarterback Matt Schilz switched from No. 11 last season to No. 7 this fall.

Contact Donald Emmons at:

demmons@theblade.com

or 419-724-6302.