Injuries keep BG shuffling

10/4/2010

BOWLING GREEN — The Bowling Green State University football team, which is trying to bounce back following a disappointing loss Saturday to Buffalo, didn't get much good news Monday.

The status of several starters remains up in the air as the 1-4 Falcons begin preparations for Saturday's contest at Ohio (2-3).

Redshirt freshman quarterback Matt Schilz remains questionable for that 2 p.m. kickoff as he tries to bounce back from a shoulder injury suffered in the Marshall win.

“His situation is a lot like last week,” BG coach Dave Clawson said. “We had hoped Matt would be able to play last week, but we had to shut him down and he hasn't thrown since.

“He didn't throw [Sunday], and right now we have to plan as if he's not going to be ready to go.”

Sophomore Aaron Pankratz started in Schilz's place in the past two games. He struggled against Buffalo, completing just 12-of-37 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions.

“Our problems [in the passing game] weren't just with Aaron — we had some balls dropped and we had some problems with protection,” Clawson said. “But we have to create some competition for that position.”

That “competition” may come from redshirt freshmen Kellen Pagel or true freshman Trent Hurley; the Falcons had hope to redshirt Hurley this season.

Clawson said the offensive line situation also is cluttered entering practice this week.

Junior center Ben Bojicic returned to the lineup against Buffalo after missing the previous two games — Clawson admitted Bojicic wasn't at 100 percent — but sophomore tackle Blaec Walker was injured at Michigan, causing shuffling of nearly every spot on the line last Saturday.

“Without question [the shuffling] hurts us,” Clawson said. “Guys get comfortable at certain positions.

“But we won't get Scott Lewis back this week, and Blaec Walker is uncertain too. If a guy can't function through a full practice during the week, it's hard to say he'll be available [Saturday].”

Lewis is a junior from Northview who was projected to start at guard before suffering an injury during fall drills. He has yet to play this season.

NATIONAL NUMBERS: Junior WR Kamar Jorden had just two catches for 12 yards against Buffalo, but he still ranks among the Division I FBS receiving leaders.

Jorden stands fourth national with 8.4 catches per game, and his 85 receiving yards per game ranks 29th.

Sophomore LB Dwayne Woods finished with 20 tackles against the Bulls and now averages 12.8 tackles per game, tops in the Mid-American Conference and tied for second nationally.

Contact John Wagner at:jwagner@theblade.com or 419-724-6481.