MILITARY BOWL NOTES
Fun is done: Bowling Green ready for work
12/27/2012WASHINGTON — The final public event for the Bowling Green State University football team before today’s Military Bowl was a luncheon Wednesday afternoon.
At that luncheon Falcons coach Dave Clawson graciously thanked all of the hosts of the event — then promptly laid down the law.
“It has been a great three days here in Washington D.C., but the field trip is over,” Clawson said. “The shows are over, the tours are over.
“This trip has a purpose, and that purpose takes place [today] at 3 p.m.”
The Falcons held a light practice Wednesday at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes before briefly appearing at RFK Stadium, the site for the contest. BG’s players all say they are ready for the game.
“We’ve got the tours over with,” junior wide receiver Shaun Joplin said. “Now we’re ready to get the walk-throughs and meetings over with and get the game started.”
Senior offensive lineman Jordon Roussos agreed, adding, “We’ve enjoyed the trip, but everyone is antsy to hit someone — and not someone who’s a teammate. We’re loving D.C.; the atmosphere is great and the people are awesome. I know the team is ready to bring it, because we’re ready to get after it.”
Clawson said he is confident his team will be able to get past the distractions of the bowl week and be prepared to play in the game.
“I’ve liked the mind-set of this team all year,” Clawson said. “We had a young team last year that was at times immature, but we’ve grown up a lot. Our guys know this is going to be a tough game, and they are ready to prepare right up to kickoff.”
GOOD LUCK CHARM? BGSU’s team host for the event has been Roger Brown, a former Virginia Tech defensive back.
Seems like bad luck for the Falcons, since BG lost to the Hokies earlier this season, right?
Maybe not. Brown, who was a member of the 1990 Super Bowl champion New York Giants and also played for New England, has been the team host for the winner in each of the previous four seasons of the bowl.
BOWL TRIVIA: San Jose State lineman Travis Johnson and Bowling Green defensive tackle Chris Jones rank among the national leaders in sacks this season.
Johnson is the leader in the career sack race, leading all FBS players with 31 for his career. Jones is third in that category with 28 career sacks.