BGSU spring game a mix of work, play

Kickoff set for 7 p.m. at Doyt Perry

4/12/2013

BOWLING GREEN — The Bowling Green State University football team will play its spring game at 7 p.m. today at Doyt Perry Stadium.

And the contest, the next-to-last practice of the spring for the Falcons, will include a mix of work and play.

“It’s a chance to get out there in a game environment, and it’s a lot of fun,” senior quarterback Matt Schilz said. “But it’s also a work environment.

“We’re going to treat every rep like it’s a game rep. ... You want to have fun, but you also have to put your work in to get better.”

BG coach Dave Clawson said he looks forward to seeing his team in action for the first time after 13 spring practices.

“It’s the first game-like situation for a lot of players on our team,” Clawson said. “The redshirt freshmen have never played a snap of college football.

“The refs will mark things off. People are on the sidelines. We won’t coach them after every play; we’ll let them play and then grade them out.”

Senior linebacker Paul Swan said he and his teammates look forward to playing a game in front of a crowd rather than going through another practice.

“We’re out here every day, getting here early and working hard,” he said.

“This gives us a chance to show everyone the hard work we’re putting in.

“We have new guys coming in who want to show everybody the hard work they’ve done — and make a name for themselves.”

Swan, the captain of the White team, made senior center David “Chief” Kekuewa the first pick in the draft.

“I think it’s good to build the offensive line first,” Swan said. “I think it all starts in the trenches, and he’s a good leader out there.”

When a player was drafted, his backup at that position automatically went to the other team.

Orange captain Dominic Flewellyn, a senior offensive lineman, said, “I did some homework, watched some film,” before making junior defensive lineman Zach Colvin his first pick.

“I play against the guy every day,” Flewellyn said of Colvin.

“He works hard; he doesn’t take any plays off.

“I had to pick him for my squad.”

NOTES: Admission and parking for the contest are free. ... The format for the contest will include a standard clock for the first half, with the second half featuring a running clock until the final two minutes of the fourth quarter. Scoring will be similar to a regular game. ... The guest coaches for the contest will be BGSU Provost Rodney Rogers and Bowling Green Mayor Dick Edwards.