What they're saying about Bowling Green football in 2018

8/26/2018
BY NICHOLAS PIOTROWICZ
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
  • SPT-BGfootball16p-23

    Bowling Green's Jarret Doege throws a pass against Toledo. Doege started five games as a true freshman a year ago.

    Blade/Kurt Steiss

  • What they're saying

    "[Head coach Mike Jinks is] creating a nice base of talent for the next BGSU rise. We’ll just have to see if he’s the one in charge when said rise occurs. If it’s going to happen for Jinks in Bowling Green, we’ll know this year. We saw hints of recent recruiting paying off in 2017, even if results didn’t follow." — Bill Connelly, SB Nation

    "The call went out for a dramatic overhaul after the Falcons allowed an alarming 506.6 yards per game last season. Bowling Green has hired [Carl] Pelini to run the unit and brought in several new position coaches. With five of the top six tacklers returning, the opportunity for significant improvement is there." — Athlon Sports

    "While wins on the field have been elusive for Bowling Green, the program has found some success on the recruiting trail. ... If Pelini can work his magic on the defense, Bowling Green could exceed expectations and start piling up wins sooner rather than later." — Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel

    Facts and figures

    Andrew Clair is tackled by Brandon Perce during the Bowling Green State University spring football game. Clair stepped into a starting role as a true freshman a year ago.
    Andrew Clair is tackled by Brandon Perce during the Bowling Green State University spring football game. Clair stepped into a starting role as a true freshman a year ago.

    107.6 — Average all-purpose yards as a freshman for running back Andrew Clair, which ranked fifth in the MAC.

    0 — Times the Falcons won at Doyt Perry Stadium in 2017.

    5 — BG's projected finish in the MAC East, according to preseason poll voters.

    1983 — The last time a true sophomore QB had starting experience. Jarret Doege started five times last season.

    253.3 — Bowling Green's average rushing yards allowed last season, which ranked last in the MAC and fourth-worst of 129 FBS teams.

    4.4 — BG’s over/under for total wins, according to the South Point Casino.

    Projected starters

    Offense

    QB: 2 Jarret Doege

    RB: 1 Andrew Clair

    WR: 21 Scott Miller

    WR: 80 Quintin Morris

    WR: 18 Deric Phouthavong

    TE: 47 Dorian Hendrix

    LT: 74 Lorenzo Taborn

    LG: 65 Jack Kramer

    C: 55 Caleb Bright

    RG: 77 John Kurtz

    RT: 64 Austin Labus

    Defense

    DE: 50 Jonah Harper

    NT: 97 Josh Croslen

    DT: 93 Kyle Junior

    DE: 58 Brian Sanders

    LB: 1 Brandon Harris

    LB: 55 Kholbe Coleman

    CB: 30 Ty Redding

    CB: 14 Marcus Milton

    CB: 6 Monte Gregory

    FS: 13 Jamari Bozeman

    SS: 4 Fred Garth

    Special Teams

    P: 98 Grant Tinnerman

    K: 12 Nate Needham

    Contact Nicholas Piotrowicz at npiotrowicz@theblade.com, 419-724-6110, or on Twitter @NickPiotrowicz