Gator Football Week 1 Preview: Bowling Green State University
Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 3:49 pm
The Mighty Gators kick off the football season with a home game against Bowling Green State University on Saturday, September 1. Kick-off is at 3:30 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN.
Who are these foreign invaders? Let's find out. First, some quick facts:
[TABLE="class: grid, width: 750, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD]Name:[/TD]
[TD]Bowling Green State University[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Location:[/TD]
[TD]Bowling Green, Ohio (south of Toledo)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mascot:[/TD]
[TD]Falcons (until 1927, the "Normals")
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Colors:[/TD]
[TD]Brown and Orange[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Founded:[/TD]
[TD]1910[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Enrollment:[/TD]
[TD]20,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Notable Alumni:[/TD]
[TD]Eileen O'Neill, Steve Demos, Jimmy Light, Jennifer Higdon, Brenda Hollis, Alissa Czisny, Nate Thurmond[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Division and Conference:[/TD]
[TD]Division I - FBS, Mid-American Conference[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Head Coach:[/TD]
[TD]
Dave Clawson is in his third year as head coach of BGSU. His overall coaching record is 65-55. He was previously named FCS Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2007, as head coach of the Richmond Spiders. He was Phillip Fulmer's offensive coordinator during Phil Fulmer's final season at Tennessee, given the boot after presiding over the Vols' worst statistical offensive season in 30 years.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2011 Record:[/TD]
[TD]5-7 overall, 3-5 in conference[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Most Stunning Victory of 2011:[/TD]
[TD]13-10 win over Temple[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Most Embarrassing Defeat of 2011:[/TD]
[TD]A 55-10 loss at West Virginia.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2011 Record vs. Common Opponents[/TD]
[TD]N/A[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Notable Traditions:[/TD]
[TD]Home of one of the country's largest dance marathons. No, really.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Player With the Silliest Name:[/TD]
[TD]
Jerry "BooBoo" Gates (junior safety)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
2011 Season
The Falcons have almost nowhere to go but up after a disappointing 2011 season, during which 13 true freshman saw significant playing time. They were outscored by their opponents 346-318 last year. They averaged 122.9 yards rushing per game, and 261. 6 through the air. Defensively, they gave up an average of 203.4 yards rushing to their opponents and 202.6 yards passing per game.
Offensive Outlook
This year, they will be led by junior quarterback Matt Schilz, who actually had some good numbers last year, passing for 3,024 yards, 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Unfortunately for Schilz, the Falcons also lost six wide receivers to graduation, including his two favorite targets, Karmar Jorden and Eugene Cooper.
The Falcons also show some potential in their ground game. Sophomore tailback Anthon Samuel had a very good freshman year last season, averaging almost 94 yards per game behind a green offensive line. This year, with more experience, BGSU's running game could be markedly improved.
Defensive Outlook
On defense, BGSU returns seven starters with a ton of experience. Unfortunately, the Falcons' defense is only "experienced" in letting opponents score at will. Giving up over 200 rushing yards per game, it's easy to see where their weakness lies. They allowed 27 points or more in six of their eight conference games last year.
Prediction
My prediction? Pain.
BGSU isn't on the same planet as Florida in terms of talent, coaching or any other measure, really. Unlike previous seasons, the Gators will only have this one patsy to warm up on before entering league play against Texas A&M on September 8. I hope they make it count.
Who are these foreign invaders? Let's find out. First, some quick facts:
[TABLE="class: grid, width: 750, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD]Name:[/TD]
[TD]Bowling Green State University[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Location:[/TD]
[TD]Bowling Green, Ohio (south of Toledo)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mascot:[/TD]
[TD]Falcons (until 1927, the "Normals")
[/TD][/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Colors:[/TD]
[TD]Brown and Orange[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Founded:[/TD]
[TD]1910[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Enrollment:[/TD]
[TD]20,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Notable Alumni:[/TD]
[TD]Eileen O'Neill, Steve Demos, Jimmy Light, Jennifer Higdon, Brenda Hollis, Alissa Czisny, Nate Thurmond[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Division and Conference:[/TD]
[TD]Division I - FBS, Mid-American Conference[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Head Coach:[/TD]
[TD]
Dave Clawson is in his third year as head coach of BGSU. His overall coaching record is 65-55. He was previously named FCS Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2007, as head coach of the Richmond Spiders. He was Phillip Fulmer's offensive coordinator during Phil Fulmer's final season at Tennessee, given the boot after presiding over the Vols' worst statistical offensive season in 30 years.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2011 Record:[/TD]
[TD]5-7 overall, 3-5 in conference[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Most Stunning Victory of 2011:[/TD]
[TD]13-10 win over Temple[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Most Embarrassing Defeat of 2011:[/TD]
[TD]A 55-10 loss at West Virginia.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2011 Record vs. Common Opponents[/TD]
[TD]N/A[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Notable Traditions:[/TD]
[TD]Home of one of the country's largest dance marathons. No, really.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Player With the Silliest Name:[/TD]
[TD]
Jerry "BooBoo" Gates (junior safety)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
2011 Season
The Falcons have almost nowhere to go but up after a disappointing 2011 season, during which 13 true freshman saw significant playing time. They were outscored by their opponents 346-318 last year. They averaged 122.9 yards rushing per game, and 261. 6 through the air. Defensively, they gave up an average of 203.4 yards rushing to their opponents and 202.6 yards passing per game.
Offensive Outlook
This year, they will be led by junior quarterback Matt Schilz, who actually had some good numbers last year, passing for 3,024 yards, 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Unfortunately for Schilz, the Falcons also lost six wide receivers to graduation, including his two favorite targets, Karmar Jorden and Eugene Cooper.
The Falcons also show some potential in their ground game. Sophomore tailback Anthon Samuel had a very good freshman year last season, averaging almost 94 yards per game behind a green offensive line. This year, with more experience, BGSU's running game could be markedly improved.
Defensive Outlook
On defense, BGSU returns seven starters with a ton of experience. Unfortunately, the Falcons' defense is only "experienced" in letting opponents score at will. Giving up over 200 rushing yards per game, it's easy to see where their weakness lies. They allowed 27 points or more in six of their eight conference games last year.
Prediction
My prediction? Pain.
BGSU isn't on the same planet as Florida in terms of talent, coaching or any other measure, really. Unlike previous seasons, the Gators will only have this one patsy to warm up on before entering league play against Texas A&M on September 8. I hope they make it count.