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| | Monday, September 6 | |||||
| 1998 Record: 5-6 (5-3) | 1998 statistics | 1999 schedule Head coach: Gary Blackney Returning starters: 16 (offense 8, defense 7) Outlook It's easy to remain unnoticed in what's now a 13-team league, but the Falcons don't figure to be sneaking up on anyone this year. After two seasons of struggle (4-7 in 1996, 3-8 in '97) Gary Blackney's team found its footing last year. After losing five of their first six games, the Falcons closed the year winning four of their final five, averaging just under 40 points a game over that span. Bowling Green last won a league title in 1992, Blackney's second season, which ended with a 10-2 mark. Five years ago his team won nine games, but it's been a string of mediocre finishes since. With 15 starters returning and three of their first five games at home, the Falcons could turn a few heads in the Mid-American's Eastern Division. Offense Eight starters are back, but the search for a quarterback is a troublesome issue. A year ago Ricky Schneider shared time as a starter. The job should be his this season, but when given a chance at midseason to wrest the job from three-year starter Bob Niemet, it didn't work out and the final five starts went to the graduated senior. Schneider completed just 53 percent of his throws with a season-high of 178 yards coming against Ohio. After throwing four touchdowns with four interceptions last year, he'll have to fight off a challenge from redshirt freshman Andy Sahm. The top two receivers return for their sophomore season. Kurt Gerling caught 34 passes for 656 yards, earning MAC Freshman of the Year honors. He had at least one reception in each game last year. His counterpart, Robert Redd, had 17 catches and one touchdown in nine games. If he can take some pressure off Gerling (6-2, 195), the passing game should see improvement. Senior Kevin Steinke has eight starts in three seasons, but will have a big job filling the shoes of a departed all-conference selection at tight end. The running game will rely on speedy sophomore Godfrey Lewis and senior Steve Holmes. Lewis led the team with freshman-record 753 yards a year ago, but Holmes is capable of putting up big numbers. He showed that with a 27-carry, 220-yard performance against Kent. The line is probably the standout unit on this side of the ball. All five starters are back, a crew that has a combined 104 starts under its belt. Right tackle Chad McCarthy (6-4, 280) is the biggest talent of the group. He has 32 starts over the past three seasons. The left side of the line is particularly solid, with senior guard Mark Kautzman and junior tackle Rob Fehrman having started the last 22 games together. It's a good sign if: A veteran line provides stability for the QBs.It's a bad sign if: The QB situation remains up in the air. Defense A mix of veteran savvy and youthful athleticism will provide this group with the chance to excel in its second year playing a 4-3. Senior linebacker Joe O'Neill will set the tone. He led the team in tackles a year ago with 95 tackles, sharing time at middle and outside linebacker, where he is expected to play this year. Sophomore Chris Della Vella moved into O'Neill's spot in the middle and the unit didn't miss a beat. He finished the season with 45 tackles, including a season-high 11 against Western Michigan. The Falcons are expecting him to post double-digits on a regular basis this year. The line poses a bit of a concern, with the loss of three starters. Senior co-captain D.J. Durkin is the only returning starter, following a 33-tackle season in '98. Junior noseguard Brandon Hicks, who had two starts last year, will also see plenty of action up front. Durkin will play one end position and Abasi Thomas will likely play the other, although D.J. Owchar and Casey Williams could emerge as starters. There are holes to fill in the secondary, too. Safeties Karl Rose and Chad Long have experience, but both are sophomores. Two converted wide receivers, Ken Dobbs and Will Sullivan should man the corners. Size is a bit of an issue for each, but they have excellent speed and athleticism to make up for it. Sullivan played in eight games a year ago on offense, with eight catches for 93 yards. Dobbs started six games, making 31 stops. It's a good sign if: A strong linebacking corps powers the defense.It's a bad sign if: New players in the secondary must learn on the job. Special Teams Senior Jason Strasser will return as the placekicker. A pair of freshmen, Patrick Fleming and Brian Poltrone will fight for the kicking job. Fleming, who's from Ottawa, Ontario, averaged 44 yards on four kicks in the spring game. -- John Crowley |
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