2022 Record: 6-7, 5-3 MAC
2023 MAC Head Coaches Poll: Fourth in MAC East
Scot Loeffler's Falcons showed significant progress last year, reaching a bowl game, going 5-3 in conference play and -- oh, yeah -- beating rival Toledo.
Two home contests went to overtime. Although they dropped a seven-OT home tilt against Eastern Kentucky in Week Two, a dramatic 34-31 win over Marshall the following week was a key to reaching bowl eligibility. The Falcons nearly pulled that out, as well, coming from 24-7 down with 12 unanswered fourth quarter points before falling 24-19 to New Mexico State in the Quick Lane Bowl..
Bowling Green lost standout QB Matt McDonald early in that contest, so Falcon fans got something of a preview on Camden Orth. McDonald is gone, but Orth is one of the 2023 Falcons quarterback options.
>> The Falcons ranked eighth among MAC teams in scoring (23.5 ppg) last year. They were 10th in total offense (334.7 ypg), 11th in rushing (100.3 ypg) and fourth in passing (234.4 ypg).
>> Bowling Green would like to remain among the MAC leaders in passing. With McDonald gone, the Falcons will need somebody to step up -- or step in.
Orth (6-3, 225, Sr) appeared in 10 games. Filling in for McDonald in the bowl game, he completed 14-of-22 passes for a total of 191 yards and one score. On the year, he completed 59.6 percent of 57 pass attempts, contributing 378 yards and three TDs with two interceptions.
Another quarterback option is Missouri transfer Connor Bazelak. He amassed 3,730 yards with 36 TDs and 27 picks while playing for the Tigers and Indiana Hoosiers.
>> "We've got two guys that can really play," Loeffler said before fall camp. "We're excited to watch them compete ... and see how things shape out."
>> Odieu Hiliare returns after leading Falcon receivers with 58 catches for 747 yards and six touchdowns. Tyrone Bolden, who averaged 15.8 ypc on 32 receptions with seven TDs has transferred to Arkansas. Loeffler, however, is confident in the Falcons fielding more playmakers. "We've done a great job of recruiting the skills positions. We have a couple freshmen that are fast as lightning and that will contribute."
>> Tight end Christian Sims (LA Rams) is gone. However, sophomore Harrold Fanning Jr. is a promising replacement. "He's young and he's raw, but down the road, you're going to look back at Harold Fannin and go, 'Wow,' what an outstanding player.'"
>> There is depth at running back. However, BGSU must raise run production after ranking ninth among MAC teams. Just eight of its 33 TDs came on the ground, and four of those were provided by tight end Harold Fannin Jr.
Jaison Patterson led the 2022 squad with 135 carries for 583 yards and a score. Among other returnees is Terion Stewart. The 5-9, 225-pound sophomore missed last year but flashed big play potential while gaining 412 yards and scoring five TDs in 2021.
>> Bronson Warner and Alex Wollschlaeger and Kameren Stewart return to anchor the offensive line.
>> The Falcons ranked 10th in scoring defense (32.5 ppg), 10th in total defense (419.6 ypg), 11th in rushing defense and ninth in pass defense (250.7 ypg).
>> Anthony Hawkins is back to hold down the middle of a 3-4 defense, but transfers will be moving in - either as starters or backups -- along the front.
>> Seniors Darren Anders and Brock Horne are back at linebacker. JUCO transfer Marquette Harris could also figure in the mix.
>> Bowling Green led the MAC with 38 sacks last year. More of the same is on order. With a blend of experience and talent in the secondary, the Falcons should be able to hold their own against most of the many pass-heavy offenses across the conference.
"I think on the back end, we are going to be so much better (and that will compliment) the front seven," Loeffler said. "I think defensively, we've got a chance to be really really good."
>> Corner Deshawn Jones Jr. appeared in all 13 games last year, starting 11 contests. Jordan Oladokun registered six starts among his 13 game appearances. Davon Ferguson played at Kansas before joining the Falcon program. He was among the nation's tackling leaders (14th) before being sidelined with an injury sustained in game eight. A season-ending injury two games into 2022 ended that campaign. It will be a plus if he can stay available this time around.
>> "I'm really happy with the back end," Loeffler said. "I think we're going to have some redshirt freshmen that are going to play on the edge."
SPECIAL TEAMS:
>> The placekicker role is a question mark, with fall camp hopefully sorting things out. Punter Sami Sir averaged just 38.4 yards per boot last year. However, he proved adept at limiting runbacks and dropping punts relatively close to the goal line.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Getting back to a bowl game last year reflected some of the progress BGSU has made. Certainly, MAC opponents are realizing the Falcons are dangerous.
As far as moving up the standings, A little more consistency would help, but knocking off some of the upper-level teams should be among Bowling Green's 2023 goals. "When you watch last year's team, we would play lights out ... (against some outstanding teams) and then lay a complete egg twice -- against Buffalo and Kent (State).
The defense has enough returning and/or entering the picture to keep Bowling Green in most games. Falcon fans will want to keep a close eye on early non-conference games to see how well BGSU is doing in replacing McDonald at the QB spot. The Falcons also need to establish multiple, legitimate targets among receivers.