Doyt Perry Stadium - Bowling Green, OH
The latter is a member of the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) and are looking for their first winning season since 2014. They finished 7-5 that year, part of a five-way tie for first place, and made their only FCS appearance.
The records were lean after that, with the Bears winning 12 and dropping 31 over the last four years. Coincidentally, Morgan State has gone through three coaches in three seasons. The latest is former Michigan and NFL running back Tyrone Wheatley.
Bowling Green, meanwhile, released Mike Jinks last year after his teams posted a 7-24 mark.
Here’s more on the matchup …
➤➤ Although the Bears finished 4-7 overall last year, they were oh-so-close in several other contests. Three of the losses were by a total of eight points and four were under 10 points.
➤➤ Despite finishing 2018 with a 44-27 victory over Norfolk State, offense was the weaker side of the ball last year. The Bears scored less than 10 points three times, with one of those games being a 9-0 win over Delaware State. The 18.7 ppg was 108th among FCS teams.
➤➤ Morgan State’s defense ranked 42nd among FCS teams in scoring defense (25.6 ppg). That unit has enough returning (eight starters) to be strong again.
The No. 2 and 3 tacklers return, as well as several interception leaders. Senior LB Ian McBorrough was a First Team All-MEAC selection with 79 hits, 9 tfl and 6 sacks. DB Donte Small also earned First Team honors, while senior D/L Rico Kennedy joined the Second Team.
➤➤ Quarterback DeAndre Harris returns after leading the team in passing and finishing second in rushing. Sophomore D.J.Golatt completed 63 of 118 throws (53.4%) with six TDs and four interceptions in mostly late season action.
➤➤ There’s some work to do up front as Morgan State replaces several starters, including an NFL draft pick in Joshua Miles (LT). Freshman Allen Jones may be part of the answers along the O-line.
ABOUT BOWLING GREEN
➤➤ New head coach Scott Loeffler has a lot to work with on offense as quarterback Jarret Doege returns after completing 62.2 percent of his passes, good for for 2,660 yards and 27 touchdowns. He did throw 12 interceptions and was sacked 29 times, so there is room to clean up some things while developing another productive offense.
➤➤ Scott Miller, a favorite target, is gone, but the Falcons should be able to develop production out of returning talent and the Washington State transfer Isaiah Johnson-Mack.
➤➤ Defense was a sore spot for BGSU last year as the Falcons finished last among MAC teams, allowing 40.0 ppg.
➤➤ Rushing defense was a particular problem as Bowling Green allowed 280.5 ypg - last in the loop.
For more on the Falcons, see their full preseason preview HERE.