Falcons poised to fly even higher in 2024?
BOWLING GREEN FALCONS
2023 RECORD: 7-5 (5-3 MAC)
2024 MAC HEAD COACHES POLL: 3rd - Tie with NIU
By MRO STAFF
If the final six regular season games of 2023 are any indication, the Bowling Green Falcons appear to be legit contenders for a 2024 title game spot.
Miami and Toledo were favorites in the preseason coaches poll, but luring right behind them was Bowling Green. The Falcons and Northern Illinois tied for third . . .
2023 RECORD: 7-5 (5-3 MAC)
2024 MAC HEAD COACHES POLL: 3rd - Tie with NIU
By MRO STAFF
If the final six regular season games of 2023 are any indication, the Bowling Green Falcons appear to be legit contenders for a 2024 title game spot.
Miami and Toledo were favorites in the preseason coaches poll, but luring right behind them was Bowling Green. The Falcons and Northern Illinois tied for third . . .
Connor Bazelak was a big part of BGSU's late-season surge. (MVSmith/MRO) . . . in the balloting. Both have a talented group of returnees for this year's run.
OFFENSE:
Bowling Green finished second among MAC teams in scoring offense (26.2 ppg) and touchdowns (43). The Falcons were sixth in total offense (326.3 ypg), sixth in passing (188.8 ppg) and eighth in rushing (137.5 ypg).
BGSU lost just one of its last six regular season games. That was to arch-rival and MAC West winner Toledo, 32-31. A key to the late season success was former Missouri and Indiana quarterback Connor Bazelak.
The senior started 11 of 13 BGSU games in his first year with year with the program, eventually completing 61.0 percent of his 241 passes. That moved the Falcons 1,714 yards and provided 11 TDs (with 6 INT).
Unfortunately for the Orange and Brown, BGSU's top three receivers are gone. It's the one area where Bowling Green will need to find some help. Malcolm Johnson Jr. may be part of the answer. He previously played at Auburn and has the physical tools to be a nice target. Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. finished 2023 sixth in the nation with 623 receiving years and six TDs -- both No. 1 in the MAC among tight ends.
Four starters return up front. The experience should be helpful in protecting Bazelak and opening holes for runners like Terion Stewart (5-9, 225). The junior missed some time with injury, but averaged 6.1 ypc on the year while totaling 762 yards and eight TDs. His tough running style and production helps balance the Falcon attack.
OFFENSE:
Bowling Green finished second among MAC teams in scoring offense (26.2 ppg) and touchdowns (43). The Falcons were sixth in total offense (326.3 ypg), sixth in passing (188.8 ppg) and eighth in rushing (137.5 ypg).
BGSU lost just one of its last six regular season games. That was to arch-rival and MAC West winner Toledo, 32-31. A key to the late season success was former Missouri and Indiana quarterback Connor Bazelak.
The senior started 11 of 13 BGSU games in his first year with year with the program, eventually completing 61.0 percent of his 241 passes. That moved the Falcons 1,714 yards and provided 11 TDs (with 6 INT).
Unfortunately for the Orange and Brown, BGSU's top three receivers are gone. It's the one area where Bowling Green will need to find some help. Malcolm Johnson Jr. may be part of the answer. He previously played at Auburn and has the physical tools to be a nice target. Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. finished 2023 sixth in the nation with 623 receiving years and six TDs -- both No. 1 in the MAC among tight ends.
Four starters return up front. The experience should be helpful in protecting Bazelak and opening holes for runners like Terion Stewart (5-9, 225). The junior missed some time with injury, but averaged 6.1 ypc on the year while totaling 762 yards and eight TDs. His tough running style and production helps balance the Falcon attack.
DEFENSE:
The defense could start as many as eight seniors with seven returning starters scattered across the three levels.
Anthony Hawkins, a four-year starter, anchors the line. Linebacker Joseph Sipp Jr. was second on the team with 73 tackles in 2023. Demetrius Hardamon (6-4, 240) is a big and experienced linebacker who returns after an injury at Michigan in Week Three took him off the field last year.
Bowling Green ranked second in pass defense (179.8ypg) and fifth in pass defense efficiency (127.6). Safety would seem to be in particularly good hands this season. Darius Lorfils returns and will be joined by CJ Brown -- a pickup from Northern Illinois (No. 1 in passing defense, No. 2 in pass defense efficiency).
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Junior Alan Anaya hit 13 of 18 field goals last year with a long of 42. He's back, but others could also figure into the picture at some point. Sophomore Punter Jackson Kleather averaged 39.3 yards per boot (10th MAC).
The defense could start as many as eight seniors with seven returning starters scattered across the three levels.
Anthony Hawkins, a four-year starter, anchors the line. Linebacker Joseph Sipp Jr. was second on the team with 73 tackles in 2023. Demetrius Hardamon (6-4, 240) is a big and experienced linebacker who returns after an injury at Michigan in Week Three took him off the field last year.
Bowling Green ranked second in pass defense (179.8ypg) and fifth in pass defense efficiency (127.6). Safety would seem to be in particularly good hands this season. Darius Lorfils returns and will be joined by CJ Brown -- a pickup from Northern Illinois (No. 1 in passing defense, No. 2 in pass defense efficiency).
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Junior Alan Anaya hit 13 of 18 field goals last year with a long of 42. He's back, but others could also figure into the picture at some point. Sophomore Punter Jackson Kleather averaged 39.3 yards per boot (10th MAC).
Terion Stewart gives the Falcons big play capability with their ground game. (MVSmith/MRO) FINAL THOUGHTS:
Bowling Green was on quite a roll -- particularly offensively -- during the last half of 2023 and put up a pretty good fight against Minnesota (30-24 loss) in the Quick Lane Bowl.
The offense should again be productive if:
-- Bazelak and Stewart can stay in the lineup.
-- Johnson's addition, along with other receivers stepping up, gives Bazalak the downfield threats he can use to do damage.
There is still room for improvement on the defensive side and special teams. If those two area step up their game, the Falcons will again be a dangerous opponent.
Back-to-back road matchups against ranked teams -- No. 8 Penn State and No. 20 Texas A&M are early challenges for BGSU. Fordham and Old Dominion round out non-conference play. Among the key MAC dates, Bowling Green hosts Northern Illinois (Oct. 12), visits Toledo (Oct. 26) and finishes the regular season (Nov. 20) at home against Miami in what could be a huge game for both teams.
Bowling Green was on quite a roll -- particularly offensively -- during the last half of 2023 and put up a pretty good fight against Minnesota (30-24 loss) in the Quick Lane Bowl.
The offense should again be productive if:
-- Bazelak and Stewart can stay in the lineup.
-- Johnson's addition, along with other receivers stepping up, gives Bazalak the downfield threats he can use to do damage.
There is still room for improvement on the defensive side and special teams. If those two area step up their game, the Falcons will again be a dangerous opponent.
Back-to-back road matchups against ranked teams -- No. 8 Penn State and No. 20 Texas A&M are early challenges for BGSU. Fordham and Old Dominion round out non-conference play. Among the key MAC dates, Bowling Green hosts Northern Illinois (Oct. 12), visits Toledo (Oct. 26) and finishes the regular season (Nov. 20) at home against Miami in what could be a huge game for both teams.
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