Coach: Scott Loeffler - third year
2020 Results: 0-5 overall and MAC
2021 MAC Media Prediction: Last in MAC East
You know your team is young when roughly half of the squad has not been to a (college) football camp. It’s not an ideal situation, of course, but head coach Scott Loeffler recently noted youth is certainly part of 2021 Falcon football.
Bowling Green was young last year, and that certainly played a role in the team’s 0-5 finish. Two stats summarize the Falcons struggles. They scored a league worst 11.4 points per game and surrendered a MAC worst 45.0 ppg.
Suffice it to say, winning this year will require improvement on both sides of the ball, but getting the offense going could create some momentum.
Here's more on the Falcons . . .
>> Quarterback Matt McDonald struggled last year, connecting on just 44 percent of his passes and registering a 1:6 touchdown to interceptions ratio. Loeffler noted at Media Day that McDonald was injured, so the senior might fare better this time around. In any case, he’ll face competition. Among the QB challengers is Drew Gunther, a transfer from Syracuse.
>> The rushing game glass is half full. Andrew Clair transferred out, but Terion Stewart is back. He led BG runners with 295 yards and averaged 8.0 ypg. He also accounted for all four Falcon rushing scores.
>> Transfers also hit the O-line, so there is work to be done up front. “We had a bunch of undersized guys (up front), and you find out real fast how big and how strong you need to be,” Loeffler said of a young unit. This year’s roster is again loaded with freshmen and sophomores - perhaps a little heavier and stronger.
>> Bowling Green had one receiving touchdown over its five-game season. Tight end Quinten Morris, who led Falcon receivers, is now with the Buffalo Bills. Two other receivers transferred. Tyrone Broden returns after six catches for 97 yards last year.
>> When you’re surrendering 45 points a game, your defense has multiple issues. What better place to start, however, than with stopping the rush? Opponents averaged 312 rushing yards per game and 6.3 yards per attempt. “We didn’t stop the run one bit last year,” Loeffler said.
>> Transfers -- including several of the team’s top tacklers - departed. Senior Walter Haire returns and Anthony Hawkins hopes to help plug the middle. Junior karl Brooks and Blaine Spires could help the DL step up a notch or so.
>> Sophomore Darren Anders registered a team-high 55 tackles in 2020. At 6-0, 230, he figures to be a key contributor -- especially in the Falcons quest to improve against the run.
>> Perhaps the Falcons strongest group on the back end, where safeties Jordan Anderson and Sy Dabney have game experience missing in many other spots. Camp will probably sort out who opens the season at cornerback spots.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
>> Matt Naranjo is back for his senior season as a punter.
Nate Needham, meanwhile, converted all six Falcon extra point attempts and went 5-of-7 on field goals in 2020. His best boot was a 40-yard kick against Buffalo.
SCHEDULE:
>> There’ll be a whole bunch of orange in the stands when BG opens the season at Tennessee. Home tilts follow against South Alabama and Murray State before ending non-conference play at Big Ten foe Minnesota. The Falcons defense will also get a BIG challenge to open MAC play when BG travels to Kent State. I-75 rival Toledo visits Doyt Perry Stadium Nov. 10.