MrHeadache's Thursday Night Football...Troy vs. Bowling Green

Troy vs. Bowling Green

Dave Clawson became the 17^th head football coach at Bowling Green State University on Dec. 12, 2008. Clawson brings 20 years of coaching experience, including nine years of head coaching experience.  BGSU head football coach Dave Clawson is the 12th youngest coach in the country and third youngest in the Mid-American Conference behind Temple’s Al Golden and Central Michigan’s Butch Jones.  Dave Clawson replaces Gregg Brandon who went 44-30 in six years at the helm of the Falcon program.  In a very limited time Clawson has hired eight new assistant coaches, a new director of football operations, two new graduate assistant coaches and signed 24 players to National Letters of Intent. Not bad, considering he has only been at Bowling Green for 266 days. First year Falcon head coaches have not lost a season opener since Harry Ockerman and the Falcons lost 12-0 in 1935.  The Falcons will be looking to extend their 6 straight home openers inside Doyt Perry Stadium. This will be the first-ever meeting between BGSU and Troy. The Falcons do have some familiarity with the Sun Belt Conference, having played Western Kentucky (W, 41-21) in 2007 and Florida International (W, 33-28) in 2006.  Quarterback development and pro production have been Clawson staples. Eight times in his 14 years as either an offensive coordinator or head coach, Clawson’s quarterbacks earned all-conference honors. In addition, NFL regulars such as two-time 1,000-yard rusher Brian Westbrook (Eagles), receiver Brian Finneran (Falcons), tailbacks Rabih Abdullah (Buccaneers, Bears and Patriots) and Tim Hightower (Cardinals), quarterbacks Stacey Tutt (Jets) and Kevin Eakin (Bills), and defensive lineman Aki Jones (Redskins) played for Clawson.  Not bad, considering the weapons Clawson will be working with on Offense with the Falcons. 

Write-up continued...

A Look at the Falcon Defense
The only concern is the Falcons return just three defensive starters from a defense that finished fourth in the MAC in points (23.2) and yards allowed (343.4) in 2008. Up front they have to find a way to replace all four starters.  Angelo Magnone (five quarterback hurries), Andrew Johnson (3.0 sacks) and Kevin Alvarado (16 tackles) along with a handful of other defensive lineman will be asked to fill the void.  There are some players upfront that have some experience, which is better than nothing.  At linebacker only Jerett Sanderson (68 tackles, two INTs) returns as a starter from 2008, but Cody Basler saw significant action last season, including one week versus Wyoming where he was named MAC East Defensive Player of the Week after recording six tackles a fumble recovery and an interception. Senior James Schneider, who had six tackles last season, looks to be the other starting linebacker heading into 2009.  Linebacker play should be pretty solid for the Falcons and they have some solid players here.  At the cornerback position, the Falcons will be playing two guys that have zero combined starts, while the Falcon safeties have played together most of their career, which helps significantly. Senior Roger Williams, who has made a name for him as a kick returner, will begin his first year as a starting corner and will be joined by sophomore Adrien Spencer, who will also be making his first career start versus Troy.  Having Roger Williams as one starter at CB is also a plus, and not a real hurt to their defense, especially since he is a complete athlete. The safeties, on the other hand, have 55 combined starts between the two of them, led by senior Jahmal Brown. Brown has started each of the last 35 games, while fellow classmate P.J. Mahone has been beside him in each of the last 20 contests.  Overall on Defense, the Falcons will start 7 Seniors, 2 Juniors, and only 2 sophomores.

Look for Coach Clawson to have his boys ready for the Home opener, as he tries to set the tone for the year.  Clawson will also like to get his first win under his belt at Bowling Green as his team will travel and play Missouri and Marshall before they return home and play their again.  Also, look for Clawson to stress necessary improvement for the Falcons when playing at home as they went 1-4 their last year.  No doubt this will be a tough game for the Falcons as they play host to the defending Sun Belt Conference Champions Troy.  I like the fact that there is a lot of new energy with Clawson, and he has a lot of success offensively, which is only going to help Sheenan and a relatively veteran offense become even better.  7 points at home with this type of QB is too much.  Let’s roll with the Falcons at home here.  After all, BG is 8-0 in home openers with a new head coach at the helm….

Bowling Green +7 (+101)