BOWLING GREEN — Bowling Green’s season opener against Oregon is down to 11 days away, but the Falcons are still in the process of deciding a few positions.
Before the Falcons step onto the field with Ducks, here are five positions to monitor during in the rest of August.
1. Backup quarterback: Jarret Doege is the Falcons’ No. 1 quarterback, though completing a depth chart under center is especially interesting in 2018 given the changes in redshirt rules. Someone like true freshman Bryce Veasley likely would have been off limits in years past to preserve his redshirt year, but players now can play up to four games and still redshirt the season.
Redshirt sophomore Grant Loy has the inside track on the second spot, but Falcons coach Mike Jinks will have options if Doege leaves a game.
2. Defensive end: BGSU will sorely miss David Konowalski, who will miss the season after suffering an Achilles tear. A few players will have a chance to make a difference in his absence.
Redshirt senior Brian Sanders started seven games last season, and both redshirt sophomore Roland Walder and redshirt freshman Jordan Murphy will have their chances.
No matter who starts, BG will need a better pass rush this season.
3. Safety: If Jamari Bozeman’s health cooperates, he’ll be difficult to keep off the field. A third-team All-MAC player in 2016, Bozeman missed last season with a hip impingement that BG feared might be career-threatening. Now, however, Jinks said Bozeman is further along in his rehab than expected. Jerry McBride III and Fred Garth are listed as the starters at safety, but Bozeman could change that if he can play this year.
4. Right tackle: Redshirt senior Austin Labus has 14 career starts and should be considered the favorite to play right tackle on opening day, though he missed the spring with an injury. If Labus isn’t in condition to play a game yet, 6-foot-7, 324-pound Matt Tanner is option here as well.
5. Backup running back: If training camp created a good problem for the Falcons, it’s that they have one football and several backs who deserve to carry it. Andrew Clair will have the lion’s share of carries, but redshirt junior Charles Lamar, redshirt sophomore Bryson Denley, and true freshman Ra’veion Hargrove all have made cases to play behind him. A kick returner spot likely will be decided from this group as well.
Contact Nicholas Piotrowicz at npiotrowicz@theblade.com, 419-724-6110 or on Twitter @NickPiotrowicz
First Published August 21, 2018, 12:00 p.m.
