This is the final story of a seven-part series breaking down position groups on Bowling Green State University’s roster entering the 2024 season.
BOWLING GREEN — Bowling Green State University won’t have many limitations when it comes to the quarterback position.
Multiple options in senior Connor Bazelak, classmate Camden Orth, and redshirt freshman Lucian Anderson III are at head coach Scot Loeffler’s disposal.
“I think we’ve got three guys right now that can all have roles, and I think it’s a strong room. I really do,” said Loeffler, who enters his sixth year as the Falcons’ mentor. “I’m super happy with Connor right now. I thought the last half of the season he played as well as any quarterback in the league. He’s a good player.
“Cam has great leadership. He’s a tough, tough dude. He has the ability to run the football and he can throw it well enough to hurt a defense. And then Lucian, as we all know, we’ve just got to make sure he can catch the snap but he’s a guy that every single time touches the ball can score. He’s so different in terms of speed in this league, and he’s really coming along. He’s getting better and better.”
Between Bazelak’s big arm, Orth’s hard-nosed running ability, and Anderson’s speed, BGSU will have opportunities to keep defenses on their heels during games. Bazelak and Orth both saw plenty of time on the field last season, while Anderson gained valuable reps during spring practice and will likely see more during fall camp.
“It’s been great,” Bazelak said. “Lucian’s definitely taken a step since last year when he was a true freshman, so it’s nice to have some continuity in the quarterback room with Lucian, Cam and I.
“We were all here last year, we all know the offense, and we all can help each other. It’ll be fun in camp.”
Here is a look at the state of BGSU’s quarterbacks.
2023 in review
After a little bit of a slow start to the season, specifically in the season-opening 34-24 loss at Liberty when Bazelak and Orth combined to throw five interceptions, the duo turned it around in the second half of the year. Bazelak finished with 1,935 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while completing 60.4 percent of his passes; he had eight touchdowns and just one interception in his last six games.
Orth had 486 passing yards, five touchdowns, and five interceptions, but made his presence felt with his legs with five rushing touchdowns. Anderson appeared in three games and had a rushing score as well.
BGSU, which finished second in the Mid-American Conference in scoring offense (26.2 points per game), was sixth in passing at 188.8 yards per outing.
Position coach
Quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator Max Warner has been with Loeffler since 2019. He was elevated to co-offensive coordinator in 2022. Warner, a former college quarterback and defensive back, has been in the coaching ranks since 2006, most notably at Virginia Tech in 2015 with Loeffler as an offensive quality control coach.
Probable starter
Bazelak. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound signal caller started all 11 of the games he competed in last year. In his college career, which includes one season at Indiana and three at Missouri, Bazelak has thrown for 9,301 yards and 48 touchdowns while completing 61.9 percent of his passes.
Most intriguing newcomers
Loeffler brought in two quarterbacks recently in junior Baron May and freshman Jonny Sorenson. May appeared in nine games at East Tennessee State the last two seasons after spending the previous two years at Eastern Michigan.
Storyline to watch
Can Bazelak and Orth cap off their college careers with their best season? Both players are entering their sixth collegiate campaign — Orth spent three seasons at Long Island University before coming to BGSU in 2022 — and they have appeared in a combined 81 games. With their experience and knowledge of the playbook, Bazelak and Orth could have their most productive seasons as long as they stay healthy.
What to expect this fall
Considering how strong the running game is with Terion Stewart, having a go-to target in first-team MAC tight end Harold Fannin, Jr., and bringing in several talented wide receivers, BGSU’s quarterbacks should be able to build off of its solid finish to last season. How the offensive line performs will be critical as well, but if that unit can provide enough protection and time to throw, Bazelak and company should be able to make defenses pay.
First Published August 2, 2024, 2:07 p.m.
