Bowling Green Preview 2006 - Offense

Bowling Green Falcons Preview 2006 - BGSU Offense

What you need to know ... Things will change a bit with QB Omar Jacobs leaving early for the NFL. While he was one of the greatest pure passers in Bowling Green history, he wasn't mobile. New starter Anthony Turner won't throw like Jacobs did, but the offense has far more now because of his running ability. The other skill positions are bigger issues losing backs B.J. Lane and P.J. Pope and receivers Charles Sharon and Steve Sanders with little overall experience among the replacements. The line will be the strength early on with three solid All-MAC candidates to work around.

Returning Leaders
Passing: Anthony Turner
52-86, 492 yds, 2 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Bobby Thomas
42 carries, 183 yds
Receiving: Corey Partridge
23 catches, 317 yds, 1 TD

Star of the offense: Junior C Kory Lichtensteiger
Player that has to step up and become a star: Junior RB Dan Macon
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore WR Marques Parks
Best pro prospect: Lichtensteiger
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Lichtensteiger, 2) QB Anthony Turner, 3) OG Derrick Markey
Strength of the offense: Offensive line
Weakness of the offense: Skill position experience

Quarterbacks
With Omar Jacobs leaving early for the NFL after a relatively disappointing season, it'll be up to Anthony Turner to build on the playing time he got last year with three starts and mild success. He has some huge shoes to fill following All-MAC stars like Jacobs and Josh Harris, but he has the size, mobility, and potential to be another top Falcon passer and should allow the offense to do more because of his running skills. Freddie Barnes and Tony Hunter have no experience whatsoever.
The key to the unit: Anthony Turner has to keep the offense moving and put points on the board. He needs to stay healthy so the backups can get more time to develop.
Quarterback Rating: 5.5

Projected Starter
- Anthony Turner, Soph. - 52-85, 492 yd, 61%, 2 TD, 4 INT, 53 carries, 170 yds, 3.2 ypc, 3 TD
Thrown into the mix when Omar Jacobs got hurt, Turner had a few decent moments, but the offense struggled against three bad defenses: Western Michigan, Akron, and Kent State. At 6-2, 226-pound sophomore is more mobile than Jacobs and has a good arm. Now he has to prove he can lead the offense to points and the team to wins.

Top Backups
- Freddie Barnes, RFr.
A decent all-around prospect, the 6-2, 185-pound Barnes is fast with a decent arm. He has the number two job, but he needs plenty of time and seasoning before being counted on as a starter. If he plays, he'll mostly be used to run the ball.

- Tony Hunter, RFr.
With a live arm, Hunter has the passing skills to eventually be in the mix for playing time. He doesn't have the quickness of Freddie Barnes and isn't going to be a threat to start this season.

Running Backs
The running game gets a boost with the mobile Anthony Turner at running back, but losing mainstays like B.J. Lane and P.J. Pope will hurt early on. Dan Macon and Pete Wincovich are going to be power runners, while Bobby Thomas will bring the speed and Chris Bullock will do a little of everything. It'll be a trial by fire all season long with the number one back likely to be different each week.
The key to the unit: A steady runner has to emerge to take the heat off the passing game. Few are going to respect the Falcon backs early on until someone proves he needs to be stopped.
Running Back Rating: 5

Projected Starters
- Dan Macon, Jr.
A powerful 6-1 and 210 pounds, Macon saw a little time in 2004 and redshirted last season. He has decent quickness but isn't a burner. He's sure to be mostly a between-the-tackles runner and will have to develop as a receiver.

Top Backups
- Pete Winovich, Jr. - 27 tackles, 2 TFL
More of a fullback than a true tailback, the 6-3, 234-pound junior is all power after coming over from the defensive side. He's a devastating blocker who might force the coaching staff to go to more two-back sets. If he doesn't turn into a tight end and starts running the ball, don't expect anything fancy.
- Bobby Thomas, Soph. - 42 carries, 183 yds, 4.4 ypc, 4 catches, 50 yds, 12.5 ypc
The leading returning rusher has a little bit of flash compared to Dan Macon and Pete Winovich. He'll be the speed option to run inside and out, and he'll be the most dangerous receiver of the backs.
- Chris Bullock, RFr.
A strong 220 pounds, Bullock will push for time with a little bit of quickness along with the potential to be a steady between-the-tackles runner. He'll also be used a bit as a fullback.

Receivers
You don't get better by losing 130 catches 1,883 yards, and 20 touchdowns of production from all-stars like Charles Sharon and Steve Sanders. The system is able to make stars out of decent prospects, and there are several good ones led by sophomores Marques Parks at the outside X position and  Corey Partridge at the H. The 247-pound Ruben Ruiz is an interesting target at the inside Z spot. Tight end should be more than fine with Sean O'Drobinak and Jimmy Scheidler each able the produce.
The key to the unit: All the young prospects have to shine right off the bat and make quarterback Anthony Turner look good; not the other way around.
Receiver Rating: 6.5

Projected Starters
- Marques Parks, Soph. - 9 catches, 114 yds, 12.7 ypc
The new main man at the X, Parks turned into a starter halfway through the season before getting knocked out for the year. He has decent size and nice deep speed, but it's asking a lot for him to be as productive right away as Charles Sharon was. 

- Ruben Ruiz, Sr. - 11 catches, 174 yds, 15.8 ypc, 2 TD
The former JUCO transfer went from being a decent tight end to now getting the starting nod at the inside Z position. At 6-4 and 247 pounds, he's one of the nation's biggest wide receivers and could go back to being a tight end when needed. He'll pose matchup nightmares for most MAC defensive backs.

- Corey Partridge, Soph. - 23 catches, 317 yds, 13.8 ypc, 1 TD
The team's third leading receiver last year was a part-time starter with his biggest game coming right off the bat catching eight passes for 160 yards and a score against Wisconsin. He does a little of everything well with the quickness to bust off big plays and be a good punt returner, and the deep speed to be a dangerous number one target at the H position.

- Tight end Sean O'Drobinak, Jr. - 9 catches, 1.3 yds, 11.4 ypc, 4 TD
A part-time starter last season, O'Drobinak turned into a major weapon of the season half of last season highlighted by a two touchdown game against Miami University. He's tough around the goal line and should be an even better blocker after bulking up to 262 pounds.

Top Backups
- Brandon Jones, Sr. - 1 catch, 3 yds
One of the team's most experienced receivers, Jones needs to finally play a big role in his senior season behind Corey Partridge at the H position. He's able to take shots across the middle and he knows the offense well enough to start if needed.
- Aaron Davis, RFr.
The 6-2 Davis will add more of a size and athleticism to the X position behind Marques Parks. While not as quick as Parks, he has the size and talent to quickly find playing time.
- Kenneth Brantley II, Sr.
Mostly a special teamer so far, Brantley is one of the team's faster players and finally has to make an impact after only making two catches so far.
- Tight end Jimmy Scheidler, RFr.
A star on the scout ream last season, the 20-pound Scheidler is a tremendous blocker and a nice athlete. Not as big as starter Sean O'Brobinak, he still has the potential to see time in all situations and be a major player in two tight end sets.  

Offensive Linemen
The line had all five starters together for every game last year, boasted all-star talent up and down, and was still average. Even with the loss of tackle Rob Warren, things should be fine with All-MAC performers like Kory Lichtensteiger and Derrick Markray to work around and All-MAC performer-to-be Drew Nystrom taking over at left tackle. This should be a strong run blocking line with several decent backup options to step in if needed.
The key to the unit: Form a strong pass blocking unit right away to give new starting quarterback Andrew Turner as much time as possible to operate. Run blocking won't be an issue.
Offensive Line Rating: 6

Projected Starters
- OT Drew Nystrom, Jr.
Nystrom grew into the role as a starter becoming a rock as a sophomore. Now he'll be one of team's top linemen at left tackle using his 6-5, 304-pound frame as a devastating run blocker taking over for all-star Rob Warren.
- OG John Lanning, Sr.
Versatile enough to play center or guard, Lanning saw time in eight games after getting beaten out by Jonathan Culp in the middle. Now he'll start at left guard with Kory Lichtensteiger moving to center.
- C Kory Lichtensteiger, Jr.
The starter at left guard for all 11 games last year, the 305 Lichtensteiger earned second-team All-MAC honors. He's a nasty all-around blocker who'll move to center where he should be the anchor up front and an all-star for the third straight season. He'll soon be playing on Sundays.
- OG Derrick Markray, Sr.
A mainstay at right guard last year, Markray will have to battle with Patrick Watson to keep the job. At 350 pounds he's the team's biggest lineman by far and is a crushing run blocker. Consistency, as well as his weight, will determine how much he starts.
- OT Kevin Huelsman, Jr.
The 6-5, 284-pound junior spent last year learning the job behind Drew Nystrom, and now the job is his. He's an athletic pass blocker who has seen enough practice time to be a fine newcomer.

Top Backups
- G Patrick Watson, Jr.
Watson will be back after missing time this spring with a broken arm. He has been a key reserve for the last two seasons and will be a more athletic option at right guard battling Derrick Markray for time.
- T Kevin Mahoney, RFr.
The 6-6, 295-pound Mahoney is a bigger option at right tackle than Kevin Huelsman, but he doesn't have nearly the same experience. He could end up starting if needed at either tackle spot.