Bowling Green State University Athletics
2001 Falcon Football Position Preview
August 11, 2001 | Football
Aug. 11, 2001
This is the first in a series of position-by-position looks at the 2001 BGSU football team.
QUOTING COACH MEYER
"This is a talented group of players. They need to play up to their potential each week. We are counting on them to be the strength of our defense. Hicks, Wingrove, and Glantzis have the ability to be all-conference players. Owchar needs to become a playmaker, and we need to develop some depth here as well."
THE PLAYERS
Senior nose tackle Brandon Hicks finished among the conference leaders in sacks (eight) and in tackles for a loss (13). He also had two blocked kicks, a pass deflection, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and two QB hurries, totalling 47 tackles. Hicks was named first-team All-MAC by The Sporting News and was a second-team choice by the conference coaches.
Junior defensive tackle D.J. Owchar had 27 tackles, 2.5 sacks, four pass deflections and four QB hurries. Senior defensive end Ryan Wingrove was second on the team with 13 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks. He also had 35 tackles. Hicks, Owchar and Wingrove each started every game for the Falcons last season.
Senior Chris Glantzis will likely start at the other defensive end spot. He had 35 tackles, five TFLs, 2 1/2 sacks, three QB hurries, a deflection, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. His younger brother, Alex, had 17 tackles and a sack in a reserve role and will play defensive tackle.
Junior end Will Teague saw extensive action on special teams and had three stops. Sophomore end Rick Mauer, freshman end Ron Blue, freshman nose guard Andy Grubb and sophomore nose guard Robert Haley are young players looking to gain experience.
SPRING GAME HIGHLIGHTS
Teague had five tackles and a sack and Hicks added four stops for the Brown team ... Chris Glantzis had three tackles in the contest ... Alex Glantzis also had two for the Orange team.
PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
Left End
Ryan Wingrove (6-3, 250, 5-Sr.)
Rick Mauer (6-3, 240, r-So.)
Ron Blue (6-3, 255, r-Fr.)
Defensive Tackle
D.J. Owchar (6-3, 275, r-Jr.)
Alex Glantzis (6-4, 260, Jr.)
Nose Guard
Brandon Hicks (6-2, 250, 5-Sr.)
Andy Grubb (6-4, 255, r-Fr.)
Robert Haley (6-4, 250, r-So.)
DEFENSE KEY TO FALCON SUCCESS
The Falcon defensive unit finished fourth in the MAC allowing 351.9 yards per game. BGSU also finished fourth in the league in rush defense allowing 132.3 yards per game.
The Falcons had 30 sacks last season after having 16 in all of 1999. That mark was the second-best in the MAC. The Falcons 11 interceptions eclipsed the team total of three from 1999.
Twice last season, the Falcon defense did not allow a touchdown and the result was a BGSU victory. The Falcons did not allow an offensive touchdown against Kent State or Eastern Michigan.
2000 GAME-BY-GAME DEFENSIVE NOTES
Michigan: BG allows 21 points and just 93 yards rushing through three quarters
Pittsburgh: Panthers amass three points and 10 yards in first quarter, Falcons force two fumbles
Temple: Falcons force three turnovers
Buffalo: BG allows six first downs and seven points over the final 36 minutes
Kent State: BGSU defense scored a touchdown on their own, and did not allow a TD
Akron: Falcons hold Zips scoreless for final 27:19
Miami: BGSU holds RedHawks scoreless for first 42:23, completing a streak of 69:42 in which the Falcons hold the opponents without a point
Eastern Michigan: Falcons allow just 59 yards rushing and no touchdowns
Marshall: BGSU allows no touchdowns in first 55 minutes
Ohio: Falcons allow only 17 yards passing and return an interception for a touchdown
DEFENSIVE LINE
Right End
Chris Glantzis (6-4, 280, 5-Sr.)
Will Teague (6-5, 220, Jr.)
