Bowling Green State University Athletics
Gregg Brandon Quotes
December 19, 2003 | Football
Dec. 19, 2003
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University football team is in the midst of preparations for the Motor City Bowl. The Falcons will take on Northwestern University of the Big Ten Conference at Detroit's Ford Field on Dec. 26, in a 5:00 p.m. start. On Friday afternoon (Dec. 19), BGSU coach Gregg Brandon met with the media...
With the Motor City Bowl a week away, are you where you want to be in terms of preparation?
"We're getting there. We've got a good plan; we know we're gonna get 12 practices in for this game. Four of those were spring ball-ish, where we got a look at some young guys, and the rest are game preparation for Northwestern. I feel really good about the plan and the direction; the coaches are working hard, recruiting is going well, and they should be getting double-time right now. The bowl game is great for the program, but coaches work double-time with preparation and recruiting, and my guys are doing a great job."
What have you seen in viewing film of Northwestern?
"They're a physical team. They can run the ball; they're second-best in the Big Ten, and that's impressive, because that's a running league. Any time you can run the ball, that means you can possess the ball and keep a good offense off the field. So, our defense has to be able to keep them from time-consuming drives and keep them out of the end zone. That's what impresses me the most about Northwestern."
What are some other strengths that Northwestern possesses?
"Their lines are big; they have Big Ten size. They've got a defensive end that is a great player. He's a high-motor guy, he's hard to block -- nobody blocks him consistently in the Big Ten. Their offensive line is big and physical. Their left tackle, #76, I think the pros must be looking at him. They have a quality running back; he'll run it up in there, and he's shifty. Their safeties and linebackers will whack you. They support the run, they hit, and they're big and physical. So, we'll have to strap it on for these guys."
What areas of your team do you feel are strengths?
"Well, our spread offense -- we need to be able to take advantage of some mismatches that way. Josh (Harris) needs to have a great game for us to have a chance to win. We'll give him every opportunity to do that, running and throwing. P.J. Pope is a guy that could be big in this game. The usual suspects -- (Cole) Magner and (Charles) Sharon). But, I think we need to be able to run the football, as always. On defense, we're gonna move and stunt and blitz, and we've got to keep that quarterback off balance. They've (Northwestern) only thrown four touchdown passes all year. Shoot, Ben (Roethlisberger) did that in one game. So, I want to force them to throw the football. If we can do that, I think we can enhance our chances."
Have you ever coached a player as versatile as Cole Magner? Have you ever had a guy that can do all the things you ask him to do?
"Not really. Not a guy that could do all that stuff. That's a better question for a guy like (defensive coordinator) Tim Beckman. I think of Cole Magner when we played Akron two years ago, when (Andy) Sahm and (Josh) Harris were both hurt, and he (started at quarterback) and rushed for 98 yards and we won that football game. He lined up in the shotgun and ran the ball, and we won that game without our top-two quarterbacks. That's how I remember Cole Magner. He saved our butts right there."
