Bowling Green State University Athletics
Jacobs Is Nation's Top Sophomore Quarterback
October 10, 2004 | Football
Oct. 10, 2004
Bowling Green, Ohio - If statistics are a tool one uses to measure success, then BGSU sophomore quarterback Omar Jacobs has a leg up on his fellow classmates. Jacobs, who is in his first year as the Falcons' starting signal caller is second in the nation in total offense (341.6), third in points responsible for (19.2) and eighth in passing efficiency (159.5). All three totals are the highest for any sophomore quarterback in the country.
"Omar's doing a really nice job directing this offense," said second-year Coach Gregg Brandon. "Everybody wants Omar to be (former BGSU quarterback) Josh Harris. I think he's playing better than Harris. We have put a lot of the offense on him and he has responded."
For the season, Jacobs has completed 129 of 188 passes for 1,532 yards and 14 TDs, while throwing just two interceptions. He also has rushed for 176 yards and two TDs.
The Delray Beach, Florida native is hoping to follow in the footsteps of several MAC quarterbacks who have burst onto the national scene in recent years, including former teammate Josh Harris who is now a member of the Baltimore Ravens.
"Each week is a confidence booster," said Jacobs. "My first MAC game (at Northern Illinois) was a big one. Just to continue to get better each week with every aspect of the game helps me out day by day with the guys getting more confidence in me."
Jacobs (6-4, 224) also got a baptism by fire by starting his first collegiate game against Oklahoma. In that game, Jacobs held his own statistically with Heisman Trophy winner Jason WHite completing 24 of 41 passes for 218 yards and two TDs. White finished with 21 of 31 completions for 238 yards, three TDs and one interception in the #2 Sooners 40-24 triumph in the season opener.
In the last two games, Jacobs has led the Falcons to 1,149 yards of total offense against Temple and Central Michigan as the Falcons have outscored their opposition 108-30. He has completed 52 of 68 passes (76.8%) for 754 yards and 8 TDs in the last two weeks as the Falcons prepare for Saturday's Homecoming game against Ball State. He also has rushed for 95 yards. It will be the just the Falcons second home game as they opened the year with four of their first five on the road.
BGSU is 3-2 and 1-1 in the MAC.
