Bowling Green State University Athletics
Johnson, Piepkow Return to Spark Defense
October 18, 2005 | Football
Oct. 18, 2005
By JACK CARLE, Sentinel Sports Editor - Maybe it's just coincidental.
Bowling Green's defense was much improved in last Saturday's 38-14 win over Ohio University, especially against the run.
In that game, the Falcons' senior linebackers Jamien Johnson and Teddy Piepkow finally saw a significant amount of playing time, after both have battled injuries all season. The pair expect to see even more action this Saturday when Bowling Green plays at Buffalo. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m.
Against Ohio, the pair were each credited with nine tackles and a pass break up while Piepkow was also in on a tackle for loss. The nine tackles led the team.
Ohio was held to 10 first downs, going 2-of-13 on third-down conversions, and had 239 total yards, including 68 on the ground.
"I think that's great for us," Piepkow said "That's more leadership on the field with both of us out there at the same time."
Johnson, 6-feet-1, 225 pounds, has been battling a knee injury for almost a year. He also suffered an ankle injury in Bowling Green's GMAC Bowl victory last season.
"It feels great, finally getting a chance to play football and not worrying about dealing with injuries," Johnson said about the increased playing time.
Johnson suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee on a kickoff against Temple last season. He had the tear surgically repaired last winter, but continues to have fluid drained from the knee.
"It's frustrating, but it's something that I know I have to deal with," Johnson said. "I really don't mind doing it. It's my senior year. I have to tough it out."
Against Ohio, Johnson said he was in for about 45 of the Bobcats' 60 offensive plays.
"They (the coaches) are pretty much leaving it up to me and I believe I'll be able to play the whole game (against Buffalo), no problem," Johnson said.
Piepkow, who finished second on the team last season with 81 tackles, was slowed during fall drills with a hamstring problem. He started BG's season opener with Wisconsin, but could not finish the game.
An intense competitor who shows his emotions on the field, Piepkow, 6-0, 229, was upset with not being able to contribute against the Badgers.
"It was an internal struggle, being my senior year and not being able to play," he said. "During the second half at Wisconsin, we weren't able to stop them and I wasn't able to be out there. It was definitely a battle I had to deal with within myself.
"Mike Thaler and Jamien talked to me after that game. I was in rough shape, they really took care of me."
Piepkow has recovered from the hamstring injury and is playing through a shoulder problem. He said he was in on 50 to 55 plays Saturday.
"There's nothing that's going to keep me out or anything like that, I'm good to go," Piepkow said. "I talked to coach (Gregg) Brandon and we wanted to be 100 percent by OU. I think we accomplished that and we're ready to go for the bulk of the MAC schedule and finish it off the right way."
With the two seniors on the field at the same time, Johnson plays in the middle and Piepkow is on the weak side.
"Jamien is great against the run," Piepkow said. "I think he's got a nose for the ball, in between the tackles, and he makes plays."
Johnson said he likes being "right in the middle of the action and I think I add a little attitude to the game and can get people motivated, get them to play hard."
As for Piepkow, Johnson enjoys playing with him.
"It makes you feel real good knowing that he's going to do what he needs to do to get the job done," Johnson said about his teammate for the last four years. "He brings a lot of intensity to the game. He helps motivate other teammates and gets us all fired up."
The bond between Johnson and Piepkow extends to the other four seniors who start on defense, as the Falcons make a run for the Mid-American Conference title.
"When things aren't going so good, you can look at those guys because we've been through it all. You know that you can count on those guys," Piepkow said. "Defense is all about trust and we've developed that, I think, in the time that we've been here."
