Bowling Green State University Athletics
Arnold Finds a Home
November 05, 2005 | Football
Nov. 5, 2005
By JACK CARLE, Sentinel Sports Editor - It's taken the better part of four years for Tim Arnold to find a permanent home on the football field.
A key member of the special teams throughout his Bowling Green career and now in his senior year, Arnold is a starting linebacker for the Falcons. Arnold will take the field Saturday when Bowling Green plays at Kent State with kickoff at 2 p.m.
"I enjoy being a part of the team," Arnold said. "You have to learn that everybody has a role to play on the team ... Everybody comes to college, expecting to be the star or expecting to be the man because that's what you were when you came out of high school.
"You have to wait your time until you can become productive on the field enough to play that position," he added. "Everybody has to know their role so the team can go on and continue to get better; it's all about bettering the team."
At 5-feet-9, 208 pounds, Arnold fits into BG's system which stresses speed and athleticism at linebacker.
"I needed to find a home where I could be productive on the field and linebacker happened to be the spot," Arnold said.
"I'm glad that Tim has worked his way into the starting rotation. With him playing, we're able to have more athletes on the field," said fellow senior linebacker Teddy Piepkow. "He's real aggressive."
After making the move from safety to linebacker, Arnold has started four games, including the last two. After being in on a total of 35 total tackles in his first three seasons, he has made 43 stops this season.
"Timmy Arnold has played a lot of places on the defense for us since he's been here. He's got the athleticism and the quickness, he's just growing in the position," BG head coach Gregg Brandon said.
While defending the run is the first responsibility of a linebacker, in his position as the weak-side linebacker, Arnold is usually not lined up as close to the line of scrimmage as the other two linebackers.
"There really wasn't too much of an adjustment," Arnold said. "Coming from safety to linebacker there is a size difference, but if you have the heart and determination to do something, the passion, you can do anything."
When asked if he liked playing the run, Arnold said: "Of course, that's what football is all about. I'm getting a whole lot better (as a run defender)."
In addition to defending the run, Arnold must be able to bring pressure on the quarterback if needed and is expected to play against slot receivers.
"He's able to work out in space and be productive," Piepkow said.
John Lovett, BG's first-year defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, has helped Arnold make the transition from safety to linebacker.
"I've especially enjoyed the new coach, John Lovett, his coaching style and the player-coach relationship," Arnold said. "He makes me feel a part of it."
Even with disappointing defeats in the last two games, Arnold believes the Falcons can still reach the Mid-American Conference championship game this season.
"We're facing a little adversity right now," Arnold said. "You have to correct all your mistakes, mental, physical and then you just have to keep moving on ... you can only continue to get better. You can't really dwell on the past.
"It just comes down to the players executing the plays," he added. "All of our goals are still accomplishable."
