Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Ready For Last Week Before Spring Game
April 08, 2005 | Football
April 8, 2005
BGSU Spring Football Report
Warmer weather has helped the BGSU football team as it continues to be able to practice outside and take advantage of the recent calm weather in Bowling Green. BGSU will host close to 200 coaches this weekend at its annual Legends of Coaching Clinic.
"We moved the spring game a week later than we had it a year ago and I'm not sure if we won't move it back one more week next year," said Gregg Brandon who is in his third year as head coach.
BGSU will hold its annual spring game at noon, Saturday, April 16 at Doyt Perry Stadium.
"I think it is a great chance to see a program that has been nationally ranked for three seasons and if you have never been to a spring game you will notice it has a feeling that is more intimate than a regular college football game," said Brandon.
Timchenko Has Shown Promise
Fifth year senior Joe Timchenko, who originally came to BGSU as a punter, will get the first shot at replacing four-year starter and NCAA record holding kicker Shaun Suisham. In a scrimmage on Tuesday, Timchenko made all three of his field goal attempts.
Patience Pays Off
Brandon noted several players who have been in the program for a few years have made a positive impact this spring. Junior center John Lanning, and fifth-year senior's John Nicholson (cornerback) and Lavelle Sharpe (linebacker) were mentioned for their performances thus far.
Pope Is having a Great Spring
Senior running back P.J. Pope needs 744 rushing yards, 590 all-purpose yards, and 12 TD to become the all-time leader at BGSU in all-three categories. Last year, he rushed for 1,098 yards, scored 21 TDs and had 1,603 all-purpose yards.
"He is having a great spring and is our best offensive football player," said Brandon.
Leaders
Each year brings a new style of leadership in the form of its team captains. The spring is usually the time when the new captains set the tone for the upcoming season.
"Mike Thaler is a tremendous leader and a great player as well," said Brandon. "Each guy fits into his role differently. They may not be as vocal as a Jovon Burkes or Scott Mruczkowski, but they can be as equally as effective. Teddy Piepkow and Rob Warren are two guys who are well respected by their teammates. Steve Sanders has done a great job of mentoring the young receivers and Omar Jacobs leads by example."
More Gregg Brandon
"This is the most depth at linebacker that we have had since I have been here."
"We are a work in progress."
"Our front seven on defense has good experience and depth."
"We are salty at cornerback with Jelani Jordan and Terrill Mayberry back and we have guys like John Nicholson and Van Johnson playing very well this spring."
"We don't have the experience at safety but Mike Crumpler, Tim Arnold, Erique Dozier and Nate Waldron continue to get better with experience."
