Bowling Green State University Athletics
Jacobs Earns Preseason All-American Honors From The Sporting News
May 18, 2005 | Football
May 18, 2005
Bowling Green, Ohio - Bowling Green State University junior quarterback Omar Jacobs, the 2004 MAC Offensive Player of the Year and a Heisman Trophy candidate for the upcoming campaign, was named second-team Preseason All-American by The Sporting News in its 2005 College Football Yearbook. He also was named the second rated quarterback in the country, the MAC Preseason Player of the Year, and his presence has made the Falcons TSN's early favorite to win the MAC and earned them a #21 national ranking in the yearly publication.
"I'm very pleased for Omar and pleased for our team,"said BGSU Football Coach Gregg Brandon. "You want to be in a program that has lofty expectations and we're excited for the upcoming season."
In a conference that has had several high-profile quarterbacks in recent years, Jacobs is coming off a season that is without a doubt the best of any first-year starter in league history. He was named first-team All-MAC and named MAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2004 after he set a MAC record by being responsible for 45 TDs (rushing and passing) and set an NCAA record with a 41 to 4 touchdown to interception ratio.
He also set a league record with his national leading 41 scoring strikes and led the nation in points responsible for (22.5). He was second in the country in total offense (358.1), passing yards (4,002) and was third in passing efficiency (167.2) and fourth in completions per game (25.6).
For the season, Jacobs completed 309 of 462 passes for 4,002 yards. He also has rushed for 300 yards and four TDs. He was named honorable mention All-American by CNNSI.com.
Jacobs got a baptism by fire when he started his first collegiate game against Oklahoma. In that game, Jacobs held his own statistically with 2003 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. Jacobs also set a school-record by throwing 224 consecutive passes without an interception during a seven-game span.
In the GMAC Bowl, Jacobs was named MVP after completing 26 of 44 passes for 365 yards and a bowl record five TD tosses. With 4,302 yards of offense, he became just the fourth player in MAC history to amass more than 4,000 yards of offense in a season joining former Falcon Josh Harris (4,643 in 2003), Miami's Ben Roethlisberger (4,597 in 2002) and Marshall's Byron Leftwich (4,267 in 2002 and 4, 224 in 2001).
Although the season is still more than three months away, the national media has Jacobs on their radar screen for 2005.
The Falcons are scheduled to appear on national television four times at Wisconsin (Sept. 3, Noon, ESPN), at Boise State (Sept. 21, 8 p.m., ESPN2), at Miami (November 15, 7 p.m., ESPN2) and at home against Toledo (November 22, 7 p.m., ESPN2).
In addition, outlets such as ESPN's College Gameday, Sports Illustrated, and the Orlando Sentinel have contacted the BGSU Athletic Communications Office this week to inquire about the Falcons and their quarterback.
Jacobs, a native of Delray Beach, is currently home and will receive the Amateur Athlete of the Year Award presented by the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame. Jacobs will be honored Sunday May 22, 2005 at the PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
What they are saying about Omar Jacobs
Bruce Feldman, ESPN.com
"If he matches his numbers from last year (41 TDs, 4 INTs), he should get invited to NYC for the Heisman."
Pat Forde, ESPN.com
"If you want a dark-horse candidate for the '05 Heisman, try the guy who threw 41 touchdown passes this season, including five against Memphis."
"Omar Jacobs might be the top returning quarterback in the country, non-Matt Leinart Division."
"Omar Jacobs at the controls of Gregg Brandon's high-octane offense at Bowling Green. Few MAC players get a chance to start a season as a first-tier Heisman Trophy candidate, but this guy has earned it."
Ivan Maisel, ESPN.com
"Bowling Green quarterback Omar Jacobs is an exciting player, and his arm and athleticism make the Falcons the MAC's best chance to break through the BCS barrier."
Luke Winn, CNNSI.com
"Jacobs is still far from a household name, but he'll begin 2005 on the radar as the top non-BCS-conference candidate. That should help. In the springtime: Jacobs tore up the Falcons' spring game on April 16, completing 24 of 38 passes for 441 yards and a sextet of TDs. Nevermind that BGSU lost a trio of receivers to graduation -- freshman wideouts Corey Partridge and Luke Alexander combined for five TDs in the scrimmage. Jacobs' message to the young players', as told to the Toledo Blade: "Just get open, and I'll find you."
Pete Prisco, CBS.Sportsline.com
"Another quarterback with good size (6-4) and the athletic ability to make people respect his feet. Jacobs really came on strong last season and should move his way into the first round next April."
