Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcon Football Holds Media Day
August 11, 2005 | Football
Aug. 11, 2005
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - When media day rolls around, it's a sign that football season is not too far away. The Bowling Green State University Falcons are preparing for the 2005 campaign, and took time to meet with members of the media on Thursday morning (Aug. 11) at Perry Stadium. Members of the team took time to share some thoughts as the Sept. 3 season opener at Wisconsin moves ever closer...
Head Coach Gregg Brandon
Q: Everyone seems to be talking about Omar Jacobs as a Heisman Trophy and All-America candidate. How does that benefit him and the University?
A: All of the publicity he has been receiving has been great for both our program and for the University. Omar has been doing a great job of handling (the media demands). He's a great spokesman for our team, which he needs to be, since he is a captain and a leader.
Q: With all of the attention that has been focused on the offense, is the defense kind of unsung?
A: Yes. I think our defense is vastly underrated. In the six years that Tim Beckman was here, we were (ranked) one, two or three in the MAC in all of the major statistical categories. In last two years, we have been in the top two or three in scoring defense - which is really the only one that matters - as well as rushing defense, passing defense and total defense. We've got the offense to a championship level, and we need to maintain our defense so that we can win a championship.
Q: Is this the best BGSU team since you've been here?
A: On paper, it is a very talented team. We've got a few holes to fill, but I think, talent-wise, this is as good as we've been. Obviously, team chemistry is what needs to develop, and when we can get that developed, then we'll be where we need to be.
John Lanning
Q: You're listed at number-one on the depth chart at center to replace Scott Mruczkowski.
A: Yeah, those are some big shoes to fill.
Q: Can you talk about trying to replace him?
A: Well, I played behind Scott for two years, and he's a great teacher. He taught me everything there is to know about the position. Now, it's just up to me to put into practice all of the things he taught me. I still talk to Scott every now and then. Also, I play beside some great veterans, guys like (Rob) Warren and (Kory) Lichtensteiger. I feel like I have a good knowledge of the offense now, and as long as you play hard and do what the coaches say, you're gonna be fine out there.
Teddy Piepkow
Q: With all of the publicity Omar and the offense is getting, does the defense feel left out or lost in the mix?
A: No, I don't think so at all. We get to play against Omar and the offense every day. We have our good days, and they have their good days against us. I just read the article about Omar in ESPN The Magazine, and I think it's awesome. I'm so happy for him, and that exposure benefits our whole team. Omar and the offense had a great year last year, and we're expecting big things again this year. That's great for the program, and it helps recruiting and everything else. There's no jealously or anything like that.
Q: Is it kind of nice to fly under the radar a little bit?
A: Yes, definitely. At times last year, it felt like, if our offense doesn't score 45 points, we don't win the ball game, we don't get to go to a bowl game. That's definitely a challenge that we're ready to step up to as a defense. We've got to get better, and we're aware of that. We had a good defense last year, but there's a lot of room for improvement, and that's what we're looking for this year.
Omar Jacobs
Q: You lost a number of key players from last year, but you also have a lot of guys returning. Do you already feel that cohesiveness that you had at the end of last year?
A: It's still coming along, but we have some work to do. Now, we are getting ready to go into two-a-days. When those days come and the going gets tough, we find the chemistry, and find out what our team is going to be like this year. We still have a way to go, but we will just keep working hard.
Q: You guys are the highest listed team in the MAC in some of the preseason rankings.
A: We rarely look at that stuff. We just try to go out and play football and win games. Let all that take care of itself. If we win on the field, it really doesn't matter what (the polls say).
Q: You open the season at Wisconsin on ESPN. How anxious are you to show a national audience what you can do?
A: Every year we play a good team, and every year we have our chance to prove ourselves. This year, we have a lot of games on ESPN, with a chance to show what we can do. (The Wisconsin game) will be a great chance for us to show where we are early in the year.
Charles Sharon
Q: You have a number of nationally televised games this year. How does that help in gaining exposure?
A: I think it's a great opportunity to showcase our talent as a team. It gives us all a shot to showcase our talents and abilities.
Q: How do you like playing in BGSU's offensive system?
A: I love playing here. We play five wide a lot, or four wide. No matter what, there are going to be at least three or four receivers on the field at any given time.
Q: In addition to playing at receiver, you also return kicks, and you have been very successful there.
A: That's a team effort. I am just back there trying to doing my job. There are 10 guys blocking for me. I just catch the ball, make moves and try to make something happen.
Q: This team has had a 37-12 record over the last four years, but is still looking to win the MAC title. Is this the year that happens?
A: Well, that's the plan. We are working really hard on that. That's what camp is for. We just have to come together as a team, put everything together and, hopefully, that's what goes down this year.
Mike Thaler
Q: Can you talk about your feelings heading into the preseason?
A: We are real excited for the season. We have a couple of great games at the beginning, going into Camp Randall (Stadium) at Wisconsin, and then going out and playing at Boise, on the blue turf. We're very excited to get things going.
Q: Can you comment on the defensive unit?
A: We are real excited about the package we are putting in. Coach Lovett is simplifying a lot of things. We don't have a lot of stuff in right now, but the point of it is that we will be great at what we do. Everyone can look for the defense to really step it up to the next level this year and produce.
P.J. Pope
Q: A lot of attention is focused on Omar Jacobs and the passing game. But, you return, B.J. Lane is back, and a number of other backs return. How big is that for this team?
A: I think it is very big. From a running-back standpoint, we stay kind of low-key, but we are an effective part of the offense. If we are overlooked, that can be good for us. We just try to produce steady numbers while the passing game gets most of the attention.
Q: Is the direct snap your favorite play?
A: It's one of my favorite plays. I want to throw out of the direct snap, but we never seem to get around to it. I'd like to throw it to Omar. He tells me, and Josh (Harris) used to tell me, `just throw it up there and I'll go get it.'
Q: The national stage is nothing new for you guys, having played at Oklahoma, Ohio State, Purdue and in two bowl games over the past couple years. How big is the season opener at Wisconsin?
A: It's a big game, and I think it is going to be fun. Camp Randall is a tough place to play. We always love a challenge, and it is always fun to go in and show what we can do.
