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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Youthful Falcons Set Sights on Opener
August 31, 2006 | Football
Aug. 28, 2006
By JACK CARLE, Sentinel Sports Editor - With the season opener less than a week away, Bowling Green is still a work in progress.
The Falcons face Wisconsin this Saturday at Cleveland Browns Stadium with kickoff at 7 p.m.
"We're just so young, I would like to have another week of practice," BG head coach Gregg Brandon said after the team's scrimmage and workout Saturday night in Perry Stadium. "We need to see more reps (repetitions). The kids have not had enough practice seeing stuff.
"It's a fine line. You can only practice so long and so hard and then you need to get the ready to play a football game."
Brandon said the young secondary, with two sophomores and two freshmen slated to start, is one area that could benefit from additional practices.
BG's veteran offensive line, the running backs, the defensive line and the linebackers are playing well, Brandon said.
"The linebackers were a big concern for me coming in. I think they've come together," Brandon said. "All those kids can run. We're faster there than we've been in the past."
BARNES AT QB: Freddie Barnes has been announced as the starting quarterback against Wisconsin.
"I like the way Freddie Barnes is managing the offense," Brandon said.
Freshman Tyler Sheehan has been impressive in fall drills and could open the season as the No. 3 quarterback behind Barnes and Anthony Turner, who is suspended for the opener.
SMITH EARNS AID: Thomas Smith, a fifth-year senior defensive lineman, who was a walk-on, has received financial aid to help finish his academic career.
"It you can hang in as a walk-on for five years, I'm going to try to take care of you," Brandon said. "Tommy has done a nice job for us."
QUICK HITTERS: Sophomore Kenny Lewis, who is expected to start at cornerback, has changed his number from 16 to 21 ... Freshman Chris Wright has moved from defensive back to wide receiver ... Freshman Lewis Parks has moved from tight end to fullback ... Freshman Daris Smith, a defensive lineman, is out with a broken leg and is expected to be redshirted ... Fifth-year senior Van Johnson, redshirt freshman Rhett Magner, redshirt sophomore Scott Goodwin and redshirt sophomore Donald Sprenkel, who attended the same high school as former BG quarterback Omar Jacobs, have left the team ... Matt Emans, a redshirt junior wide receiver from Bowling Green High School, is practicing with a soft cast to protect his broken hand ... Wayne Larrivee and Chris Martin will call the action for the ESPN regional telecast of the BG-Wisconsin game.
