Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcon Football Quotes: Week One
August 27, 2007 | Football
Aug. 27, 2007
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (BGSUFalcons.com) - Game week is here, as the Bowling Green State University football team continues its preparations for the 2007 season opener. The Falcons of head coach Gregg Brandon head to Minneapolis, Minn., for Saturday night's (Sept. 1) game against the University of Minnesota. To follow are a few thoughts from Brandon and some of his players as the Falcons get ready to Golden Gophers...
HEAD COACH Gregg Brandon
Q. Looking at the depth chart, did (DE Joe) Schaefer and (NG Orlando) Barrow emerge at the end of camp to take the starting spots?
A. Well, Joe Schaefer was on the verge of starting last year and tore his knee up before we even played a game, so he just bounced back from that injury and has won the starting spot. Orlando had a really nice off season and really got himself into great shape while doing a nice job at the inside tackle spot. He's definitely a guy that's going to get a lot of snaps in there.
Q. Will this give you more depth on the defensive line?
A. Yes, definitely. We will have Sean O'Drobinak, D.J. Young, Michael Ream; really, there are 10 guys across the front that I think can play.
Q. A couple seasons ago when you had those eight or 10 guys that you could rotate. You were very successful with that, and then for a while you haven't had that.
A. That's correct. I think we have that again; we just need to keep them healthy.
Q. Speaking of healthy is Freddie Barnes going to make the trip and is Keston Cheathem on the depth chart?
A. Keston is still working on that shoulder that he separated, but he did practice yesterday although he was limited. Freddie went yesterday full-go, and I think toward the end of practice he was kind of tired and fatigued, just because he's not used to all the running. He hasn't done it in a while. Freddie will be on the bus (leaving BG for the airport), definitely.
Q. Do you feel like this was a longer camp than normal or a shorter camp?
A. I feel like they've all been shortened since the NCAA went to the 2-1-2 set-up and the five day acclimation, I mean, it's not the same. I'm used to three weeks and multiple two-a-days and it just hasn't been the same the last three or four years. I don't think it was any different this fall than it was last fall, other than I have a more experienced team which allowed us to do more things offensively, defensively and in the kicking game than we did last fall.
Q. With (Minnesota's) Spread Coast Offense is P.J. Mahone going to be seeing some playing time?
A. I think that spread stuff is an illusion. I think they're going to line up two tight ends and pound us. If I was him that's what I would be doing. That's what they're built for up there - their tight ends are good players. Amir Pinnix is a good back and his back-up is fast! I think they're going to line up and run zone and stretch and play action.
Q. It seems like every year the team opens with a team that has a pretty good running game. Do you feel you are more ready this year than you have been in the past couple years?
A. It doesn't really make any difference (who we play). We have to be ready. We have to get ready to do what we need to do to win the game, and not really pay much attention to whoever we open the season against.
Q. Does an early-season game against Minnesota benefit you more than playing them in maybe week five or week six?
A. Definitely. It is the same with Michigan State, but we still have Boston College in week six. We are going to be matching up with some big, physical teams. Any time a team goes into the Big Ten to play, those teams are going to wear you out.
Q. Have you made a decision on who will start the season at quarterback?
A. Yes, Tyler Sheehan will start. He became an accurate passer and the type of thrower that I need to run the offense and be able to complete passes in our system. He manages things very well for us, knows the system and is able to spread the ball around. If the first guy is not there he is able to use his reads and his feet and arm to get us to the secondary guy or third guy. He's still learning and he is by no means a finished product. He's getting better and better every day; he's grown in the system and understands it better. I think Coach (Mick) McCall has done a great job with him and hopefully it will pay dividends through the course of the year.
Q. Is there any thoughts of putting Anthony {Turner} on the field and running?
A. Absolutely, Anthony Turner is still in the mix. It's important for him to understand that. He can still help us win football games. He's a great running threat from the quarterback position and Anthony can do some things throwing the football but we will still utilize him in that regard as well.
Q. Is Willie Geter your number-one running back right now?
A. Well, Geter is going to start the game because he's earned it by having a great camp, but we have to play all those guys. Eric Ransom is back to full strength and he's practiced the last couple days and seems to be full throttle from his hamstring. Chris Bullock is definitely in the mix too. He's proven that he can make yards running the football. All those guys, particularly Geter and Ransom, give us a good threat throwing the ball either out of the back field or putting them in the slot. Our challenge is to get two of the three on the field at the same time because with that kind of speed on the field it gives you different dimensions.
Q. They're running behind a pretty solid offensive line.
A. No question. Our five starters are definitely experienced and bring a lot of game experience to the table. I've always believed that if you have a good offensive line you can do a lot of things offensively. It's just like last year; when we ran the ball we were able to move the ball around and when you have that ability it gives you a chance to win some games.
Q. At the end of last season you said you needed an explosive running threat. Is that when you went out and got Geter?
A. I told my coaches we need (a player similar to former NIU running back) Garrett Wolfe and that's when they found Geter. Geter wasn't very highly recruited because he's not a very big guy, but he's a very powerful kid. A lot of teams didn't want to take a chance on him because of his size. He benches two and a quarter about fifteen times and he's quick as a hiccup. He's in Coach (John) Hunter's office all the time watching game films studying and asking questions. He just loves to play the game.
FALCON PLAYER QUOTES
SENIOR LB Loren Hargrove
On opening the season up on the road against a Big Ten opponent:
"Basically, we're just very excited for this game. We're going into this game knowing that we're not a team just to play a competition with. We're going in expecting to win and we know we have similar style of teams. There really isn't a dominant team at any position. Most positions are evenly matched and we're just really excited to get it going here."
What is the difference between this year's team and last, as far as being able to compete even more so this season with a team like Minnesota?
"The youth really has gone out the window. The team has really grown up since last season and they've been making lots of strides over the spring and summer. Everything has gotten accounted for throughout the positions and they're very eager to start. There is a whole new attitude that has been going around since the end of last season, that we will carry over into this first game on Saturday."
Can you elaborate a little more on the new team attitude?
"We're holding everybody accountable, from the coaching staff to the players. We've made big strides and big steps just to bring everything together and we aren't using the pointer finger to blame things on other situations anymore. We're just playing our game and taking full responsibility."
SENIOR C Kory Lichtensteiger
On starting his senior year against a big-time opponent:
"Its something that is not any different from the years before. We're always used to opening up with a big-time opponent and I think this year, even more so than years past, we've got more hope that we can actually compete in this game and give them a run for their money. I'm saying that because I think there are so many unanswered questions for both teams and there aren't any set stars on either team yet. We don't know yet who will be the stars, and I think that works in our favor and makes us a little dangerous."
How do you beat a bigger, faster and strong team?
"I don't know if they're bigger, faster and stronger. I think that is yet to be determined, but I think putting in enough time to be prepared and the actual preparation itself is probably the best way to beat a team like that."
SOPHOMORE QB Tyler Sheehan
On game week arriving:
"Finally, a game week after a long, long off-season. I'm definitely ready to go."
On playing Minnesota:
"Minnesota is a Big Ten team and, obviously, they may be a little bit stronger and a little bit faster than we are. But, I think the way that we handle ourselves and our game planning is really going to help us. The coaches know what they're doing and the players need to know what they're doing right now, so we're just ready to go and ready to show everyone what we can do."
Are you guys confident, and you going into this thinking 'we can win this game?'
"We're definitely confident and we think that we can win. You have to think that way. We know we can win if we just go out there, execute the game plan and go out there not being scared to make mistakes."
What is the latest on the quarterback situation?
"Right now, I'm getting a lot of reps with the No. 1's, and coach has just been telling me to go out there and prepare like I'm the starter. It is coach's decision and whenever he makes that decision -- if I'm the guy, then I'm the guy and I'll go out there and do what I've been practicing all spring and through all of camp."
