Bowling Green State University Athletics
MAC Announces 2019 Preseason Media Football Poll
July 23, 2019 | Football
Detroit, Mich. – The Ohio Bobcats and Toledo Rockets have been selected to win the East and West Divisions respectfully in the 2019 Mid-American Conference Football Media Preseason Poll. The poll was announced at the league's annual MAC Football Media Day at Ford Field in Detroit and was determined by members of the league's media members. Ohio was also selected to win the 2019 Marathon MAC Football Championship Game.
BUY SEASON TICKETS TODAY!
PURCHASE ROAD GAME TICKETS (INCLUDING NOTRE DAME)
In the East Division, Ohio was selected first with a league-best and unanimous 144 total points. Following the Bobcats, the Miami RedHawks finished second with 107 points, while defending MAC East Champion Buffalo Bulls finished third with 100 points. Kent State finished fourth with 62 points, followed by Akron and Bowling Green.
BGSU went 3-9 a year ago, including a 2-6 record in the MAC, and the Falcons have turned Scot Loeffler to lead the Falcons into the 2019 season. An experienced coach with a proven track record in the Midwest, Loeffler has built one of the most experienced staffs in the country, which includes Associate Head Coach Steve Morrison, offensive coordinator Terry Malone and defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder (a former Broyles Award winner as the top assistant coach in the country). Loeffler's staff has developed more than 150 future NFL players.
Junior running back Andrew Clair, a Doak Walker Award Watch List member, and senior center Jack Kramer, a Rimington Award Watch List member, highlight an offense with the pieces to be potent in 2019. Sixth-year senior David Konowalski returns from an achilles injury that kept him out of the 2018 season. He is the on-field emotional leader for the program along the defensive line. Eight current Falcons have been named to a preseason All-MAC list by at least one major national college football magazine.
In the West Division, Toledo was selected first in the Division with 127 total points. Following the Rockets, Western Michigan finished second with 112 points, while defending MAC Champion NIU was third with 103 points. Eastern Michigan ranked fourth with 83 points, followed by Ball State and Central Michigan.
This reflects on the competitive nature of the MAC. In the last three years, six different MAC programs have competed in the Marathon MAC Football Championship Game and every football program has received an invitation to a bowl game during the last seven years (2012-18). BGSU advanced to the MAC Championship game in three consecutive seasons from 2013-15, winning MAC championships in both 2013 and 2015. The Falcons advanced to a bowl game each season from 2012-15. In total, Bowling Green has won 12 MAC Championships and is one of the most decorated programs in league history.
The 2019 season kicks off on Thursday, August 29 and the 2019 Marathon MAC Football Championship Game is Saturday, December 7 at Noon ET on ESPN or ESPN2 from Ford Field. Bowling Green hosts Morgan State on Aug. 29 at 7:00 pm to kick off the Loeffler era. The Falcons host Louisiana Tech for Homecoming Sept. 14 at 5:00 pm and welcome rival Toledo to Doyt L. Perry Stadium Oct. 12. That contest is Family Weekend as well as a celebration of the 100th anniversary of BGSU Football.
The complete poll follows:
Team (First Place Votes), Points
MAC East Division
1. Ohio (24), 144
2. Miami, 107
3. Buffalo, 100
4. Kent State, 62
5. Akron, 54
6. Bowling Green, 37
MAC West Division
1. Toledo (15), 127
2. Western Michigan (5), 112
3. Northern Illinois (3), 103
4. Eastern Michigan, 83
5. Ball State, 43
6. Central Michigan (1), 36
2019 MAC Championship Game Winner: Ohio (13); Toledo (7); Western Michigan (2); Northern Illinois (1); Central Michigan (1).
BUY SEASON TICKETS TODAY!
PURCHASE ROAD GAME TICKETS (INCLUDING NOTRE DAME)
In the East Division, Ohio was selected first with a league-best and unanimous 144 total points. Following the Bobcats, the Miami RedHawks finished second with 107 points, while defending MAC East Champion Buffalo Bulls finished third with 100 points. Kent State finished fourth with 62 points, followed by Akron and Bowling Green.
BGSU went 3-9 a year ago, including a 2-6 record in the MAC, and the Falcons have turned Scot Loeffler to lead the Falcons into the 2019 season. An experienced coach with a proven track record in the Midwest, Loeffler has built one of the most experienced staffs in the country, which includes Associate Head Coach Steve Morrison, offensive coordinator Terry Malone and defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder (a former Broyles Award winner as the top assistant coach in the country). Loeffler's staff has developed more than 150 future NFL players.
Junior running back Andrew Clair, a Doak Walker Award Watch List member, and senior center Jack Kramer, a Rimington Award Watch List member, highlight an offense with the pieces to be potent in 2019. Sixth-year senior David Konowalski returns from an achilles injury that kept him out of the 2018 season. He is the on-field emotional leader for the program along the defensive line. Eight current Falcons have been named to a preseason All-MAC list by at least one major national college football magazine.
In the West Division, Toledo was selected first in the Division with 127 total points. Following the Rockets, Western Michigan finished second with 112 points, while defending MAC Champion NIU was third with 103 points. Eastern Michigan ranked fourth with 83 points, followed by Ball State and Central Michigan.
This reflects on the competitive nature of the MAC. In the last three years, six different MAC programs have competed in the Marathon MAC Football Championship Game and every football program has received an invitation to a bowl game during the last seven years (2012-18). BGSU advanced to the MAC Championship game in three consecutive seasons from 2013-15, winning MAC championships in both 2013 and 2015. The Falcons advanced to a bowl game each season from 2012-15. In total, Bowling Green has won 12 MAC Championships and is one of the most decorated programs in league history.
The 2019 season kicks off on Thursday, August 29 and the 2019 Marathon MAC Football Championship Game is Saturday, December 7 at Noon ET on ESPN or ESPN2 from Ford Field. Bowling Green hosts Morgan State on Aug. 29 at 7:00 pm to kick off the Loeffler era. The Falcons host Louisiana Tech for Homecoming Sept. 14 at 5:00 pm and welcome rival Toledo to Doyt L. Perry Stadium Oct. 12. That contest is Family Weekend as well as a celebration of the 100th anniversary of BGSU Football.
The complete poll follows:
Team (First Place Votes), Points
MAC East Division
1. Ohio (24), 144
2. Miami, 107
3. Buffalo, 100
4. Kent State, 62
5. Akron, 54
6. Bowling Green, 37
MAC West Division
1. Toledo (15), 127
2. Western Michigan (5), 112
3. Northern Illinois (3), 103
4. Eastern Michigan, 83
5. Ball State, 43
6. Central Michigan (1), 36
2019 MAC Championship Game Winner: Ohio (13); Toledo (7); Western Michigan (2); Northern Illinois (1); Central Michigan (1).
Players Mentioned
BG Football Press Conference vs UMass 11.20
Thursday, November 20
BG Football Postgame vs Akron 11.18
Wednesday, November 19
BG Football Press Conference vs Akron 11.13
Thursday, November 13
BG Football Postgame 11.8 vs EMU
Sunday, November 09