INSIDE SLANT

With two games remaining in the regular season, Bowling Green is in position to have a winning season and become bowl-eligible.

“Those two goals we can still control,” BG head coach Dave Clawson said.

Bowling Green (5-5 overall and 4-2 in the Mid-American Conference) looks to continue its winning ways against Akron (2-8, 1-5) on Nov. 20. The Falcons have won four of their last five games.

The Zips have had to play quarterback roulette with the senior starter being dismissed from the team and the No. 2 sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Now true freshman Patrick Nicely, who was recruited heavily by Bowling Green, is taking the snaps from center.

“He’s going to be a very good player,” Clawson said about Nicely. “That’s a tough position to play as a true freshman.

“We’ve got to defend what he’s capable of doing. He really throws a nice ball. He’s got good arm strength. He’s got a quick release. He’s somebody who’s going to be a good player.”

BG will continue to throw the ball as quarterback Tyler Sheehan and wide receiver Freddie Barnes are one of the top pitch-and-catch combinations in the nation.

Sheehan is 298-of-465 passing for 3,189 yards and 19 touchdowns with only six interceptions.

Barnes is the leading receiver in the nation with 117 receptions for 1,285 yards and 12 TDs. Barnes has also rushed for two scores.

“Bowling Green is very multiple in the offensive sets that they run. They move Barnes around so much in attempts to get him the ball. This schematically makes it difficult on defenses,” said Akron head coach J.D. Brookhart. “We will have to be very fundamental in our zones and man coverage and be aware of where Barnes is at all times. Their quarterback has great trust in his ability to come down with the ball.”

NOTES, QUOTES

• BG’s Jerett Sanderson, a senior linebacker, is coming off a strong game against Miami on Nov. 12.

Sanderson had six tackles, one tackle for loss, an interception, a forced fumble and one pass breakup.

Bowling Green scored TDs after his forced fumble, on the opening kickoff of the game, and the interception, which came at BG’s 5-yard line.

• After forcing only eight turnovers in the first nine games of the season, the Falcons got five in the win over Miami on Nov. 12

• Chris Bullock came off the bench against Miami on Nov. 12 and rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries in the fourth quarter.

Series History:   BG leads series 10-7 (last meeting, 2008, 37-33 BG)

Scouting The Offense:   Bowling Green was able to run the ball in the fourth quarter to preserve a win over Miami on Nov. 12, but the Falcons still rely on the passing game to get things done.

QB Tyler Sheehan is 298-of-465 passing for 3,189 yards and 19 touchdowns with only six interceptions.

WR Freddie Barnes is the leading receiver in the nation with 117 receptions for 1,285 yards and 12 TDs.

Against Akron, the Falcons will face the Mid-American Conference’s leading tackler in Brian Wagner, 106 total tackles, including 61 solos, defensive end Almondo Sewell, one of the better pass rushers in the conference, and safeties Jalil Carter and Wayne Cobham.

Scouting The Defense:   The Falcons had their best defensive effort of the season against Miami on Nov. 12, limiting the RedHawks to 295 yards of total offense, just 36 yards on the ground, and two touchdowns.

It’s not a coincidence that Bowling Green has been better on defense since the return of S P.J. Mahone against Buffalo on Nov. 3. Mahone was suspended for six games, but in the two games since his return he has made 17 tackles. He can defend the pass or move up to clog up the running lanes and is a sure tackler.

BG’s defensive front is also playing better of late as they gain experience. DT Kevin Alvarado is developing into a force on the line.

Quote To Note:   “When you get a quarterback and a receiver that have ability and are on the same page, it’s really fun to coach because you can do different things with them. They know what each other is thinking, they know where the holes are in the coverage, and they are good enough and talented enough to execute it.”—BG head coach Dave Clawson.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

This Week  ‘S GAME: Akron at Bowling Green, Nov. 20—Bowling Green looks to continue its quest for a winning season and to become bowl-eligible. While the Zips have only two wins, they have a veteran defense and strong special teams. If freshman QB Patrick Nicely is on, it could be a tough test for the Falcons.

Keys To The Game:   Bowling Green’s offense must continue its effective production and not bog down inside the 20-yard line. Defensively, the Falcons must play at the same level as in the Miami game on Nov. 12 and create some turnovers. BG also has to at least break even on special teams.

Players To Watch:  

WR Freddie Barnes, the nation’s leading receiver with 117 catches, needs 26 receptions over the next two games to become the NCAA’s leading single-season receiver.

PK Matt Norsic is still the place-kicker although he had a 34-yard effort blocked and he missed a 37-yarder against Miami on Nov. 12. He’s only 3-of-6 on field goals with a long of 40 yards this season.

LB Cody Basler is closing out his college career on a strong note. He’s tied for the team lead with 65 tackles and also returned an interception 50 yards against Miami on Nov. 12. He’s a key component in stopping the opposition’s running attack.

Roster Report:  

• OG Scott Lewis had to leave the Miami game on Nov. 12 with a sprained ankle. He is expected to be ready for the Akron game and be part of a three-player rotation at LT and LG with Brady Minturn and Blaec Walker.