Reds Re-Sign Paul Wilson

The Reds have inked Paul Wilson to another 2-year deal. His 4.35 ERA is certainly competitive, (just under the league average). $3.5M per year isn't a bad deal. He's the downside. His k/9 is under 6, the normal mark where a guy can sustain long-term success. Not to be negative, but I don't anticipate 2004 being anything more than a career year. The other downside is that Wilson is our #1 starter, so our chances of spending more on another starter are...


0.

GMAC Invite Confirmed

Should be a good one against Memphis. Their big RB will eat us alive if we don't bring our tackling game.

GMAC Confirmed

Omar Jacobs MAC Player of the Year

Congratulations to super Soph Omar Jacobs. What a remarkable season he had. This honor is well deserved. The easiest thing would have been to give it to Frye as the Senior, but they made the right choice and the deserving choice. He is an absolutely fantastic player. Check out the numbers he put up from the article below.

Final point: The award also belongs to the receivers, the line and the backs. Omar didn't have very many dropped passes, and he was hardly sacked at all. The team helped make him better, and he made them better.

Toledo Blade Story on Jacobs

Krebs Email Strongly Hints GMAC

A leaked email found on AZZ.com from AD Krebs clearly indicates GMAC is STILL the bowl for the Falcons, to take on Memphis.

From: Paul Krebs [mailto:pkrebs@bgnet.bgsu.edu]
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 2:37 PM
Subject: Bowl Update
Importance: High

I wanted to update you on the bowl situation. The good news, BGSU will be going to a post season bowl game. For only the second time in our history, we will be involved in back to back bowl bids. The bad news, we still do not know which game will select the Falcons. I feel very good about our opportunity in the GMAC Bowl in Mobile and still feel strongly that we will end up in this game. But nothing is certain. We hope to know within the next day. If not GMAC, we will most likely be in Boise, Vegas, or Shreveport. I will keep you posted and notify as soon as we are selected.

In the meantime, we need to continue to stoke the fires of our alumni and donor interest in following the falcons to a bowl game. Our success in the bowl will in large part be determined by the number of fans that turn out to support the Falcons. Any thing we can do to communicate our plans to our alumni and encourage them to support the football team by purchasing tickets through our ticket office will be key.

Right now, we continue to tell fans to stay tuned, we are going bowling, we just don;t know where yet. All are being advised to check our website as details will be posted as soon as we know. We are still planning large ticket mailings to alumni in the south should we end up there.

Paul Krebs
Assistant VP for Student Affairs & Director of Athletics
Bowling Green State University

10 Falcons All-Mac

The All-MAC team was announced today. Overall, only a couple surprises and disappointments. Overall, the biggest disappointment is having ten guys on the first or second team, and still finishing third.

A couple points:

Omar was first-team all-MAC. A huge honor, especially to be picked over Charlie Frye as a sophomore, when the inclination would have been to pick Frye because he was a senior. Omar had to have been that much better, and he was.

I think one of our receivers should have been on the first or second team. We distribute the ball so well, its hard to rack up big numbers, but Sharon was fifth in catches and had 13 TD's. That should be All-MAC.

Burkes and Newson both deserved their first-team listing. I hope Keon gets defensive player of the year tomorrow.

Adell Givens should not have been All-MAC either. Anthony Sherrell deserved that spot.

%% (2001 second-team all-MAC)
&& (2002 first-team all-MAC)
$$ (2002 second-team all-MAC)
++(2003 first-team all-MAC)
## (2003 second-team all-MAC)
^^ (2003 honorable mention all-MAC)

First Team Offense

Center - Brian Van Aker, Northern Illinois (Jr., Crystal Lake, Ill.)
Lineman - Rob Warren, Bowling Green (Jr., Mentor, Ohio)
Lineman - Adam Kieft, Central Michigan (Sr., Rockford, Mich.)##
Lineman - Jake VerStraete, Northern Illinois (Sr., Atkinson, Ill.)++
Lineman - Nick Kaczur, Toledo (Sr., Brantford, Ont.)&&/++/%%
(tie) Tight End - Brad Cieslak, Northern Illinois (Sr., Long Grove, Ill.)
(tie) Tight End - Tony Scheffler, Western Michigan (Jr., Chelsea, Mich.)
Wide Receiver - Dante Ridgeway, Ball State (Jr., Decatur, Ill.)
Wide Receiver - Lance Moore, Toledo (Sr., Westerville, Ohio)++
Wide Receiver - Greg Jennings, Western Michigan (Jr., Kalamazoo, Mich.)##
Quarterback - Omar Jacobs, Bowling Green (So., Delray Beach, Fla.)
Running Back - Adell Givens, Ball State (Fr., Hamilton, Ohio)
Running Back - Jerry Seymour, Central Michigan (So., Miramar, Fla.)##
Running Back - Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois (So., Chicago, Ill.)
Placekicker - Andrew Wellock, Eastern Michigan (So., Canton, Ohio)p

First Team Defense

Outside Linebacker - Terna Nande, Miami (Jr., Grand Rapids, Mich.)##
Outside Linebacker - Javan Lee, Northern Illinois (Jr., Michigan City, Ind.)
Lineman - Dan Bazuin, Central Michigan (So., McBain, Mich.)
Lineman - Johnathan Goddard, Marshall (Sr., Jacksonville, Fla.)
Lineman - Marcus Johnson, Miami (Jr., Youngstown, Ohio)
Lineman - Travis Moore, Northern Illinois (Sr., Robbins, Ill.)
Inside Linebacker - Jovon Burkes, Bowling Green (Sr., Detroit, Mich.)
Inside Linebacker - Brian Atkinson, Northern Illinois (Sr., Chicago, Ill.)$$/++
Defensive Back - Justin Beriault, Ball State (Sr., Indianapolis, Ind.)$$/++
Defensive Back - Keon Newson, Bowling Green (Sr., Decatur, Ga.)
Defensive Back - Lionel Hickenbottom, Northern Illinois (Sr., Dolton, Ill.)
Defensive Back - Patrick Body, Toledo (Sr., Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Punter - Reggie Hodges, Ball State (Sr., Champaign, Ill.)

Second Team Offense

Center - Scott Mruczkowski, Bowling Green (Sr., Garfield Heights, Ohio)++
Lineman - Kory Lichtensteiger, Bowling Green (Fr., Van Wert, Ohio)
Lineman - Todd Londot, Miami (Jr., Utica, Ohio)##
Lineman - Doug Free, Northern Illinois (So., Manitowoc, Wi.)
Lineman - Ben Lueck, Northern Illinois (So., Oswego, Ill.)
Tight End - Chris Holmes, Toledo (Sr., Chicago, Ill.)
Wide Receiver - Josh Davis, Marshall (Sr., Hickory Grove, S.C.)
Wide Receiver - Dan Sheldon, Northern Illinois (Sr., Elgin, Ill.)
Wide Receiver - Eric Deslauriers, Eastern Michigan (So., Gatineau, Que.)
Quarterback - Charlie Frye, Akron (Sr., Willard, Ohio)
Running Back - Brett Biggs, Akron (Jr., Bartow, Fla.)
Running Back - P.J. Pope, Bowling Green (Jr., Fairfield, Ohio)++
Running Back - Anthony Sherrell, Eastern Michigan (Sr., Roseville, Mich.)++
Placekicker - Shaun Suisham, Bowling Green (Sr., Wallaceburg, Ont.)

Second Team Defense

Outside Linebacker - James King, Central Michigan (Sr., Southfield, Mich.)##
Outside Linebacker - Keon Jackson, Toledo (Jr., East Chiacgo, Ill.)
Lineman - Mitchell Crossley, Bowling Green (Jr., Springfield, Ohio)##
Lineman - Justin Parrish, Kent State (Jr., Landover Hills, Md.)
Lineman - Jamus Martin, Marshall (Sr., Martinsville, Va.)$$/++
Lineman - Kevin Carberry, Ohio (Sr., Oak Lawn, Ill.)
Inside Linebacker - Kevin Harrison, Eastern Michigan (Sr., Belleville, Mich.)
Inside Linebacker - Eric Mahl, Kent State (Sr., Monroeville, Ohio) ^^
Defensive Back - Curtis Keyes, Marshall (So., Mt. Olive, Miss.)
Defensive Back - Alphonso Hodge, Miami (Sr., Cleveland, Ohio)
Defensive Back - Matt Pusateri, Miami (Sr., Dublin, Ohio)
Defensive Back - Darrell Hunter, Miami (Jr., Middletown, Ohio)
Punter - Adam Anderson, Western Michigan (Sr., Chesaning, Mich.)++

Honorable Mention

(next top five in voting regardless of position)
Placekicker - Chris Nendick, Northern Illinois (Fr., Naperville, Ill.)
Quarterback - Joshua Cribbs, Kent State (Sr., Upper Marlboro, Md.)
Running Back - Luke Clemens, Miami (Sr., Dayton, Ohio)
Outside Linebacker - John Busing, Miami (Jr., Alpharetta, Ga.)
Outside Linebacker - Daniel Sayles, Bowling Green (Sr., Warner Robbins, Ga.)

Falcons Look Good to Bowl

Well, with 56 bowl eligible teams, and a max of two more, it looks like we're bowling. Only to find out where, hopefully in the next 48 hours. Its a good reward for the team. As MAC teams, we're not used to this thing where you lose and move on. We're in the culture of win or stay home. The extra practices will be good for the new O-line, and let's hope we're ready to go for the MAC Title next season.

Toledo Blade on Bowling Bowling Green

Falcon Road to Disappointment

Falcon fans have beenfrustrated since the Toledo loss, because the one thing our revamped programhas failed to do is when big games on the road. Since Toledo does do thison occasion, they remain the stronger program in the West, and we remainthe ones who are doing the chasing.

Let's look at road games in the Meyer/Brandon era.

Against teams with winnings records, we are 1-9. That's right, 1-9. The win was Purdue 03. Losses were Marshall 01, NIU 02, S. Florida 02, Toledo 02, OSU 03, Miami 03, NIU 04, Oklahoma 04 and Toledo 04.

Against teams with losing records, on the other hand, we are 13-1, so we can obviously play on the road. The only team with a losing record we lost to on the road was WMU 01, while we beat Missouri 01, Akron 01, Ohio 01, Northwestern 01, Kansas 02, CMU 02, Kent 02, WMU 03, EMU 03, Ball 03, Ohio 04, CMU 04, Temple 04.

What is even more frustrating is that the defeats on the road in the MAC have been bad defeats, where our team gets beaten outright and performs well below what we expect. This remains something which must be fixed before we can become the MAC's premier football program.

Falcons Going Bowling?

It looks good. Where is another question. There are 56 Bowl eligible teams, and the possibility of two more. Even if they both get eligible, we still probably get in ahead of Akron and Marshall, so my guess is we'll be OK. The bowl bid is important. Its certainly a tough pill to swallow after losing to Toledo, but the extra practices will be good for the team, and get some reps for next year's O-line. Also, we can right our ship, and prepare for a MAC (not division) Championship in '05.

Guaranteed No-Loss Day for Lions

Celebrate!

Another nice Falcon Win

Falcons beat what appears to be a decent Bradley team in Anderson Arena today, cruising to a 16 point victory, with second half leads much higher than that in the second half.

A very good defensive effort by BG, which appears to be the team's hallmark. Just as Cedric Banks of UIC was completely shut down (no FG's), Marcellus Sommerville, who was averaging in the mid-20's was held to 11 points and only 1 FG on seven shots. Where UIC went 0-15 from beyond the arc, BG held Bradley to 1-11. And, with 7'0 C Patrick O'Bryant underneath, Bradley wasn't able to capitalize on BG overplaying the perimeter.

Bradley shot only 38.5% in the first half, and 43.8% for the game. That tells the whole story from their side. A stifling, hustling, surprisingly deep Falcon team just shut then down. Their leading scoring was a guy off the bench.

BG had contributions from a number of guys.

*Josh Almanson continued All-MAC caliber play with 22 points and six boards in the post, even after getting stuffed by O'Bryant early. Josh mixes 3 trey's into the mix.

*John "the Human Scab" Floyd flopped, dove, and scrapped his way into the heart of Falcon fans. This guy will be a fan favorite. He is a solid ball handler, breaks pressure, and had 8 assists in the game.

*Floyd's emergence has allowed Stephen Wright to play 2, and he is more suited to that. 16 points on 7-11 shooting, and a big contribution during a key run I will cover in a minute.

*And don't forget Reimold, who had 19 points, 3-6 from beyond the arc, 9 boards and a block, and lots of hustle and strong play.

*Fitch contributed 22 strong minutes...steady, handling the ball, playing D. Classic unselfish role player. Austin Montgomery threw in 12 solid minutes, and Cory Eyink had 8 points in 18 minutes. He is playing with a great deal of energy this season.

The team is doing well. Its a lot more fun to watch.

Here was the key sequence. We're up 10 early in the second half, but Bradley chips it to 4 with Sommerville's only FG of the night. Their bench is up, and they can feel the momentum coming on. From here...


17:24 Stephen Wright drills a 3. BG Up 7.
16:36 Stephen Wright gets a steal and a layup and BG up 9.

Bradley then chips it back to 5. Again, a run could be coming on.

15:07 Stephen Wright Lay up BG Up 7.
14:57 Coach Les gets T'd. Reimold hits both, and BG up 9.
14:30 Stephen Wright old school 3 point play, BG up 12.

The game never got closer than 12 again. After a quiet first half, Stephen Wright took over the game at a key point. From the 44-39 score, BG goes on a 21-6 run, and its all over.

A fine effort for a 2-1 club. Tough assignment at Detroit next Saturday, but its a one game at a time proposition. If we can pull it off, its another sign this thing is happening. If we don't, its not the end of the world.

National Humiliation, and our only real player goes down

We should be thankful that we do not rely only on Lions football for things for which we can be thankful on Thanksgiving. Because there was little to be thankful for today.

It was 41-9, and I hadn't expected it to be quite that close. Actually, the Lions moved the ball early, but then again, everyone moves the ball on the Colts. But eventually, we were so inept with the ball, and the Colts never missed when they had the ball that the rout was one.

No need to dwell on it. Let's hope the losing streak can end against Arizona on Sunday next.

Losing Eddie Drummond was a blow. He has been a signficant part of our attack, and Mooch said post-game he is probably gone for the year. It really sets the team back, both in competitiveness and fan interest.

McMahon Backers--don't get excited. Joey is the QB. I have my doubts that Joey will ever take us anywhere, but I am SURE McMahon won't, although he did pick apart the Colts prevent defense with the skill of a punch drunk carny. Mooch confirmed this (the Joey part, not the Carny part) after the game. Joey has got to get it together--right now, too many open receivers never get anywhere near the ball. I don't think Mooch likes him, and I think he might be ready to cut bait.

Jones is a stud, on the other hand. He's going to be a good one. I really feel an accurate QB could make this offense adequate, as opposed to among the worst in the NFL.

Falcons Play Well Against Cold Flames

BG played well last night and defeated a good UIC team that came within one shot of beating #3 Georgia Tech earlier in the week. No doubt, it had to be tough for them. You play that big game, and then you pile in a bus for five hours, haul your way across Indiana, to play in a gym with about 1,500 people in it and the promise of a bus ride back in a snowstorm, all on the night before a holiday.

Still, we played very good team defense, and UIC shot 28% for the game, and 20% in the first half, when we led by 18 (thank god it wasn't 20). They were 0-15 for threes for the whole game, and their all-star Cedrick Banks only got six points.

On our side, we played well. Our new additions are making a difference right away, and I think this team feels like it is much better than the team was last year. First, we have a true PG---maybe two. John Floyd really handles the ball, and seems in command. Dribbles out of pressure. 7 assists.

Perrick looks sharp to me, although he didn't play well last night, with 4 to's in 7 minutes. If Floyd continues to look this good, it gives him time to mature without starting right away.

Josh is playing great, especially on the inside. He had a big game with 17 points and 5 boards.

Steven Wright is a real #2, and was really not at home at point. He had 13 on 4-9 shooting, and played good D.

Scott Vandermeer is going to be an exciting player. he had seven boards and three blocks in 16 minutes. Dude has the longest arms in the MAC. Dakich said that he will end up in the NBA, which I hope is true. I hope he's MAC POY more. Right now, he adds a lot.

Soler adds some intensity and maturity for the 11 minutes he played.

We shot 51%, including 58% in the first half, and we nailed five threes.

The only downsides were 20 TOs, 27 fouls, and only hitting 56% of Fts, very unusual for us and something I think we will get back on track next time.

Overall, a great home opener for the guys, and I think a showing to fans that the team is going to play harder and as a team, and that there is enough talent for us to compete in the MAC, which is the next step back. I'm feeling good about my 17-10 call (we're actually +1 on that now).

2004 Football Falcon Predictions in Review

All in all, I did pretty well. I called 8-3 correctly. Thought we would beat Northern and lose to Marshall, so those two were reversed.

Falcons Win/Loss Predictions

Honest and straight. I'm thinking 8-3, 7-2 in the MAC and second in the MAC West. Here goes:

@ OKLAHOMA L
SE MISS W
@NIU W
@Temple W
@CMU W
BSU W
@OU W
EMU W
WMU W
Marshall L
@Toledo L

I like this....we need more of it.

Debacle at UT

Not much to say right now. Good night's sleep didn't help...still very depressed. The MAC's fourth best program was humiliated last night. For full thoughts, check out ay-ziggy-zoomba.com, from the link to the left.

Maybe a fourth bowl bid coming our way. Hard to care right now.

Dean is the Perfect Man for DNC


He has renergized our party once, and he can do it again. For all the reasons listed here, and one more: he won't be a Hillary shill (or a Shillary) for President in '08.

Dean for DNC

Reds Depth Chart and Outlook

Better than I could do, here is a Reds Depth Chart looking ahead at a not so promising future--especially on the hill. The kind of info junkies have...

Reds Depth Chart

Game Day! The Big Game!!

Falcons and Rockets, from the Glass Bowl on ESPN 2. Rockets can win the West title, and this can be the season redemption for the Falcons. With Clemson and South Carolina out of their bowl games, its possible we're in a bowl either way. But let's win, and get the GMAC bid tonight, which seems to be the hint from everyone on what will happen.

Go Falcons. Beat the Rockets.

When you root for the Lions

The Scenery Never Changes

Well, you can't be too surprised. That was a classic Lions performance. Play great for about 35 minutes--running the ball, passing effectively, playing good D with good special teams. Ready to win a big game on the road and reverse a losing streak.

No. Because in classic Lions fashion, it was followed by an implosion. Six first downs in three quarters, stupid personal fouls, turnovers, and a defense that was mowed over with essentially no resistance. I can't say I am surprised, but I can't understand it. It was so typical.

4-6. Colts on hand next, so its 4-7. .500 is by the boards, more or less, and this team isn't getting any better...yet. We do have some ability--I like Jones, I like Williams, I think I will like Rogers. I like where the D is headed. We just need help on the Oline, at QB (maybe), and to shed this losing attitude that is infused within the organization.

Falcons Perform Well @ Depaul

A look at the box score confirms what I thought from yesterday...that BG was very competitive on the road with a DePaul team that would, at least, be a mid-to-top tier MAC team.

With 5:18 to play, we were down two after Germian Fitch tipped in a hoop. Over the next 2:10, we turn the ball over twice, but thanks to domr middrd by DePaul, are still down only 4 with 3:08 to play. Here's the vital sequence.

*DePaul misses a jumper, but gets the offensive board (note) and converts a 3 off it. DePaul +7.

*Almanson misses a jumper, Brumfield claims one of his 15 boards.

*DePaul misses again, gets their own board (note), gets fouled and nails two FT's. (DePaul +9). 1:06 to play, game over.

Conclusion: Turnovers and not taking caring of the boards down the stretch cost us a winnable game. These can be corrected.

Other thoughts:

*We got out rebounded by 8. Why did LeFeld and Vandermeer only play 8 minutes combined, and 2 for LeFeld?

*We rely on FG Defense to win. DePaul shot 51% in the second half.

*We shot only 28.6% on threes.

*Robinson seemed to play OK. In 17 minutes, he didn't score, but had 4 assists and no Turnovers. Floyd played 11 minutes, with 3 over 1.

*BG turned the ball over only 14 times. A big key for the season.

*Wright had 17, and might turn out to be a very good 2.

*If Josh Almanson comes to play like that every night, we will be competitive.

*Reimold gets a lot of attention from other D's. We need to penetrate and get him the ball with good looks. Let's hope Wright and Robinson can do that.

Battle hard, Lose to DePaul

More later, but BG battled hard before losing to Depaul by ten today. In my view, it was a positive sign for the season, although we'll have to look at the stats to get a better look. We led a good portion of the way.

Killer Kowalski in an Mlive Chat...

Says that the Lions are not standing pat, but making some big changes for the coming games. Sounds good, and its worth a try. The three yards and a cloud of dust West Coast attack is making my head hurt.

Killer Says Big Changes are on the Way

Lions @ QB

Lots of debate today about what to do about Joey. The needle is starting to point away from potential and toward bust. Its not over--he is reported to be sharp--but he has to produce this year. The problem with failing at QB in the NFL, is it doesn't leave you many options. If you go to the draft, you may consign yourself to rebuilding for three seasons before you compete. If you go for a veteran, you might get a guy who isn't any better than Kurt Warner.

Although I might suggest Drew Brees might be a good pick-up. He is showing he can play, and I always liked this skill level and his intangibles.

There is no doubt that Joey doesn't have all the offensive pieces in place. Who ever does? He's supposed to make them better, not sit around and wait for them to lift him up.

Picking a QB #3, when you have next to nothing already in place (Batch) is a risky proposition. Let's hope Joey can work out. I have given up hope, but merely began to doubt.

Knorr Joins Darnell in seeking work

No surprises here.

Depressed Democrats Therapy

See, "Feeling Blue" is a pun.

http://www.markfiore.com/animation/depressed.html

Falcon Hoops Predicted Finish

I think we're better than people think, strong at home, and capable of a couple upsets on the road.

(17-10) (12-7) Third in West, Home Court, Finish Strong, Advance to Gund

11/20/2004 @ Depaul L
11/24/2004 Illinois-Chicago L
11/27/2004 Bradley W
12/04/2004 @ Detroit L
12/08/2004 Bluffton W
12/11/2004 @ Youngstown St W
12/21/2004 IPFW W
12/30/2004 @Oakland W
01/02/2005 Buffalo W
01/06/2005 @ Marshall L
01/09/2005 Northern Illinois W
01/12/2005 @ Eastern Michigan L
01/15/2005 Western Michigan W
01/18/2005 @ Ball St L
01/22/2005 Toledo W
01/26/2005 @ Central Michigan W
01/29/2005 @ Ohio L
02/03/2005 Akron W
02/07/2005 Ohio W
02/09/2005 @Toledo L
02/12/2005 Kent State L
02/16/2005 Ball St W
02/19/2005 Bracket Buster W
02/23/2005 @ N. Illinois W
02/27/2005 Miami W
03/02/2005 @ Western Michigan L
03/05/2005 Central MichiganW

Brandon Toledo Presser for This Week

Rocket Respect===Yes
Bulletin Board Material===None

Mac Gets Third Bowl Bid

This is good news for our league. BG and UT may be playing for the third bowl bid, although the many permutations give me a headache. I am confident it we win against UT we will be in a bowl, which we have earned.

MAC with Third Bowl Bid

Falcons Ranked in Both Polls

nt.

Failure to Take Buffalo Advice Stops Lions Again...

Eddie Drummond remains only Lion worth the oxygen it takes to keep him alive

God, was that awful. Let's start with the obvious...the offense. Now, I have been a Joey backer. I have felt that he has never had a fair chance, and that his line stunk and he had no running game and no receivers. Let's not kid ourselves, he's not running around with the '72 Dolphins out there today, but the cast is there to compete.

Furthermore, Jones was respectable running the ball. Joey was simply dreadful. Receivers got open, and he couldn't get the ball anywhere near them. This was a winnable game, and the loss falls solely on his shoulders. He hits some receivers (completions % was about 1/3), and we win the game.

As I mentioned, I have always believed Joey was going to be in the Pro Bowl. Originally, I wanted to pick Roy Williams (the other one), but we went QB, and that's fine. I thought he would mature into a West Coast QB. I still haven't given up on him, but yesterday the needle moved from confidence to undecided. Its three years in, and he wasn't any better yesterday than he was in his first season. And he had Jones and Williams healthy, Swinton is a nice surprise. He had some tools. All the errors were squarely on him.

Its pretty bad when your best hope in OT is to force a punt and get another miracle from Drummond.

The defense didn't play badly. Now, the Jags without Leftwich are hobbled, but the D played pretty well. Yes, they marched right over our butt in OT, but they only gave up 17 points in regulation. That's a passable effort from a D on the field way too much. Dick Jauron is a good coach, because this team is better than its talent.

Eddie....what can we say. The new Mel Grey. Love him. Plays great. That first TD was inspired, and the second was clutch football all the way.

Scary thing is, we're only one game out. Don't have a high level of optimism against the Vikes on the road, but who knows. At this rate, 6 wins is a ceiling. I am beginning to wonder if we shouldn't look QB in the draft next year. Its a blow, because we should have been able to think defense, but we may not have that luxury.

Great Senior Day at the Doyt

My impressions on yesterday.

It was a great senior day at the Doyt. Our guys left on a high note, with a raucous crowd and a big win over the MAC's top ranked defense. After early in the third, it wasn't close. We just bowled over them, and it was over when the fourth started.

We ran and passed well. PJ seems to be running downhill again. Omar was very good again (see below) and the receivers were awesome. No dropped passes. They couldn't cover Sharon at all.

Omar obviously made two errors throwing into coverage, one of which was bailed out on an offsides, and one of which cost us a TD or FG...clearly, he should have thrown in away. He hadn't thrown an interception since the TEMPLE game, so I'm not too worked up about it. He'll learn and be sharper when we play Toledo. The best thing to take away was that he didn't let the error phase him at all, he just came right back throwing bulls eyes.

Cole had 6 catches in his last game at the Doyt.

Keon had an INT, TD, and a blocked punt in his last game at the Doyt. He might be our best player.

We held Goddard to only two tackles, and he only got to Omar once. Great job on the line...I think our guys really came through. They will dominate the D-Line of Toledo, who won't get near the pressure without blitzing that Marshall got.

Shaun Suisham made seven Xp's in his last game, and is chasing the NCAA record. Even though he missed a FG, he was money this year. Congratulations to him.

The Defense obviously got torched a little. Jelani Jordan made some plays, and we eventually were good enough to get the win. Still, UT will score some points on us if we don't buckle down. We're going to need an all-star game plan for that one.

Biggest play of the game was Terrell White forcing that fumble on the kickoff. That put us up by two scores, which is huge at that point. It just puts them on the defensive for the rest of the game.

The other big drive was our first of the second half. We had gone from being on the verge of a TD to having an interception and watching one of our guys on the ground for twenty minutes and leaving in an ambulance. Then, Marshall takes the opening drive and scores. Then, BJ muffs the kickoff, and we're 3rd and 12 on our own 13. Marshall fans are hot, and you can sense it turning. But Omar scrambles for the first down and we turned it around right there.

Corn McGrady was fine. Note that BGSU in its official release referred to a helmet to helmet hit..looked to me it was on the shoulder, but maybe I was wrong. Anyway, he has a concussion and is fine, and recovered a fumble in his last game at the Doyt.

Great to send Marshall out as losers. Loved the band playing good-bye. This win proved we can play with higher competition. I don't believe the offense can be stopped. Let's buckle the D down and beat Toledo--it may be our bowl game!

LaRue re-signs

The Reds avoided arbitration and re-signed Jason LaRue for $3Million, which represents Jason taking a little less dough to avoid being non-tendered. He's a good player--see my season review--when compared to other NL Catchers, but you can't overpay for him. One-year deals are good, too. Keeps him motivated and keeps our options open. Jason Larue is 30 years old....

Senior Day at Bowling Green

And what a career they had. These players represent players who came in Urban Meyer's first season or who survived the Blackney era--entering or rebuilding a down program with a dynamic and exciting young coach. As listed below, they can be considered the most successful senior class in the history of our program and in the MAC today, and there have been some good years in there.

Ever notice how there's always a couple seniors you never heard of--who never set foot on the field? Not on this list. Every play a contributor.

In many cases, (Cole), I can't believe it all ended so soon. It seems like just yesterday when he raced into the end zone on a reverse to defeat Northwestern. It'll be a bittersweet day at the Doyt Saturday when we say good bye to these guys, but they made a remarkable contribution to our program. Cheer loud, and leave with a win.

SENIOR DAY
Fifteen members of the BGSU football team will be playing their final game in Perry Stadium. This class enters the final two weeks of the season with the best winning percentage (35-11, .761) of any graduating group in the MAC just ahead of
Marshall (35-12, .744). The members of this year’s senior class include:
Jovon Burkes, LB .....................Detroit, Mich.
T.J. Carswell, DB ...................... Irwinton, Ga.
Todd DiBacco, TE ...................... Monaca, Pa.
Andy Grubb, OL ....................... Leipsic, Ohio
Andrew Hart, OL .....................Mentor, Ohio
James Hawkins, WR ............. Cleveland, Ohio
Cole Magner, WR.................... Palmer, Alaska
Cornelius, McGrady, WR, ............ Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Scott Mruczkowski, OL ....... Garfield Heights, Ohio
Ryan Newble, DE .............. Brownsville, Tenn.
Keon Newson, DB ......................Decatur, Ga.
Gavin Powell, LS ....................Defiance, Ohio
Daniel Sayles, LB .............Warner Robins, Ga.
Shaun Suisham, K ..............Wallaceburg, Ont.
Andy Wenstrup, OL ............ Cincinnati, Ohio

As reported here earlier

The Falcons have a strong class of recruits who signed today on early signing day. First step back is to finish above .500 this year, and when these players start, we begin our march to the Big Dance.

Falcons Land Four Early Signees

Let me say this on all these MAC West scenarios.

We are glossing over the fact that we have to win out. This will be no small feat. We should beat Marshall, but its not a push-over, and they are always dangerous. And that Toledo team that played last night is not the team that lost to Kansas and Minnesota early in the year. They were sharp and dangerous, with strong run and pass, even going downfield. On their home field with a championship on the line, they are going to be very tough to beat. Not saying we won't win, just saying that I thought Toledo looked much improved last night.

Sit down, Children...

and I will tell you the story of how Omar came to Bowling Green. From the Brandon presser. And imagine if he had gone to Buffalo!!!!

Saturday Forecast

Partly Cloudy, temps in the low 40's. If the wind is down, it'll be a beautiful day for football! Let's fill the Doyt and say goodbye to the Blundering Herd.

An Abomination before humanity

Watching that Lions game was worse than hearing Mark Beier do play by play for ten minutes.

Seriously.

Every player involved on the Lions side--with the exception of Eddie Drummond--should be driven off a cliff like they used to do to buffalo.

We'll start rebuilding with Eddie.

The offense is horrid. The running game would be awful, but that would logically mean is existed, which it did not. (I suck, therefore I am). Joey was atrocious. There were too many drops. Williams didn't show up at all, beyond one circus catch. Stephen Alexander brought back fond memories of Ricks. The whole offense was channelling Scott Mitchell. I don't care how good the Redskin defense is supposed to be--that was embarrasing. (And the first half FG was a gift---I almost forgot).

Now, special teams. Wow. Where to start. They were horrid, too, except for Eddie. Blocked punt (should have been two), long returns, lousy onside kicks, the Redskins beat our special teams like a drum.

You may say, what about the defense. I mean, they only gave up 10 points, that's not too bad. Well, I guess. They let Portis run wild on them, but they had to respect the pass, right? Oh! Brunell only completed six passes? Six passes? This ain't Rex Kern, this is the NFL in 2005. How do you get beat by a team that only completes six passes. Seems like you might be able to stop the run under those circumstances.

So, the 4-4 Lions reach the halfway point. As I noted earlier, a .500 season is a virtual impossibility for our team. And with two stinking efforts in a row, they could still lose 10.

Lions to Win Today

With Roy Williams, the Lions are a potential playoff team. Without him....anyway, he should play, we should win.

Interesting story on BG romp

People are down in Kalamazoo.

Kalamazoo Gazette on BG Romp

Falcons Commit War Crimes at Doyt, Crush WMU

The Falcons raced all over the Broncos today. A wipe out from about the fourth play on. After the botched reverse on the kickoff, I started to think our streak of bolting downfield and scoring on our first drive would end at three, but, no we drove 99 yards and scored. Later in the quarter we did it again.

550 yards in the first half. 49 points in the first half, a school record. A blocked punt, 3 INT's. (We make no turnovers again). It was a dominant performance, and the Falcons deserve credit. WMU has moved the ball on some teams today, but we got our first shut out since UM's first season.

Running up the score? Nope. Read this from Coach Darnell, who, one has to assume is on his way out of Kalamazoo.

"I want to really congratulate Gregg Brandon, his staff, his football team, because they were absolute class-act today. Anyone that was there, anyone that saw it on TV knows that they could have named the score today. That was huge on Gregg's part."

So, here's the key question as we head into the games agains the Marshall and Toledo--which we must win to stay in the MAC race, and which we must win for a long-shot bowl bid. Is this team better than last year's team?

Its hard to tell, because we have played six straight very poor football teams. But I actually believe this team IS better than last year's team, making the defeat at NIU all the sadder. Consider this:

*Last year, bad teams (CMU, EMU, Kent) hung around on us. Not this year. Most games are over before there are 5:00 off the clock.

*Omar is setting a school record for passing accuracy. He's a better passer than Josh ever was, though not a running threat. Receivers are great--when was the last time a pass was dropped?

*Last year we had a negative turnover ratio. We almost never turn the ball over now. I'll check the numbers later, but of all Omar's passing plays, he's had only 5 or 6 sacks and interceptions COMBINED.

*Last year's team was average in the red zone. This year's team is money.

*The defense is much improved, in my view. This WMU has scored on some people, but we shut them out. The backfield is much improved. A pass rush is developing. Keon is the best player on the team (2 INT's against the Broncos).

*The special teams are outstanding. Suisham is money, return teams are good, and the punting is good.

Anyway, for these reasons, its possible this team is better than last year's team. Big challenges ahead, but both games are winnable. If we continue to perform at this level (and we must be at a high level of confidence), we will finish 9-2 and will have earned a bowl bid.

(Crowd was in the 18,000 range--respectable, on a beautiful day in Bowling Green).

As usual, Bill Clinton is on target

Bill Clinton is the most insightful and brilliant political mind of his generation. Clearly he has his faults, but he's usually on the mark.

In speaking before the Urban Land Institute, Clinton said that Democrats had to stop whining. Correct.

He also said we had to accept responsibility for the defeat. Correct.

He said that it we couldn't convince people we were for freedom, and families and hard work, that was our fault, not theirs. Correct.

And if we didn't have a message, we would continue to lose. Correct.

Here's my take on Tuesday's devastating outcome. More than half of the people in the country don't see it our way, and that's how it goes. We are, in my opinion, in danger of dropping into a half-century in the wilderness.

I do not buy theories from various bloggers that we are making progress. We are not. No incumbent President with Bush's record should ever have been re-elected. It never should have been close.

Imagine, if you will, if a Democratic president had lost jobs, started a war he couldn't finish, failed to catch Osama Bin Laden, make us international pyriahs and rewarded cronies with war contracts, do you think that Democratic President would have been returned to office? Or won a state?

No. He would have been toast. And for all our focus on the ground war, you need a message and you need a strong candidate who doesn't have the baggage that Kerry had (I'm speaking of his dizzying track record of votes and resulting justifications from Iraq, most of which were votes determined by Howard Dean).

Don't get me wrong. Kerry is a strong leader, and made a good candidate. And electable. But he couldn't seal the deal.

I don't buy that things are getting better because we picked up a legislative seat in Peoria. They are not getting better. We are being pushed to the very edges of the country--look at the map below. We are basically a non-presence over most of the country, and while we came perilously close to picking the electoral lock while losing by three or more points nationally, our non-presence in, for example, Kentucky, merely allows the GOP to concentrate their resources on a dwindling number of states. And since those states only add up to 272 EV, they only need one (hello, Ohio) to pick us off.

And if they turn California--even to competitive--we can kiss our butts good bye.

To the future, let me say this. Hillary Clinton will never be President of this country. I don't care who they run, she is too polarizing, and too energizing to their base to get elected. Why don't we try someone who APPEALS to people who are in the GOP base. Kind of like they did with Reagan. Wow.

Candidly, I doubt if Edwards will either, though I like his ability to connect with people.

I don't know who it will be, and I doubt it will happen at all. Much as I hate his guts, Zell was right about one thing...we are a national party no more.

We have to craft a compelling, relavent vision of the future, and soon, and we have to have someone come out of the primaries who is out best candidate, or we will lose in 2008 and spend then next 30 years as an irrelevant party.

We have to do more than Hate Bush. We're about to get steamrolled on Social Security and taxes, and the war will go on in Iraq--a terrible wrong ratified by our nation.

We should have beaten Bush. It shouldn't have been close. It shouldn't have mattered that it rained. A real opposition party would have held the President accountable. We did not.

This says a lot

From North America's top blogger, Warren Kinsella, author of Kicking Ass in Canadian Politics.

I have often thought I was a misplaced Canadian.

Falcons and the Broncos

The Broncos D is horrendous, and we should win this one big...and I mean big. We could torch up 70 today. Gary Darnell is going to have to find another line of work.

Last night's Akron-Marshall game was a classic, especially for those of us who hate the Herdnation. A total Marshall collapse. Its a three way tie now for the east, and Akron and Miami finish the season against each other. If we beat Marshall, they leave the MAC as the losers they are. Maybe Akron as the MACC loser wouldn't get a bid, either. Who knows.

We need three more wins to make anything happen. Go Falcons!

Spurrier is out at Florida

Ur-Ban Mey-er. (Clap-clap, clap-clap-clap)
Ur-Ban Mey-er. (Clap-clap, clap-clap-clap)
Ur-Ban Mey-er. (Clap-clap, clap-clap-clap)
Ur-Ban Mey-er. (Clap-clap, clap-clap-clap)
Ur-Ban Mey-er. (Clap-clap, clap-clap-clap)
Ur-Ban Mey-er. (Clap-clap, clap-clap-clap)

Brandon Bronco Presser

Interesting as always. He gives good press.

Gregg Brandon Press Conference Quotes :: Falcons face Western Michigan on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Porcher Retires

After a great career, Robert Porcher packs it in. A class act, a businessman and a community leader, we're going to miss him. His skills had declined, and pro football is a cruel business, but he was someone you could be proud to have as a Lion.