International Centre for Special Teams Research

So, the ICSTR has met and released its report for the Marshall game.

For a review of what all this nonsense means, feel free to click here.

The basic idea is that you score each special teams play based on a formula that scores plays in the normal range a zero and then good plays are positive and bad plays are negative, and then you add them all up and get a net total.

BG was +9 for the Marshall game, based on a recovered fumble, a blocked kick, some strong kickoffs and a couple of nice punt returns by Eugene Cooper.

Marshall was -8, for many of the same reasons in reverse.

A few notes:

• It is our second best game in the Clawson era, with the best being the +11 game against Toledo.
• It was our best game this year, besting the +7 at Tulsa.
• After a slow start last season, BG has now been in plus territory for 4 straight games.
• BG's opponents have been in negative territory in six of the last seven games.

I don't know.  It seems to me that this is representing an important reality, which is that we are getting big plays from our special teams, as pitted against our special team play in the Brandon era, when we continually gave up big plays.

I think it is an example of BG becoming a better coached and more fundamentally strong football team.

Is the MAC Considering Expansion?

According to EMU AD Derrick Gragg in speaking to a board committee, the MAC is expected to issue invites to 1-2 teams in the next year or two.

While filing this under "FWIW," still interesting.  Apparently the MAC has a retreat coming up where this and other issues will be discussed.

Update:  The Commissioner threw a little cold water on this, insisting nothing is imminent.

Michigan Preview Podcast

Yours truly was flattered to be included in a BG preview podcast done by The Michigan Man concerning this week's game.  Mike, the host, is a great guy and a true college football fan.  Listen and enjoy.

New Football Verbal

The Falcons picked up their 7th verbal commitment today. DE Zach Colvin picked BG over a wide selection of D1 programs after making an unofficial visit on Saturday. Think that big, loud crowd had a role in that?

According to the Chicago Tribune, he had offers from  Air Force, Ball State, Central Michigan, Memphis, Northern Illinois and Wyoming and picked BG because of the hope of early playing time and that he would play D-end, which he feels is his natural position.  He had an offer from Illinois (which still has a Big 10 program, you might be surprised to know) at one point, but it was withdrawn.

According to ESPN, he is a three star recruit and is our second to date.  On the 1-100 scale, he is our highest ranked player.

Coach has said we have 9 verbals, which means some have not been reported publicly, which is not unusual at the MAC level.  John Wager of The Blade has also promised a recruiting update on his Falcon Fodder Blog, which is on the left sidebar.

Woods is MAC East Player of the Week

Falcon linebacker Dwayne Woods is the defensive player of the week in the MAC East.

From the release...

Bowling Green State University linebacker Dwayne Woods was named Mid-American Conference East Division Defensive Player of the Week after recording nine tackles, two pass break-ups and an interception in the 44-28 win over Marshall.

Woods' interception was returned 78 yards for a touchdown, the fourth longest interception for a score in school history.

Congratulations Dwayne.

Schilz likely out for Michigan

The Blade is reporting that Matt Schilz is doubtful for this weekend's game against Michigan but could return for the Buffalo game the following week.  Coach Clawson says the situation is "very fluid" and he will see a doctor again to further assess how serious the injury is.

The depth chart shows Aaron Pankratz or Kellen Pagel as the potential starters for the game on Saturday.

Blog Poll Week 4

This is a draft people.  It is only a draft.  If it had been an actual ballot, you would have been told where to turn for complete information.  If you have feedback, speak the hell up.  

 

 

Falcon Blog Ballot - Week 4

Rank	Team	Delta
1	Ohio St. Buckeyes	--
2	Alabama Crimson Tide	--
3	Texas Longhorns	3
4	Boise St. Broncos	--
5	TCU Horned Frogs	--
6	Oklahoma Sooners	-3
7	Nebraska Cornhuskers	1
8	Oregon Ducks	-1
9	Wisconsin Badgers	1
10	Arkansas Razorbacks	3
11	Florida Gators	--
12	Auburn Tigers	--
13	LSU Tigers	1
14	USC Trojans	1
15	Utah Utes	1
16	Miami Hurricanes	1
17	South Carolina Gamecocks	2
18	Arizona Wildcats	--
19	Penn St. Nittany Lions	1
20	Iowa Hawkeyes	-11
21	Florida St. Seminoles	--
22	Oregon St. Beavers	--
23	Stanford Cardinal	1
24	Michigan Wolverines	-1
25	Michigan St. Spartans	--
Dropouts: North Carolina Tar Heels, Georgia Bulldogs

 

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