For the last two seasons, the Bowling Green football team has been known for it’s offense. This year looks to be no exception, with several starters returning on that side of the ball. But the play of the defense could determine how successful this season is. Falcons’ defensive coordinator Tim Beckman said that the defense is enthusiastic about the upcoming season.
“We’re excited; the guys are working hard,” Beckman said. “The anxiety is there, and every time we step on the field we want to get better.”
Beckman said the strongest defensive area is in the secondary, where four starters are returning. Janssen Patton, Michael Malone, Jason Morton and Keon Newson make up one of the most experienced position cores on the team.
Beckman said the secondary will be among the best in the Mid-American Conference.
“That kind of experience, you just can’t pass it up,” Beckman said. “They are as good as anybody in this conference, all four of them together.”
Patton, entering into his final season at BG, said he is ready for the season to start.
“This is one of those seasons where you know it’s your last one and you’re just ready to play it,” Patton said. “It can’t get here soon enough. I’m ready to get out on the field and play that first game.”
Head Coach Gregg Brandon said he has also been happy with the leadership exhibited by the starters, helping the younger players in the secondary.
“Our four freshman DBs [defensive backs] can be as good as the older kids in couple of years, they’re that skilled,” Brandon said. In contrast to the experience in the secondary, Beckman considers the linebacker core to be the weakest on the defense, due to inexperience. With the loss of Chris Haneline, Beckman said players such as Jovon Burkes and Daniel Sayles will be asked to carry the load. Burkes will take over for Haneline at middle linebacker, and Beckman said it’s important for Sayles be strong this season.
“He’s a guy who hasn’t had a lot of experience,” Beckman said. “He’s the one that is going to have to step up and perform.”
The defensive line is an area that is full of youth, with two red shirt sophomores, one true sophomore and a true freshman penciled in at the top of the depth chart.
Beckman said that while the front four of Mitchell Crossley, Mike Thaler, Matt Leininger and Devon Parks are young, he is confident that they will thrive.
“We’ve got a young defensive front, but they’ve all played for us,” Beckman said. “Parks came in in January and did a great job for us, and has earned a starting job right now.”
One of the leaders on defense, Patton said that he likes what he has seen thus far from the defensive line.
“It’s a little bit of a change in that aspect, but I think it’s a change for the best,” Patton said. “We got a lot more athletic up front.”
Patton said he expects the defense to perform well this season. “We have come out every day, and you can see that we are getting better and better,” Patton said. “Just from what I have seen, I can tell that we are going to have a real special defense this year.