BGSU football head coach Eddie George held his week three press conference Monday afternoon ahead of the upcoming homecoming game against Liberty on Saturday.

Here were the Falcon Four takeaways from the media availability:

Playmakers on the offensive side of the ball:

Bowling Green has had 12 different pass catchers over the first two games of the season, which, to George and quarterback Drew Pyne, is a good thing. They both like having as many players as possible available to catch the ball and rely on. 

“We have playmakers, and it’s not about plays, it’s about players,” said George. “So, we got weapons. Guys want to get the ball in their hands and let them do their thing. So, anytime Drew has to distribute options and all of them can make plays, we want to do just that.” 

Pyne followed suit with what his head coach had to say. 

“I think it’s great to have a superstar and all that. But, you know, I think we got a couple. But at the same time, we got a lot of guys that I can rely on and guys that come to practice each and every day with an intent to get better and intent to have detail and practice and to go out there in the games and execute,” said Pyne. “So, I think having such depth in the receiver room, like you said, is, is, very important and a big part of our offense.” 

Eating for results: 

George shared a few things about his first couple of months in BG and how he had to stay at a Best Western hotel before getting truly settled in. He mentions to his team that there are no excuses and that they eat for results, not pleasure. 

“I don’t believe in excuses. I’m going to play the hand that’s dealt, and that’s it. You know, there was no complaining about me, and I tell the kids the same thing,” George said. “When they’re complaining about, ‘My eggs aren’t over easy, or they’re not scrambled egg whites.’ I said, ‘We’re not eating for pleasure. We’re eating for results. So, this grilled chicken and the vegetable and potato with no butter. Guess what? That’s what we’re going to eat.’

They’re eating for results, not for your pleasure.  

But when you win? 

That’s when you get rewarded. 

“Now, when we win, you go out and you go get a steak, you go out and you get that pepperoni pizza with some sausage, bacon, and light salt, you know, whatever that is,” George said. “But for the most part, that’s how I’ve always trained.” 

Starting faster: 

Bowling Green outscored Cincinnati in the second half, 17-13.  

However, George made a point that the team needs to start faster against Liberty.

“We’re going to figure that out this week. I think we’re starting fast. I think getting out there and getting that first down, offensively speaking, sets up the tone. Again, seeing Drew only in two games, I’m still understanding his rhythm and what he likes and what the offense likes. So it’s going to be important for us to focus on getting the first down. And then allowing the offense to go from there,” said George. Defensively, it’s getting off to a fast start by getting a three-and-out or turnover. Special forces-wise, I think we’ve seen that first game of the year, 98-yard touchdown run, and [Cameron] Pettaway is a phenomenal back that can do that.” 

New year, new team: 

Bowling Green lost to Liberty to start the 2023 season 33-24. A game that could’ve gone differently had BG’s quarterbacks not thrown a combined five interceptions.  

When asked if it was motivation for this week, coach George strictly said to move forward and not worry about what happened in 2023. 

“I wasn’t here two years ago. And that’s in the past. This is a brand new era. We’re mindful of this team.  We’re mindful of the success they’ve had. They’re what, 21-5 in the last two years, an undefeated season. They have some explosive players offensively. They’re capable of doing some great things defensively. They’re battle-tested,” said George. “So with that in mind, I can’t worry about who they were, what they did two years ago or what Bill O’Brien did two years ago. That’s what we do moving forward, who we are now, this team, this unit, and making sure our minds are right, our hearts are right, and that we know who this opponent is. We know our plan. We know the situations that we’re going to be in and that we have to execute thereafter at a high level and not worry about what happened two years ago.“