BGSU football is 2-3 after their 35-20 loss to Ohio in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) opener on Saturday. The Falcons facing a losing record for the first time this season has resulted in new questions about the team.
Here are some of the questions that were sent in for this week’s Falcon Media Sports Network mailbag:
Q (Nick—Marysville): Not much of a question, more of a statement, and would love to get your opinion. IMO, the offense needs to transition to more of a spread-triple option identity similar to Jamey Chadwell’s style. The personnel is there for it, and clearly, a traditional passing attack isn’t at least this year.
A (Sean Connelly): The spread offense is becoming increasingly popular with almost every team in the country, with a vast majority adopting it in some sort. While I do believe the run game is there for it, the pass game still needs some time. The frustration is warranted because of how it looked in the first five games of the season. But we all knew going in that this part of the schedule was going to be a struggle. The schedule opens up for this offense to start blooming after the UT game. If these struggles on offense face-plant versus Toledo and continue to struggle after that, then I would have to agree that the pass game isn’t there yet. But the Falcons are on the tail end of the hardest part of their schedule. The pass game has time to redeem itself in the second half of the season.
Q (Mark Robinson): Why isn’t Arlis Boardingham getting a chance to play? Is he hurt? Played in big games for Florida and did well, and gets to BG, they bring in a new coach, and he is getting sidelined, why? He can block, catch and run! Something does not smell right!
A (Tyler Kavalecz): Appreciate the question, Mark. There were more questions about Boardingham this week than anything else, by quite a large margin. This question has been asked all year, and there has been no update from the coaching staff on his status. The last update was that Boardingham is still working his way back from surgery in February for a shoulder injury suffered last season at Florida. As the weeks go by, the odds of him redshirting increase, especially with no word about him from the coaching staff since before the season.
Q (Adam—Cleveland): How can we use Lucian Anderson more in the offense without becoming predictable?
A (Connelly): In years past, Lucian was used strictly for running, unless said otherwise. So, the predictability of the offense when Lucian does enter the game is seen. However, that’s for a reason; he is very talented with his legs. That said, I would personally love to see him have more packages to throw it out more to fool the defense. I’ve seen him warm up numerous times before games, and I have seen the type of arm that he has; he has a cannon for an arm. If you could set up some play-action to roll out Lucian, so he could have the opportunity to run if needed, but also showcase his arm.
Q (Spencer—Stow, Ohio): Who has been the most surprising player this year?
A (Kavalecz): Thanks for the question, Spencer. It has to be redshirt freshman running back and kick returner Cameron Pettaway. Pettaway did not play at all last season and was not talked about much before this season, overshadowed by other names in the crowded running back room. However, Pettaway has been electric. He ranks second on the team with 194 rushing yards and 5.10 rushing yards per attempt this year. The Farmington Hills, Michigan, native is also averaging 37.3 yards per kick return, leading the MAC. Also, who can forget the most exciting play of the year, Pettaway’s 98-yard kick return touchdown in the very first play of the season.
To submit questions for next week’s mailbag, fill out the form here.
