Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2019 Notre Dame Football Preview
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122 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY BRYAN DRISKELL Bowling Green has become quite the springboard for the school's head coaches since the turn of this century. It began with Urban Meyer (2001-02) and then Wake For- est's Dave Clawson (2009-13) and Syra- cuse's Dino Babers (2014-15). However, the program went south in a hurry after Babers left, with the Falcons winning just nine games in the three seasons following his departure. Former head coach Mike Jinks was let go after compiling a 7-24 record, and he's now coaching running backs at USC. His replacement — former Boston College offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler — faces a full rebuild job. "Loeffler came to the program already forced to deal with a desolate roster," Sen- tinel-Tribune sports editor Brandon Shriner said. "Then, post-spring, his starting quarter- back transferred out. "The defense lost a handful of contribu- tors, so I would expect the rebuild to be a multi-year process." Shriner is talking about Jarret Doege, who transferred to West Virginia after passing for 2,660 yards and 27 touchdowns last season. Jinks is an Air Raid coach, but Loeffler plans to replace that with a more diverse package that has a hint of the modern spread and the pro-style offense he ran at Boston College. That task would have been easier with Doege behind center, but even without the two-year starter it's full-steam ahead. "Doege wasn't going to be the difference from the playoffs or not," Shriner explained. "It was going to be a long process regardless. "Much of the spring was spent getting players into shape. Loeffler stressed the pro- cess and ran just about every set imaginable: spread, two back, three tight ends, under center. He wanted his offense to not only be diverse, but he stressed he was doing it so that his defense was prepared to handle the ground-and-pound teams and the up-tempo, spread teams." Running the defense is former Notre Dame defensive coordinator Brian Van- Gorder (2014-16). He will be tasked with repairing a unit that ranked 125th in scoring defense last fall. "The players seemed to really enjoy the rapport with VanGorder throughout the spring, but much of their work was basic," Shriner said. "At least for the practices avail- able to the media, there wasn't much com- plexity installed in the scheme yet." Shriner believes there is talent on the back end, but a pass rush that ranked 119th in the nation last fall must improve. "The secondary has an array of experi- ence, but if the front seven can't get pressure that might not matter," Shriner noted. "The defense will be tested weekly." Reasons For Optimism • Running back • Experienced offensive line • Length in the secondary The return of running back Andrew Clair and four starters along the offensive line should allow Bowl- ing Green to protect first-year starting quarterback Grant Loy … Bowling Green's expected starting sec- ondary has exceptional length, with three players standing at least 6-2. Reasons For Concern • Quarterback questions • Lack of front four production • Learning curve Bowling Green is overhauling its schemes on both sides of the ball, which will naturally create a learn- ing curve … Making things more challenging is hav- ing to break in a new quarterback and a front seven that lost five starters from a group that struggled in 2018. BOWLING GREEN FALCONS GAME 5 • OCT. 5 • NOTRE DAME STADIUM X-FACTOR: Bowling Green will look to build around running back Andrew Clair, who rushed for 702 yards last fall in a pass-oriented offense. The 5-10, 199-pounder averaged 5.2 yards per carry and also hauled in 19 passes out of the backfield. PHOTO COURTESY BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY 2019 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2018 Result Aug. 29 Morgan State — Sept. 7 at Kansas State — Sept. 14 Louisiana Tech — Sept. 21 at Kent State L, 35-28 Oct. 5 at Notre Dame — Oct. 12 Toledo L, 52-36 Oct. 19 Central Michigan W, 24-13 Oct. 26 at Western Michigan L, 42-35 Nov. 2 Akron W, 21-6 Nov. 13 at Miami (Ohio) L, 38-23 Nov. 19 Ohio L, 49-14 Nov. 29 at Buffalo L, 44-14 QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: First meet- ing Head Coach: Scot Loeffler, 0-0 at Bowling Green and over- all (1st year) 2018 Results: 3-9 overall, 2-6 MAC East (5th) Returning Starters: 9 (6 offense, 3 defense) Prediction: Notre Dame 56, Bowling Green 10 RETURNING LEADERS Rushing: RB Andrew Clair (702 yards, 5 TD) Passing: QB Grant Loy (180 yards, 2 TD) Receiving: WR Quintin Morris (516 yards, 7 TD) Tackles: S Jerry McBride III (106) Sacks: DE Karl Brooks (3.5) Interceptions: None