1* TOLEDO +4
ytd - 26-11 (+12.75*)
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o
></o>
_____________________________________
BGSU 3-2 on the road ytd (losses @ <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:State><st1lace>Oklahoma</st1lace></st1:State>, <st1lace><st1:City>No</st1:City> <st1:State>Ill</st1:State></st1lace>)
BGSU allowing 24 ppg ytd on the road ; scoring 38
TOL – allowing 16.5 ppg at home ytd, scoring 38.7
Home team has won each of the last six meetings
Opponents offensive averages – TOL = 26; BGSU = 25.1
Opponents defensive averages – TOL = 31; BGSU = 32.5 <o></o>
TOL D Comparison<o></o>
Games 1-3............ Games 4-10<o></o>
Points 52.7............ 19.9<o></o>
TDs* 7.0.................. 2.0<o></o>
Yards 581.0............ 338.7<o></o>
Passing 310.0 241.0<o></o>
Rushing 271.0 97.6<o></o>
* Counts only TDs allowed by defense<o></o>
<st1:City><st1lace>TOLEDO</st1lace></st1:City> NOTES<o></o>
TOL vs NIU last week – out-gained NIU in total yards, 512-180, second half 293-19 <o></o>
TOL vs NIU last week - 30 .first downs to NIU’s 10, controlling the ball for 41:23. <o></o>
TOL vs NIU last week - scoring drives were 80, 80, 74, 83 and 83 yards<o></o>
TOL – 5-7 against ranked teams all time<o></o>
TOL – Lance Moore – 70 receptions, 870 yards and 9 TD’s <o></o>
TOL on National TV<o></o>
2004: (1-2)<o></o>
Sept. 4: at <st1:State><st1lace>Minnesota</st1lace></st1:State> 63, <st1:City><st1lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City> 21 (ESPN2)<o></o>
Oct. 16: at <st1:City><st1lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City> 31, <st1:State><st1lace>Ohio</st1lace></st1:State> 13 (ESPN)<o></o>
Nov. 2: at Miami 23, Toledo 16 (ESPN2)<o></o>
Nov. 9: <st1:City><st1lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City> 31, at <st1lace>Northern Illinois</st1lace> 17 (ESPN2)<o></o>
Nov. 23: <st1:City><st1lace>Bowling Green</st1lace></st1:City> at <st1:City><st1lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City> (ESPN2)<o></o>
2003: (1-2)<o></o>
Aug. 29: at UNLV 28, Toledo 18 (ESPN)<o></o>
Sept. 12: <st1:City><st1lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City> 24, at <st1:City><st1lace>Marshall</st1lace></st1:City> 17 (ESPN)<o></o>
Nov. 29: <st1:City><st1lace>Bowling Green</st1lace></st1:City> 31, <st1:City><st1lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City> 23 (ESPN)<o></o>
BGSU NOTES<o></o>
BGSU holds a 34-26-8 series lead
BGSU leads MAC (#3 overall) in total offense @ 496.4 ypg;
BGSU 50% conversions on third down
BGSU is second in the nation in fewest turnovers committed
BGSU leads the MAC and is fifth nationally in turnover margin at +1.30 pg
BGSU leads the MAC in Red Zone defense (68.6)
BGSU has outscored its opponents 146-20 in the first quarter
BGSU average halftime lead this season of 27-9 BGSU L7 allowing 16.3 ppg ; 2.9 yards per rush and 98.5 rushing
BGSU Kicker – <o></o>
FIELD GOALS G Att Made Lg Pct
2001................ 11 8 3 28 37.5
2002................ 12 14 12 43 85.7
2003................ 14 24 16 47 66.7
TOTAL............... 37 46 31 47 67.4<o></o>
QA with Gregg Brandon
Q: Can you give us an update on Cornelius McGrady?
GB I think Corn is okay. He was in the locker room after the game (vs. <st1:City><st1lace>Marshall</st1lace></st1:City> on Saturday). I hope he will be cleared today. <o></o>
Q: Did you give them a couple of days off? What is the schedule for this week?
GB: Yeah, they had yesterday and today off. Then the schedule will be back as usual. <o></o>
Q: Did you give any thought to trying to score in the final seconds of the (<st1:City><st1lace>Marshall</st1lace></st1:City>) game?
GB: No, (I was thinking) just run the clock out and get out of there. The damage has been done. <o></o>
Q: Do you see UT unfolding like the <st1:City><st1lace>Marshall</st1lace></st1:City> game -- our offense against their defense?
GB: Last week, I challenged our defense to beat their defense. This week I'm challenging our offense to beat their offense. We're first (in the MAC) in a lot of stats and they're second. We need to control the football and score points, and keep their offense on the sideline. <o></o>
Q: Can you give an assessment of <st1:City><st1lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City>'s offense?
GB: Well, everybody says that <st1:City><st1lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City> is a spread offense, which they are, but they play a lot with two tight ends. Toledo will run the ball down your throat, and that is what I anticipate them doing. They have a big, physical offensive line. Scooter McDougle is a quality back ... he will pound you. All you've got to do is watch the second half of the <st1lace>Northern Illinois</st1lace> game to know <st1:City><st1lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City> has had a lot of big games. Bruce Gradkowski is very good on the perimeter. Lance Moore is one of the best receivers in the conference right now. So, they'll pound it, pound it, pound it, and then play-action us and try to throw it over our head. <o></o>
Q: Bruce Gradkowski is a surprisingly successful runner. Do you need to keep him from running?
GB: Yeah, we need to keep him from breaking loose on us and running for some first downs. That is going to be tough duty because we need to tackle their backs, and if he's one of them, that is just an added chore on our defense. So, we need to contain Gradkowski. We can't let him scramble around. <o></o>
Q: <st1:City><st1lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City> always seems to find their tight ends for a big play. Is that something you need to prepare for?
GB: We've got to practice against it and we'll prepare ... Our kids will be ready to play. It's a rivalry game and those games are always fun. <o></o>
Q: Can you talk about the rivalry?
GB It's been a great rivalry. The fact that the schools are only 20 miles apart makes it all the more intriguing. It's a great rivalry because no one team dominates the series. Both teams have as good of chance to win as the other, and there is a lot at stake in the game. <o></o>
Q: Is there any one thing about <st1:City><st1lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City> that concerns you more than others?
GB: Any time, in my opinion, you have a quarterback that has the ability to win games that is my number-one concern. We have to contain Gradkowski because he makes it go -- just like Omar (Jacobs) makes it go for us. He has a lot of weapons, and they protect him. So that's the biggest concern. When I click on a film, I watch the quarterback. Can the quarterback beat you? If he can beat you then that is where I'm going to focus. If he can't, then I'm going to look for somebody else that can beat us. Right now Gradkowski has that ability so we need to contain him. At least slow him down a little bit. <o></o>
Q: Is there a concern about UT's defense after the way they shut <st1lace>Northern Illinois</st1lace> down?
GB: Well, I'll give Coach (Tom) Amstutz credit because they were giving up a lot of points early and they had some injuries. He has done a good job of keeping that defense together and you can see them getting better week-to-week on film, and they're playing together. They've changed their scheme a little bit. I know they're working to give their kids a chance, and I'll give them credit. They're doing a nice job, at least controlling offenses so they that have a chance to win games. He's gotten them right where they need to be right now; playing for a championship in November. <o></o>
Q: A lot of attention has been given to Omar. But can you talk about some guys that maybe don't get as much attention?
GB: Our offensive line has been outstanding all year. Seven sacks [this season], only two of those have been on the line. The others were covered sacks or where Omar got caught. That to me is incredible. And only three interceptions -- that is a credit to Omar and the offensive line. The receivers have been getting open, so Omar has places to go with the ball. The running game with P.J. Pope ... that at times has not been effective, but then at times it shows up when you need it most. <o></o>
Q: Is there something that has clicked with P.J. lately that has gotten him going?
GB: I think it just the nature of the defenses that we see. We were able to run P.J. against <st1:City><st1lace>Marshall</st1lace></st1:City> because they were playing a lot of what we call nickel defense. They played that almost the entire game. They didn't play with three linebackers, so it was evident what they thought they had to stop. With P.J., we were able to get him loose if some of those fronts were covered, because they were hunkered down to stop the pass. And <st1:City><st1lace>Marshall</st1lace></st1:City> is typically an aggressive pass-rushing team, so you get some running lanes in there. <o></o>
Q: In terms of receivers, Steve Sanders is a guy who has really come on...
GB: Steve has really come on. He's emerged as a big time guy. He's as important in the scheme as a go-to guy as Chuck Sharon, Cole Magner, James Hawkins and Cornelius McGrady are. It's nice that Steve has elevated his game, so that he can be a guy in crunch time now. <o></o>
Q: Is that all it is; he's picked his game up?
GB: Yeah, he's matured and gotten stronger and faster. He's taking coaching now ... he trusts the system. He knows if he does what he's coached to do that he'll have success and not just freelance out there and think I'm going to do it my way. He's a true team player and he's unselfish. That's the key at the receiver position because there's only one football, and you've got to have guys that are unselfish and willing to be team guys. They may not get all the catches or the scores, but they're going to block for the guy that gets it, or they'll run a great route to help somebody else get open. Those are all things that Coach (Zach) Azzanni has done a great job of teaching those kids. We are an unselfish football team, and the credit comes in the end when you're in a game like this and you're playing for a championship and a chance in a bowl game. That is when you get your credit. <o></o>
Q: Can you talk a little bit about Cole Magner? Is he the second or third thought for opponents, or do these other guys benefit because Cole is the first thought?
GB: Well, I don't necessarily know if he's the first thought. You've got five guys that can play and be the first thought. I think the emergence of Chuck (<st1:City><st1lace>Sharon</st1lace></st1:City>) and Steve (Sanders) has given us other weapons. People that may have originally been double-teaming Cole may now be double teaming Chuck or Steve. Cole was hurt early. The first four games he was not himself because he had the broken foot. And he's bounced back from that. He's back to his old self, and I think it takes a lot of pressure off of him to play with the other guys. I think Josh Harris and Cole had a great relationship. They just threw constantly in the off-season. Omar has developed that relationship with everybody. He's using the entire offense. <o></o>
Q: Defensively, who are the spotlight guys?
GB: Well, Keon Newson is a very instinctive player. But when Keon makes plays it's because he's doing the right thing. He's in the right spot. The pick he got Saturday was a result of Ryan Newble, who tipped the ball and Keon was right there. So that is team defense. We preach the same thing on both sides of the ball. You're successful on defense because you're in the right gap; you're playing your responsibility. You're not freelancing, you're not running through the A gap when you're supposed to be running through the B gap. That is why we've played better defensively and now we're leading the MAC in scoring defense. We give up some yards, but that is an interesting stat. We are number one in the conference in pass efficiency defense, yet we're ninth in pass defense. That tells you that we give up some passing yards, but we are an efficient defense. We don't give up points, we don't give up a lot of big plays that way, so that is a credit to Tim Beckman and what he has done with those kids. I think Jovon Burkes is playing as good as he's ever played right now. He's in great form and he had a big game Saturday. Our front seems to get better every week. Devon Parks and Mitchell Crossley are emerging as forces. Our interior guys, Mike Thaler, Matt Leininger, Monty Cooley, and Brad Williams, are dominating players. It was interesting for me to see that with about seven minutes left in the game, <st1:City><st1lace>Marshall</st1lace></st1:City> just kind of checked out. They weren't hurrying to the line. They were running the ball. They weren't trying to hurry and score to try and get back in the game, because I think our defense wore them out. That's encouraging because we played <st1:City><st1lace>Marshall</st1lace></st1:City> down there four years ago, and we hung in there with them, but they out hit us, they were faster, and Leftwich was a great player. I remember leaving that game just going, 'Man, if that's who we need to beat, we've got some work to do.' Well, four years later, we outhit them, we were faster, and we were more physical. Omar is every bit as good as (Byron) Leftwich was when he was a sophomore, and I think our program is at the level now where we've played with the best and we've beat the best. And that's a credit to Coach (Aaron) Hillman and our strength program, our coaches, our recruiting, our players buying into the system, and it is just encouraging that we dominated a team like Marshall who has great talent and great speed. We blocked them ... (Jonathan) Goddard didn't even get close. Andrew Hart was our player of the game. That's exciting for <st1:City><st1lace>Bowling Green</st1lace></st1:City> football. <o></o>
Q: Would you be surprised if there were not a lot of guys on the All-MAC Team, and how would you feel if not a lot of guys made the team?
GB: Well, I don't really pay much attention to that. Yeah, I'd be surprised, but that is the way it goes. You can't vote for your own guys. I think Omar is the best quarterback in the conference. I think a couple of our receivers are first team players. I think Scott Mruczkowski and a couple of our lineman are first-team lineman. I think P.J. Pope is a first-team back, and Jovon Burkes is a first-team linebacker. Jelani Jordan is really playing well on the corner. Keon Newson and a couple of our inside guys -- Thaler, Parks, Crossley -- are worthy of recognition ... first team, second team, somewhere in there. <o></o>
Q:Scott Mruczkowski, can you talk about him playing every game, through injuries, etc?
GB: He's put himself in a position to be a great player by his work ethic. He takes care of himself, he's one of the strongest guys on the team, and he plays with a degree of tenacity that unless you study and watch you don't really notice. Andrew Hart wasn't the only guy blocking that end. We had a plan for him, to neutralize him. Scott was involved in that and so were Andy Grubb and Lichtensteiger. Scott is the leader of the offensive line. Those guys are really playing well together, and Scott is the anchor. He's a guy that you take for granted because he shotgun snaps perfect almost every time. He blocks the right guy, he makes the right call, and you take a great player like that for granted.
ytd - 26-11 (+12.75*)
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>_____________________________________
BGSU 3-2 on the road ytd (losses @ <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
ffice:smarttags" /><st1:State><st1lace>Oklahoma</st1lace></st1:State>, <st1lace><st1:City>No</st1:City> <st1:State>Ill</st1:State></st1lace>)BGSU allowing 24 ppg ytd on the road ; scoring 38
TOL – allowing 16.5 ppg at home ytd, scoring 38.7
Home team has won each of the last six meetings
Opponents offensive averages – TOL = 26; BGSU = 25.1
Opponents defensive averages – TOL = 31; BGSU = 32.5 <o
></o>TOL D Comparison<o
></o>Games 1-3............ Games 4-10<o
></o>Points 52.7............ 19.9<o
></o>TDs* 7.0.................. 2.0<o
></o>Yards 581.0............ 338.7<o
></o>Passing 310.0 241.0<o
></o>Rushing 271.0 97.6<o
></o>* Counts only TDs allowed by defense<o
></o><st1:City><st1
lace>TOLEDO</st1lace></st1:City> NOTES<o></o>TOL vs NIU last week – out-gained NIU in total yards, 512-180, second half 293-19 <o
></o>TOL vs NIU last week - 30 .first downs to NIU’s 10, controlling the ball for 41:23. <o
></o>TOL vs NIU last week - scoring drives were 80, 80, 74, 83 and 83 yards<o
></o>TOL – 5-7 against ranked teams all time<o
></o>TOL – Lance Moore – 70 receptions, 870 yards and 9 TD’s <o
></o>TOL on National TV<o
></o>2004: (1-2)<o
></o>Sept. 4: at <st1:State><st1
lace>Minnesota</st1lace></st1:State> 63, <st1:City><st1lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City> 21 (ESPN2)<o></o>Oct. 16: at <st1:City><st1
lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City> 31, <st1:State><st1lace>Ohio</st1lace></st1:State> 13 (ESPN)<o></o>Nov. 2: at Miami 23, Toledo 16 (ESPN2)<o
></o>Nov. 9: <st1:City><st1
lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City> 31, at <st1lace>Northern Illinois</st1lace> 17 (ESPN2)<o></o>Nov. 23: <st1:City><st1
lace>Bowling Green</st1lace></st1:City> at <st1:City><st1lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City> (ESPN2)<o></o>2003: (1-2)<o
></o>Aug. 29: at UNLV 28, Toledo 18 (ESPN)<o
></o>Sept. 12: <st1:City><st1
lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City> 24, at <st1:City><st1lace>Marshall</st1lace></st1:City> 17 (ESPN)<o></o>Nov. 29: <st1:City><st1
lace>Bowling Green</st1lace></st1:City> 31, <st1:City><st1lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City> 23 (ESPN)<o></o>BGSU NOTES<o
></o>BGSU holds a 34-26-8 series lead
BGSU leads MAC (#3 overall) in total offense @ 496.4 ypg;
BGSU 50% conversions on third down
BGSU is second in the nation in fewest turnovers committed
BGSU leads the MAC and is fifth nationally in turnover margin at +1.30 pg
BGSU leads the MAC in Red Zone defense (68.6)
BGSU has outscored its opponents 146-20 in the first quarter
BGSU average halftime lead this season of 27-9 BGSU L7 allowing 16.3 ppg ; 2.9 yards per rush and 98.5 rushing
BGSU Kicker – <o
></o>FIELD GOALS G Att Made Lg Pct
2001................ 11 8 3 28 37.5
2002................ 12 14 12 43 85.7
2003................ 14 24 16 47 66.7
TOTAL............... 37 46 31 47 67.4<o
></o>QA with Gregg Brandon
Q: Can you give us an update on Cornelius McGrady?
GB I think Corn is okay. He was in the locker room after the game (vs. <st1:City><st1
lace>Marshall</st1lace></st1:City> on Saturday). I hope he will be cleared today. <o></o>Q: Did you give them a couple of days off? What is the schedule for this week?
GB: Yeah, they had yesterday and today off. Then the schedule will be back as usual. <o
></o>Q: Did you give any thought to trying to score in the final seconds of the (<st1:City><st1
lace>Marshall</st1lace></st1:City>) game?GB: No, (I was thinking) just run the clock out and get out of there. The damage has been done. <o
></o>Q: Do you see UT unfolding like the <st1:City><st1
lace>Marshall</st1lace></st1:City> game -- our offense against their defense?GB: Last week, I challenged our defense to beat their defense. This week I'm challenging our offense to beat their offense. We're first (in the MAC) in a lot of stats and they're second. We need to control the football and score points, and keep their offense on the sideline. <o
></o>Q: Can you give an assessment of <st1:City><st1
lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City>'s offense?GB: Well, everybody says that <st1:City><st1
lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City> is a spread offense, which they are, but they play a lot with two tight ends. Toledo will run the ball down your throat, and that is what I anticipate them doing. They have a big, physical offensive line. Scooter McDougle is a quality back ... he will pound you. All you've got to do is watch the second half of the <st1lace>Northern Illinois</st1lace> game to know <st1:City><st1lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City> has had a lot of big games. Bruce Gradkowski is very good on the perimeter. Lance Moore is one of the best receivers in the conference right now. So, they'll pound it, pound it, pound it, and then play-action us and try to throw it over our head. <o></o>Q: Bruce Gradkowski is a surprisingly successful runner. Do you need to keep him from running?
GB: Yeah, we need to keep him from breaking loose on us and running for some first downs. That is going to be tough duty because we need to tackle their backs, and if he's one of them, that is just an added chore on our defense. So, we need to contain Gradkowski. We can't let him scramble around. <o
></o>Q: <st1:City><st1
lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City> always seems to find their tight ends for a big play. Is that something you need to prepare for?GB: We've got to practice against it and we'll prepare ... Our kids will be ready to play. It's a rivalry game and those games are always fun. <o
></o>Q: Can you talk about the rivalry?
GB It's been a great rivalry. The fact that the schools are only 20 miles apart makes it all the more intriguing. It's a great rivalry because no one team dominates the series. Both teams have as good of chance to win as the other, and there is a lot at stake in the game. <o
></o>Q: Is there any one thing about <st1:City><st1
lace>Toledo</st1lace></st1:City> that concerns you more than others?GB: Any time, in my opinion, you have a quarterback that has the ability to win games that is my number-one concern. We have to contain Gradkowski because he makes it go -- just like Omar (Jacobs) makes it go for us. He has a lot of weapons, and they protect him. So that's the biggest concern. When I click on a film, I watch the quarterback. Can the quarterback beat you? If he can beat you then that is where I'm going to focus. If he can't, then I'm going to look for somebody else that can beat us. Right now Gradkowski has that ability so we need to contain him. At least slow him down a little bit. <o
></o>Q: Is there a concern about UT's defense after the way they shut <st1
lace>Northern Illinois</st1lace> down?GB: Well, I'll give Coach (Tom) Amstutz credit because they were giving up a lot of points early and they had some injuries. He has done a good job of keeping that defense together and you can see them getting better week-to-week on film, and they're playing together. They've changed their scheme a little bit. I know they're working to give their kids a chance, and I'll give them credit. They're doing a nice job, at least controlling offenses so they that have a chance to win games. He's gotten them right where they need to be right now; playing for a championship in November. <o
></o>Q: A lot of attention has been given to Omar. But can you talk about some guys that maybe don't get as much attention?
GB: Our offensive line has been outstanding all year. Seven sacks [this season], only two of those have been on the line. The others were covered sacks or where Omar got caught. That to me is incredible. And only three interceptions -- that is a credit to Omar and the offensive line. The receivers have been getting open, so Omar has places to go with the ball. The running game with P.J. Pope ... that at times has not been effective, but then at times it shows up when you need it most. <o
></o>Q: Is there something that has clicked with P.J. lately that has gotten him going?
GB: I think it just the nature of the defenses that we see. We were able to run P.J. against <st1:City><st1
lace>Marshall</st1lace></st1:City> because they were playing a lot of what we call nickel defense. They played that almost the entire game. They didn't play with three linebackers, so it was evident what they thought they had to stop. With P.J., we were able to get him loose if some of those fronts were covered, because they were hunkered down to stop the pass. And <st1:City><st1lace>Marshall</st1lace></st1:City> is typically an aggressive pass-rushing team, so you get some running lanes in there. <o></o>Q: In terms of receivers, Steve Sanders is a guy who has really come on...
GB: Steve has really come on. He's emerged as a big time guy. He's as important in the scheme as a go-to guy as Chuck Sharon, Cole Magner, James Hawkins and Cornelius McGrady are. It's nice that Steve has elevated his game, so that he can be a guy in crunch time now. <o
></o>Q: Is that all it is; he's picked his game up?
GB: Yeah, he's matured and gotten stronger and faster. He's taking coaching now ... he trusts the system. He knows if he does what he's coached to do that he'll have success and not just freelance out there and think I'm going to do it my way. He's a true team player and he's unselfish. That's the key at the receiver position because there's only one football, and you've got to have guys that are unselfish and willing to be team guys. They may not get all the catches or the scores, but they're going to block for the guy that gets it, or they'll run a great route to help somebody else get open. Those are all things that Coach (Zach) Azzanni has done a great job of teaching those kids. We are an unselfish football team, and the credit comes in the end when you're in a game like this and you're playing for a championship and a chance in a bowl game. That is when you get your credit. <o
></o>Q: Can you talk a little bit about Cole Magner? Is he the second or third thought for opponents, or do these other guys benefit because Cole is the first thought?
GB: Well, I don't necessarily know if he's the first thought. You've got five guys that can play and be the first thought. I think the emergence of Chuck (<st1:City><st1
lace>Sharon</st1lace></st1:City>) and Steve (Sanders) has given us other weapons. People that may have originally been double-teaming Cole may now be double teaming Chuck or Steve. Cole was hurt early. The first four games he was not himself because he had the broken foot. And he's bounced back from that. He's back to his old self, and I think it takes a lot of pressure off of him to play with the other guys. I think Josh Harris and Cole had a great relationship. They just threw constantly in the off-season. Omar has developed that relationship with everybody. He's using the entire offense. <o></o>Q: Defensively, who are the spotlight guys?
GB: Well, Keon Newson is a very instinctive player. But when Keon makes plays it's because he's doing the right thing. He's in the right spot. The pick he got Saturday was a result of Ryan Newble, who tipped the ball and Keon was right there. So that is team defense. We preach the same thing on both sides of the ball. You're successful on defense because you're in the right gap; you're playing your responsibility. You're not freelancing, you're not running through the A gap when you're supposed to be running through the B gap. That is why we've played better defensively and now we're leading the MAC in scoring defense. We give up some yards, but that is an interesting stat. We are number one in the conference in pass efficiency defense, yet we're ninth in pass defense. That tells you that we give up some passing yards, but we are an efficient defense. We don't give up points, we don't give up a lot of big plays that way, so that is a credit to Tim Beckman and what he has done with those kids. I think Jovon Burkes is playing as good as he's ever played right now. He's in great form and he had a big game Saturday. Our front seems to get better every week. Devon Parks and Mitchell Crossley are emerging as forces. Our interior guys, Mike Thaler, Matt Leininger, Monty Cooley, and Brad Williams, are dominating players. It was interesting for me to see that with about seven minutes left in the game, <st1:City><st1
lace>Marshall</st1lace></st1:City> just kind of checked out. They weren't hurrying to the line. They were running the ball. They weren't trying to hurry and score to try and get back in the game, because I think our defense wore them out. That's encouraging because we played <st1:City><st1lace>Marshall</st1lace></st1:City> down there four years ago, and we hung in there with them, but they out hit us, they were faster, and Leftwich was a great player. I remember leaving that game just going, 'Man, if that's who we need to beat, we've got some work to do.' Well, four years later, we outhit them, we were faster, and we were more physical. Omar is every bit as good as (Byron) Leftwich was when he was a sophomore, and I think our program is at the level now where we've played with the best and we've beat the best. And that's a credit to Coach (Aaron) Hillman and our strength program, our coaches, our recruiting, our players buying into the system, and it is just encouraging that we dominated a team like Marshall who has great talent and great speed. We blocked them ... (Jonathan) Goddard didn't even get close. Andrew Hart was our player of the game. That's exciting for <st1:City><st1lace>Bowling Green</st1lace></st1:City> football. <o></o>Q: Would you be surprised if there were not a lot of guys on the All-MAC Team, and how would you feel if not a lot of guys made the team?
GB: Well, I don't really pay much attention to that. Yeah, I'd be surprised, but that is the way it goes. You can't vote for your own guys. I think Omar is the best quarterback in the conference. I think a couple of our receivers are first team players. I think Scott Mruczkowski and a couple of our lineman are first-team lineman. I think P.J. Pope is a first-team back, and Jovon Burkes is a first-team linebacker. Jelani Jordan is really playing well on the corner. Keon Newson and a couple of our inside guys -- Thaler, Parks, Crossley -- are worthy of recognition ... first team, second team, somewhere in there. <o
></o>Q:Scott Mruczkowski, can you talk about him playing every game, through injuries, etc?
GB: He's put himself in a position to be a great player by his work ethic. He takes care of himself, he's one of the strongest guys on the team, and he plays with a degree of tenacity that unless you study and watch you don't really notice. Andrew Hart wasn't the only guy blocking that end. We had a plan for him, to neutralize him. Scott was involved in that and so were Andy Grubb and Lichtensteiger. Scott is the leader of the offensive line. Those guys are really playing well together, and Scott is the anchor. He's a guy that you take for granted because he shotgun snaps perfect almost every time. He blocks the right guy, he makes the right call, and you take a great player like that for granted.
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