Beck provides solid play for Falcons (9-6-13)

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The firm of Bayer and Beck is taking care of the primary tight end duties for the Bowling Green
State University football team again this season.When BG head coach Dave Clawson talks about tight ends,
it’s always Bayer and Beck. And the two are even side-by-side on the same page of the media guide. In fact
they are both listed at 257 pounds.Alex Bayer, a fifth-year senior, is the more well-known partner, earning
third-team all-conference honors last season.Tyler Beck, a senior, is the junior partner, who basically
flies under the radar while playing both tight end and fullback.‘‘We’ve said all along that we have two very
solid tight ends’’ Clawson said.‘‘He’s not been under the radar for us,’’ the coach added about Beck.
‘‘Tyler is a very physical, reliable player. He’s smart. He’s usually very good with his assignments.’’Beck
has no problem with Bayer getting top billing.‘‘I know what Bayer is capable of; he’s an all-conference
player,’’ Beck said. ‘‘I’m prepared every week, just in case something happens.‘‘I know he’s earned his
stripes, and I’m going to be right there behind him, encouraging him.‘‘I like to consider us best friends,’’
Beck added. ‘‘We are always pushing each other and trying to bring out the best in each other.‘‘When one of
us is in, we are watching each other and make sure we get the best out of each play.’’Playing both tight end
and fullback Beck has to be ready for anything, because he’s considered too small to be a tight end and too
big to be a fullback.‘‘It’s definitely different, whether I’m in the backfield, on the line, or out on the
edge,’’ Beck said. ‘‘All the concepts are usually the same, and I have to prepare myself to play any
position out there … I just try to fit whatever role they want me to be in. It’s tough, but I enjoy it. It
gets me out on the field more.‘‘I feel like I’m a guy who can do a lot of things, whether it is blocking or
whether it is catching. I feel like I can be used all over the field.’’For his career, Beck has 18
receptions for 196 yards and a touchdown. His score came on a 5-yard pass against Ohio in 2011.Clawson
pointed out that Beck has made important catches during his career, including two receptions for 42 yards
against Idaho in 2010, two catches for 23 yards against Miami last season, and two catches for 25 yards in
last Thursday’s win over Tulsa. Both of Beck’s catches against Tulsa resulted in a first down.‘‘He has
certainly, over the years at different times, made big plays for us in the pass game,’’ Clawson said.‘‘He’s
not a guy that we go out there and feature. But if the ball goes his way, we are more than comfortable with
it,’’ Clawson added.Being able to be on the receiving end of some passes, makes up for a lot of the grunt
work for Beck.‘‘I don’t get them very often, but when I do I make sure I make the most of the them, just so
they have the confidence in me to keep coming back,’’ Beck said.A first-team all-state player at Wilson High
School in Wyomissing, Pa., Beck decided on Bowling Green because of the family atmosphere.‘‘When I was
getting recruited, I went to visit a lot of schools. They were all great, and they sold you on the best of
everything,’’ Beck said. ‘‘When I came here it was the players that sold me, more so than the facilities and
everything else.‘‘I’m a big family guy … I saw the brotherhood and even though I was just a newcomer, they
welcomed me with open arms, and I couldn’t ask for more.’’

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