AP NCAA Basketball
| Clawson has to-do list for Falcons (08-08-12) |
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| Written by JACK CARLE Sentinel Sports Editor | ||
| Wednesday, 08 August 2012 09:19 | ||
Clawson said the Falcons have to defend the run better, take care of the ball on offense and find a way to win close games. "Those are the three things we are working on specifically in camp," Clawson said. "How we execute those will have a lot to do with how we do this year." Opponents averaged 203.4 rushing yards per game last season and scored 24 touchdowns against the Falcons. BG gave up more than 250 yards rushing five times, going 0-5, last season and went 1-6 when giving up 28 or more points in a game. There are veterans returning at every position on defense and Clawson hopes that experience will pay off against the run. Leading the way are Chris Jones at defensive tackle, Dwayne Woods at linebacker, and Jerry 'BooBoo' Gates, who has moved to safety. "You want to be a run stopper. If the run is stopped, then teams are forced to pass," Jones said. The Falcons had 24 turnovers last season, 14 interceptions and 14 lost fumbles. Clawson is hoping to cut the turnovers in half for the 2012 season. "That's 14 more (offensive) possessions," Clawson said. "It helps you with field position." Clawson said the offense will benefit from an improved line play and also the experience of quarterback Matt Schilz, who will be in his third year as a starter. "Matt's decision-making has improved," Clawson said. "Last year a lot of our improvement was due to his improvement. He threw for over 3,000 yards and he threw for 28 touchdowns and did a lot of positive things. "The one glaring thing you say to him is that we have to take care of the football better," Clawson continued. "And (as a team) we have to take care of the ball better. We had 14 fumbles last year (on offense and special teams)." Of BG's seven losses in 2011, three came by seven points or less, including conference games against Toledo (28-21) and Ohio (29-28). Toledo went 7-1 in the MAC West and Ohio won the MAC East with a 6-2 record. Clawson hopes that the stability in the coaching staff will pay dividends this year. "It's four years in a row now that we've had the same head coach, the same offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, and special teams coordinator," Clawson said. "The great thing is that these guys (the players) have learned one system and every year they have learned it better and better. "That's part of the reason that we improved so much last year," Clawson continued. "We went from one of the worst offenses in the conference to middle of the pack. We went from one of the worst defenses in the conference to middle of the pack. We went from a lower half special teams unit to one of the best in the conference. "Now we have everybody back and if we can make that same improvements that should show up in the win column." NOTE: A total of 105 players have shown up and been issued equipment for fall camp ... Clay Rolf, a redshirt sophomore from Eastwood High School, is a tight end and snaps for some kicks ... Hayden Pryka, a redshirt junior from Perrysburg High School, is a linebacker ... Pryka played one season at the University of Findlay. |
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| Last Updated on Wednesday, 08 August 2012 10:07 |
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