Through its first six games this season Bowling Green’s offense has started very
slowly."You always want to get off to a good start, and we have struggled doing
that this year,” BG head coach Dave Clawson said. "There’s no question, with the
exception of the Rhode Island game, we have not gotten off to a real fast start on
offense."When that happens, the only thing you can do is keep practicing, working
hard and really try to really emphasize the execution aspect of what you’re doing,” he
added.The Falcons cannot afford to fall too far behind against Miami Saturday.The
RedHawks are an explosive offense with a talented veteran quarterback in Zac Dysert and
good skilled players. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. at Perry Stadium, and it’s Bowling Green’s
Family Weekend.Miami and BG are both 3-3 overall, while the RedHawks are 2-0 in the
Mid-American Conference East and the Falcons are 1-1."When you get into conference
play in October, there is certainly a sense of urgency," Clawson said. ”You can’t
predict the future, but you know if you don’t take care of business that you no longer
control your destiny in terms of what your goals are.”The Falcons have won two straight
games, and Clawson said the energy level of the team rises after a victory.”Teams that
win tend to get better, because they are getting that positive reinforcement,"
Clawson said. ”You put all that work into it, you put all the effort, all that film
study, all that practice, and when you don’t win there is no reward for it."When
you win, there is no question that they have an extra bounce in their step at practice
and that allows you to get even better.”WHAMMY: Clawson down plays any thoughts of a
‘Miami Whammy’ although there have been games in the past where some very strange things
have happened resulting in Miami wins and BG losses.Among other things there have been
scoreboard malfunctions, the wrong down displayed on the scoreboard, and wind starting
or stopping when there was a field goal being kicked."We don’t talk about that.
Every game is its own game,” Clawson said. ”If you talk to our players about that,
they probably couldn’t even tell you what it is.”Every year is a new year and every
game is a new game," he continued. "We are aware that we have not had a lot of
success against Miami at home. Certainly, this team wants to change that.”Miami is
42-21-5 all-time against BG and has won six straight games at Perry Stadium.SAMUEL:
Anthon Samuel has played in 15 games during his BG career and has rushed for 100 or more
yards in eight of those games.The running back is 24th on BG’s career rushing list with
1,338 yards. He needs 98 yards to move into the top 20 all-time.D-LINE: Chris Jones and
Ted Ouellet remain the starters at defensive tackle for the Falcons, with walk-on Taylor
Royster backing up Jones and Zach Colvin moving from defensive end to back up
Ouellet.Freshman Mike Minns is no longer on the two-deep.Bryan Thomas and Charlie Walker
are slated to start at the defensive end spots. Bryan Baird will back up Thomas and
Ronnie Goble is behind Walker.INJURIES: BG wide receiver Heath Jackson (knee) is out for
the remainder of the season, Clawson said on Wednesday.Offensive tackle Jordan Roussos,
who rolled an ankle last Thursday in practice but still played against Akron, is ready
to go again this week.Also, Samuel and linebacker Dwayne Woods should also be ready to
play.OHIO: According to the Mid-American Conference office, Ohio (6-0) is the first team
in the nation to become bowl-eligible this season.NEXT: BG goes on the road Oct. 20 to
play at UMass with kickoff at noon in Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.