The microscope is on the
two tackle spots and the running back position as the Bowling Green State University football team
prepares to start the season.Another major question mark is at quarterback.BG head coach Dave Clawson
has said there is a competition for the starting quarterback position between fifth-year senior Matt
Schilz and redshirt-sophomore Matt Johnson.On Saturday, Clawson said he hopes to have the quarterback
position set two weeks before the start of the season. The Falcons host Tulsa in the season-opener at
Perry Stadium on Aug. 29. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.‘‘We’re going to let them play it out,’’ Clawson said.
‘‘If it cleans up before then, we’ll make this decision before then.‘‘We’re looking for a guy who is
going to move the football team and that’s going to execute the position the way we needed it
executed,’’ Clawson continued, adding he and the coaches are looking for someone who makes plays and can
take care of the football.Schilz is the incumbent, having started 35 games over the last three years.
Johnson appeared in eight games last season.Both players are ready for the challenge.‘‘We both want the
same thing and that’s to win,’’ Schilz said. ‘‘Whoever it is, we are just trying to get better and to
help out. It’s positive and it’s fun, real fun.’’Johnson said the two have been getting equal
repetitions with both the first- and second-team offenses.The 2011 season was Schilz’s best with the
Falcons, as he threw for 3,024 yards (sixth-best in school history) and 28 touchdowns (second-best in
school history).Last season, Schilz’s numbers dropped to 2,585 yards and 14 touchdowns, but the Falcons
did improve to eight wins in 2012 from five victories in 2011.‘‘I just have to work better pocket
presence. That’s a huge thing, if we’re talking technically,’’ Schilz said about an area he needed to
improve on from 2012. ‘‘Another thing is my leadership, not getting too frustrated with myself, and just
being positive and enjoying this. The guys respect you more and work harder when they respect you.‘‘Last
year really helped me out because you have to have some failures to have success.’’Seeing limited duty
late in games, Johnson threw only 28 passes last season.‘‘If you are trying to win the job, you have to
show the offensive players that they can believe in you,’’ Johnson said. ‘‘You have to have to
confidence to be able to lead the team. That’s a huge part of it. In the huddle, you can’t show your
nerves, you can’t stumble on any words.’’Schilz and Johnson have respect for each other.‘‘We’re both
unselfish,’’ Schilz said. ‘‘Everything works together; we make each other better and it makes your team
better.‘‘We’re really good friends and we’re both trying to get better and pushing each other.’’Johnson
agreed that the two work together to get better.‘‘We help each other out every day on the field and off
the field,’’ Johnson said. ‘‘If we’re seeing something the guy up (taking snaps) didn’t see we share it.
We are always encouraging each other.’’To retain the starting job, Schilz said he’ll do whatever it
takes to win.‘‘I’m a competitor and I hate losing,’’ Schilz said. ‘‘I want to be on the field, I want to
play.‘‘I have a competitive nature, just in everything, even in jogging off the field … The great
thing about me is just my competitive nature.’’Johnson said in order for him to win the starting spot,
he has to stay within himself, not turn the ball over, and earn the coach’s trust.‘‘I bring good
leadership to the table. I can make plays with my feet and I don’t turn the ball over too much,’’
Johnson said. ‘‘This is my third year and I have a good relationship with Coach ‘R’ (Warren Ruggiero,
BG’s offensive coordinator). I know why he’s calling plays and when he’s calling plays. I have a good
understanding of the playbook.‘‘Whether I’m the starter or the backup, I’ll be ready.’’SCRIMMAGES: The
Falcons have scrimmages set for Sunday from 5-8 p.m. and Aug. 18 from 1-3:30 p.m.105: Under NCAA rules,
105 players can take part in fall camp, including 85 scholarship players.The Falcons started drills at
the limit with both numbers, but freshman walk-on Spencer Schnell and redshirt freshman James White have
left camp. Both were wide receivers.