Three things to watch in Bowling Green's spring game

4/13/2018
BY JOHN WAGNER
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
  • SPT-BGfootball8p-21

    Head coach Mike Jinks huddles with his team during the Bowling Green State University scrimmage last Saturday. The Falcons will play their Spring Game Saturday at Perry Fieldhouse.

    BLADE/LORI KING

  • BOWLING GREEN — Neither rain, sleet, snow, nor any combination of bad weather elements will keep the Bowling Green State University football team from hosting its spring game Saturday.

    The Falcons did make one concession: moving the game from Doyt Perry Stadium inside to Perry Fieldhouse but keeping its 2:30 p.m. start time. Admission to the game is free.

    Head coach Mike Jinks huddles with his team during the Bowling Green State University scrimmage last Saturday. The Falcons will play their Spring Game Saturday at Perry Fieldhouse.
    Head coach Mike Jinks huddles with his team during the Bowling Green State University scrimmage last Saturday. The Falcons will play their Spring Game Saturday at Perry Fieldhouse.

    The move indoors will affect the special teams portion of the contest because the low fieldhouse roof does not allow punts and kickoffs. But the game will feature the first and second-team offenses facing off against the top defensive units.

    “We will probably use a point system, because we will scrimmage the offense against the defense,” coach Mike Jinks said. “We just don’t have enough receivers to split up into two teams.”

    Here are three things to look for during the game:

    1. Can the offensive line control the line of scrimmage? Jinks said projected starters Lorenzo Taborn and Austin Labus will not play in the scrimmage, meaning two of BG’s most experienced linemen will watch from the sideline.

    The good news is Falcons fans and coaches will get to see how younger lineman will fare over extended snaps.

    2. How much depth do the Falcons have at receiver? While receivers such as Deric Phouthavong and Datrin Guyton finally saw action in practice this week, they are not expected to play. The same holds true for Quintin Morris, will miss the contest because of a shoulder injury he suffered April 7.

    “It was huge to get some reps in [during practice this week],” Jinks said of Phouthavong and Guyton seeing action this past week. “It gave them a chance to work with [quarterback] Jarret Doege.”

    That means the scrimmage will give younger, less experienced receivers a chance to shine.

    3. Who will be the defensive standouts for the Falcons? A number of different defensive players will see action for Bowling Green, so there will be plenty of opportunities to catch the eye of a new defensive staff.

    But the bigger questions the Falcons defense face might be more difficult to spot. Are the players lined up in the proper spots? Are they executing their assignments properly? And are they making plays when the opportunities arise.

    Contact John Wagner at: jwagner@theblade.com419-724-6481, or on Twitter @jwagnerblade.