Two teams trying to change their culture

Today, Morgan State and Bowling Green kick off their seasons in Doyt Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio At 7PM. These teams have some tings in common this offseason, both brought in new coaches coming off losing seasons. Both teams are also projected to finish at the bottom of their conference this season. Morgan brings in former Giants and Raiders RB and most recently Jaguars RB coach Tyrone Wheatley. This is Wheatley’s first head coaching job as he has spent time as RB coach for Michigan, Syracuse, Eastern Michigan and Ohio Northern. Wheatley has emphasized changing the culture around the program. Like Wheatley former Boston College OC/QB coach Scot Loeffler is preaching to his team about culture. The BG Falcons are coming off their third straight losing season and they want to turn things around.

These teams matchup well and it should be a great one to watch. Both teams will have new starting QBs this season. Earlier in the week Wheatley announced he will start Redshirt Sophomore Dion “D.J.” Golatt. Golatt started the last two games for Morgan last year and he showcased his ability to get it done in the air and on the ground. In those last two games Morgan’s offense looked its most efficient it looked all year. His performance against Norfolk State (17/23 168 yds 3 TDs and 20 rushes for 156 yd 1 TD) earned him MEAC Freshman of the week.

Bowling Green on the other hand have yet to name their starting QB… and they won’t at all. Coach Loefller said they will not name their starting QB before the game and Grant Loy, Darius Wade, and Matt Mcdonald would compete throughout the week. It is thought that McDonald is the favorite for the job but will not be able to play if he doesn’t get a waiver from the NCAA. McDonald is a former disciple of Loefller at Boston College. Grant Loy is the lone QB from BG’s 2018 roster. Loy saw minimal time last season but showed his ability as a runner and a passer. Darius Wade is dual-threat graduate transfer from Delaware, but played for Loefller from 2015-2017 where he started in 2017.

Even though Golatt is a new starter Morgan returns many starters including nine preseason All-MEAC members, four being on offense and five on defense. Sophomore TE Xavier Gravette (First Team) was a big part of Morgans offense last season and is expected to the next step this season. Junior OL Stefan Touani (Second Team) and Redshirt Junior Bruce Trigg (Third Team) were stalwarts on the O-Line and helped the Bears have a very effective running game in 2018. Senior RB Joshua Chase (Third Team) had 514 yards on 127 attempts (4 YPC) last season and should see more carries this season. On Defense last season, the Bears excelled at getting to the quarterback and picking the ball off. They had 34 total sacks and 16 INTs. Senior LB Rico Kennedy (First Team) , Senior LB Ian Mcborrough (Second Team) , and Redshirt Sophomore Edge Devan Hebron (Third Team) combined for 14 of those 34 sacks. Junior DB Donte Small (Second Team) and Redshirt Senior DB Dominick Trigg combined for 7 of their 16 INTs.

This season Bowling Green is on the smaller side roster wise, they have 10 unfulfilled scholarships on their roster. They will start 8 first time starters on both sides of the ball. Last season on offense they threw the ball 33 times on average and the season high being 50. This season Loefller plans on going more up tempo and utilize the running game in chunks and using his TEs down the seams. With all the QBs that may start having the ability to get yards outside the pocket they will use the QBs legs too. They return First Team All-MAC RB Andrew Clair Who has had 1427 yds 5.9 YPC 9 TDs in his first two seasons, the most attempts he has had is 135 last season. They also bring back Redshirt Senior C Jack Kramer who has been a common presence in the middle of BG’s O-line.