BG News Sports Blog - 2009 Football

Football team hands out postseason awards for 2009 season

2010-04-16T17:07:49Z

The Falcon football team handed out its postseason awards at its banquet last night. Below are all the award winners.

Glenn Sharp Award (Alum) - John Hunter
Presidents Award (Athletic and Academics)- Jimmy Scheidler
Top Student-Athlete Award - Craig Rutherford
Coaches' Award (Outstanding Attitude) - Brady Minturn
Carlos Jackson Memorial Award (Leadership, Inspiration, Extra Effort) - Tyler Sheehan
Ken Schoeni Award (Mental Toughness, Commitment and Perseverance) - Scott Albert and Brandon Jackson
Orange Helmet Award (Spitit, Intensity and Passion) - Cody Basler
Scout Team Player of the Year Award - Erique Geiger and Paul Swan
Future Award - Chris Jones
Top Defensive Lineman Award - Kevin Alvarado
Top Linebacker Award - Jerett Sanderson
Top Defensive Back Award - Jahmal Brown
Top Offensive Lineman Award - Shane Steffy
Top Wide Receiver Award - Freddie Barnes
Top Offensive Back Award - Willie Geter
Top Special Teams Player Award - Roger Williams
Aaron Richardson Award (top walk-on) - Justus Jones
Most Valuable Player Award - Tyler Sheehan and Freddie Barnes

Barnes to return to BG on Wednesday

2010-02-22T17:19:51Z

Recently graduated wide receiver Freddie Barnes will return to BGSU on Wednesday to be honored at halftime of the men's basketball game against Kent State.

Former quarterback Tyler Sheehan will also be on hand.

Not only will the University be honoring two of the best football players to play at BGSU, Barnes will also receive the College Football Performance Award's 2009 Elite Wide Receiver Award.

Barnes had an NCAA-record 155 receptions for 1,770 yards and 19 touchdowns during the 2009 season and set numerous school and Humanitarian Bowl records.

Sheehan also set many school records in 2009 after posting 4,051 yards and 27 touchdowns on 373-of-575 passing. He threw just seven interceptions in 13 games.

Morrison takes job with Memphis

2010-02-16T23:10:07Z

BG co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Shannon Morrison has taken a job with Memphis, according to SID Dave Meyer. Morrison just completed his second season with the Falcons.

Morrison will join new Memphis coach Larry Porter as a cornerbacks coach.

Morrison will fill the position of Brian Mitchell who left Memphis to take a job at Eastern Carolina.

Falcon football announces recruiting class of 25

2010-02-03T18:31:18Z

BG football coach Dave Clawson received Letters of Intent from 25 players today, who he introduce at a 4 p.m. press conference.
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QB - 2
RB - 1
WR - 3
TE - 3
OL - 4

DL - 3
LB - 3
CB - 1
S - 5

Ohio - 12
Michigan - 7
Pennsylvania - 3
Illinois - 1
West Virginia - 1
Florida - 1

The athletic department released information on all 25 players, which can be accessed by clicking the .pdf file below.

2010 Signing Day.pdf

More information about the signees will be available later today and in tomorrow's edition of The BG News.

Barnes will not attend Senior Bowl

2010-01-27T15:20:45Z

According to BGSU Sports Information Director Dave Meyer, Fredde Barnes will not be going to this weekend's Senior Bowl. It was reported yesterday that Barnes may be getting an invite to the game and Barnes himself confirmed the call via his Twitter.

"The senior bowl just called.. Don't know what to do... Go and miss out on my speed development. Or take that risk and raise my stock," Barnes tweeted Tuesday morning.

However, it was confirmed earlier this morning that Barnes will not be joining either team at this weekend's Senior Bowl.

Senior Bowl Coverage from Mobile, Ala.

2010-01-26T18:07:17Z

Freddie Barnes

I'm in Mobile, Alabama this week with www.sidelinescouting.net covering the Senior Bowl. I was initially interested in giving updates about the MAC guys in attendance (Dan LeFevour and Taylor Price) but am excited to break the news that Freddie Barnes may be added to the roster.

At the North team's practice today, one of my fellow colleagues and BG student overheard a phone call in which the recipient was urged to get Barnes to the Senior Bowl. It was later confirmed in a phone call with Barnes himself that he was invited this afternoon and may attend.

Barnes has been a hot topic so far this week. Several scouts have commented on the fact that Barnes was not invited. Receiver Taylor Price from Ohio University is one of two MAC players here and has been solid, but has not stood out in any way. The addition of Barnes to the roster would be a huge boost for the North squad, Bowling Green athletics and Freddie's draft stock.

Dan LeFevour was the other MAC invite at the Senior Bowl. He measured in at 6'3" 229 lbs at weigh-ins and has shown good arm strength and accuracy this year. He is playing behind Tony Pike at quarterback for the North this week, but has looked fairly solid.

I will be giving updates as the week progresses. Hopefully I'll be seeing Freddie Barnes represent BGSU here in Mobile. Roll along!

Barnes helps propel East to victory in Shrine Game

2010-01-23T22:55:08Z

Freddie Barnes had just one catch in the first three quarters of the East/West Shrine Game this afternoon, but his three catches in the final two minutes of the game helped seal the game for the East.

Catching three straight passes from Mike Kafka, Barnes gained 29 yards during a 55-yard drive for the East that ended with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Quarless, giving the East a 13-10 lead with six seconds left in the game.

Barnes was the second option on that play, according to the East's offensive coordinator, who was interviewed by ESPN before the play.

In total, Barnes had four grabs for 40 yards.

During the ESPN2 broadcast, it was mentioned that Barnes was not invited to the NFL Combine, but the analysts said they thought Barnes would get drafted in the late rounds because of his ability to catch the ball.

Barnes almost thrilled scouts by catching a touchdown but strong defense from the West forced an incompletion.

For more about Barnes' day, please read Monday's edition of The BG News.

Clawson has not been in contact with ECU

2010-01-19T22:17:06Z

According to BGSU Sports Information Director Dave Meyer, neither BG coach Dave Clawson or Athletic Director Greg Christopher have been contacted about the coaching vacancy at Eastern Carolina University.

Clawson has also not reached to ECU about the job.

Earlier today it was reported that Middle Tennessee coach Rick Stockstill had turned down an offer to fill Eastern Carolina's coaching vacancy according to a report by the Daily Reflector. Several sites including FootballCoachScoop.com had reports that Clawson had interviewed and was a candidate for the opening.

Clawson still possibly going to Eastern Carolina

2010-01-19T20:33:35Z

Middle Tennessee coach Rick Stockstill has turned down an offer to fill Eastern Carolina's coaching vacancy according to a report by the Daily Reflector. According to FootballCoachScoop.com BG coach Dave Clawson interviewed with ECU athletic director Terry Holland and is still a possible candidate for the job.

It appears the short list for the job comes down to Clawson and Liberty head coach Danny Rocco according to the Reflector's report. The ECU coaching vacancy opened up when former coach Skip Holtz left for South Florida after five seasons.

Clawson in his first season with the Falcons compiled a 7-6 record and earned a berth to the 2009 Humanitarian Bowl (a 43-42 loss to Idaho).

Dave Clawson speaks with the media

2010-01-14T21:40:45Z

Football coach Dave Clawson spoke with the media this afternoon. He spoke about relationships with players, recruiting, Freddie Barnes and even a little bit on his former player Tim Hightower. Click the link below to listen to the entire press conference.

01_14_10_Dave_Clawson.wav

No matter the outcome, what a game that was

2010-01-05T17:26:43Z

*Editor's note: This story was written on the flight back from Boise, I decided to hold it until to today so it would run with the Humanitarian Bowl posting about the Top 10 of the decade.

By Sean Shapiro

Sports Editor

BOISE-- I wasn't allowed to cheer.

But, if I was I would still be on my feet giving both teams a standing ovation.

As a member of the media during the Humanitarian Bowl I was restricted from showing emotion or support to a team while in the press box.

So, when Freddie Barnes hauled in 51-yard touchdown catch to give BG a 42-35 lead with 32 seconds remaining, I had to subdue the student within in me and simply mark it down on my notebook as big play.

Then 28 seconds later when Max Komar hauled in an improbable sliding touchdown catch, all I could do was sit in stunned silence along with the rest of the media contingency.

As many Falcon fans will sadly remember, Idaho then stunned everybody by going for two and getting the conversion to win 43-42.

]]> I guess I feel kind of gypped, that I couldn't honor both teams with the applause they deserved.

I mean no matter who won, that was one hell of a game.

Thinking back to all the other great live sporting events I've witnessed in person very few compare to what just happened on the blue turf.

For some quick background information, some of the other events that make my list include former Falcon Jacob Cepis' overtime winner against Lake Superior in the playoffs two years ago and more recently my 16-year-old sister's jayvee basketball team coming back only to lose on a prayer of a buzzer beater launched from just over half-court earlier this month.

As I try to tell my sports staff all the time, there is a story at every sporting event.

But every once in while you get that game were there is more then one or two stories, that one game were every twist and turn gets you out of your seat and you could still be writing stories about it into the next week like I am.

Well this was one of those game, this game had it all.

There was the superstar hauling in 17 catches for 219 yards and three touchdowns.

We had the Idaho senior who was having one of the worst games of his career, go make the biggest catch in not only his career, but in the history of Idaho football at the Division No. 1 level.

We also got to see an Idaho team that hasn't even had a winning season since 1999 not only win a bowl game, but do it in front so many of their fans at their rivals stadium.

And then at the end of it all was the tears, seniors Tyler Sheehan and Freddie Barnes had just seemingly ended their careers in story book fashion.

They were perfect for one final play together, Sheehan found some time as he's done all season and then unloaded a perfect bomb to Barnes who waltzed into the endzone.

This is how the game was supposed to end, but it wasn't.

The Vandals stole the Humanitarian Bowl trophy right from under the Falcon's noses, with a gutsy play.

Yes, I am BG student and Falcon fan at heart, but after absorbing the initial shock of the loss how could you not be happy with the game you just witnessed? So many times Bowl Games turn into blowouts and boring games, but BG and Idaho gave us something oh so much better.

We hung on every play, we gasped and simply wondered how or why as Idaho celebrated after the win.

And that is what made this game so great, so while I couldn't applaud the teams from my seat in the press box, I'm cheering at the top of my lungs right now for the display that I witnessed on the blue turf.

Top ten of the past decade... No. 6

2010-01-05T16:43:29Z

We've come to event No. 6 in our Top 10 Falcon events of the past decade and this one is probably the freshest in the minds of Falcons fans. Unfortunately this game would have been higher on our list had the outcome been slightly different at the end.

6. Falcons fall in Humanitarian Bowl; Barnes completes record breaking season -- December 30, 2009

Idaho 43, Bowling Green 42

Box Score

Game Recap

I had the privilege of witnessing this game in person from the press box at Boise State, and even though BG lost 43-42 it was the greatest football game I have ever witnessed in person.

It was a game that was expected to be a high scoring close game, as odd's makers had BG favored by 1-point and were expecting over 68 points in the game.

Tied 14-14 at half time, Idaho jumped out to a 28-14 lead thanks to a pair of touchdown runs in the third quarter. However, BG stormed right back tying the game on touchdown passes to Freddie Barnes and Jimmy Scheidler.

With 8:32 remaining Idaho regained the lead on a 30-yard touchdown pass to Preston Davis, only to see a Willie Geter 2-yard touchdown run tie the contest at 35.

]]> Still tied at 35 with under a minute remaining it seemed BG had won the ball game as Barnes hauled in a 51-yard touchdown pass with just 31 seconds remaining.

But then Idaho pulled off one of the most improbable drives in the history of Vandal football. From his own 34-yard line Vandal quarterback Nathan Enderle heaved a 50-yard bomb to Davis who came down with the pass despite being interfered with by BG's Jahmal Brown.

Then with 4 seconds remaining Idaho senior Max Komar made his first catch of the night, and the biggest of his career, hauling in a 16-yard sliding catch to make the score 42-41.

Idaho, who hadn't had a winning season in over a decade, decided to go for the win in regulation and go for the two-point conversion. It worked, and Idaho held on to win 43-42 in one of the most exciting games of this past bowl season.

While it was a tough loss to swallow for Falcon fans, the Humanitarian Bowl also proved to be a showcase for Barnes. Barnes caught 17 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns in the loss, completing one of the best statistical season in NCAA history.

His touchdown catch with 31-seconds remaining, proved to be his 155th of the season an NCAA record surpassing the mark previously held by Manny Hazard. Barnes also had 19 touchdowns and 1,770 receiving yards this season.

So while this Top 10 moment is for the Humanitarian Bowl, it is also to honor the overall season of the most decorated receiver in BG history.

Check back in tomorrow as we get into the Top 5 moments in BG sports over the past decade.

Barnes to play in East-West Shrine Game

2010-01-05T16:28:14Z

After his record breaking season BG wide receiver Freddie Barnes will represent the East in the 85th annual East-West Shrine Game in Orlando on Jan 23.

Barnes lead the nation with 155 receptions and 19 touchdowns, while also amassing 1,770 receiving yards.

While he was impressive all season, Barnes was at his best over the last eight games of the season scoring 17 touchdowns and including three against Kent State, Ball State and Idaho in the Humanitarian Bowl.

Barnes was one of two Mid-American Conference players to receive bids to the game, as he will be joined by Buffalo's Naaman Roosevelt.

For more on the game and the full East Team Roster go here.

Humanitarian Bowl has shades of Boise State-Oklahoma

2009-12-31T22:57:18Z

Idaho players celebrate with fans after their stunning win in the Humanitarian Bowl against BG.
The game was reminiscent of the 2007 Fiesta Bowl between Boise State and Oklahoma. (Enoch Wu)

BOISE -- Interestingly enough, the 2007 Fiesta Bowl between Boise State and Oklahoma was featured on ESPN Classic's Best of the Decade series Tuesday at the Falcons' hotel.

It served as a nice precursor to Wednesday afternoon's Humanitarian Bowl.

While the stakes weren't nearly as high, the teams not as well-known and the audience not nearly as large, the end of this season's Humanitarian Bowl between BG and Idaho was just as exciting as the finish the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.

For those who need a refresher course, Boise State was a significant underdog against Oklahoma, but managed to hold the lead or be in striking distance of the lead the entire game.

The Sooners tied the game at 28 with 1:26 left in the game and took a seven-point lead 24 seconds later

However, Boise State used a dramatic hook and ladder play to tie the score with seven seconds left in a fourth quarter that saw 25 combined points, but that was just the start of the excitement.

In overtime, Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson - yes the one on the Minnesota Vikings who makes NFL defenders look silly today - scored on the first play. Boise State then dug themselves out of one third down and one fourth down hole to score a touchdown of their own.

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And yes, I really do believe a Bowling Green football game was equally as exciting as a game that even I consider to be the greatest college football game of all-time.

Like the Fiesta Bowl, BG and Idaho scored a slew of second half points (52). Boise and OU combined for 39 points in the second half and 54 when counting overtime points.

The 2009 Humanitarian Bowl never made it to overtime though, but the excitement in the last 32 seconds of the game was just as great as the overtime period was for the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.

BG had just scored two touchdowns - a la Oklahoma - to pull ahead of the Vandals 42-35 with 35 seconds left in the game. However, two plays after the go-ahead score, the Vandals scored a touchdown with four seconds left - a la Boise's hook and ladder touchdown.

Idaho's Max Komar (22) scores a touchdown with four seconds left in the game. That touchdown
led to the Vandals' two-point conversion that secured a 43-42 win. (Enoch Wu)
Because Idaho had not been to a bowl since 1998 and had not had a winning season since 1999, Idaho coach Robb Akey had nothing to lose and everything to gain just like Chris Peterson, which is why he sent his offense back onto the field.

"We talked about it a little bit," Akey said. "My staff had confidence in the play, my players had confidence in the play and they wanted to do it. If they have confidence, they're going to make it work. Why make everybody wait for overtime? Let's get it done now."

Idaho's two-point conversion didn't have the same dramatics as Boise State's did in 2007, but the Falcons allowed quarterback Nathan Enderle enough time to find Preston Davis in the back of the end zone for the winning score - which also just happened to be 43-42.

Not bad for a game that was ranked among the bottom five of all bowls by many expert sources, such as Sports Illustrated.

But, the game won't be remembered like the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. It may be shown on ESPN Classic someday, but it's not going to be one of their Instant Classics even though it deserves to be.

Freddie Barnes: Where it all began

2009-12-31T22:11:43Z

I randomly stumbled across this today. It's Freddie Barnes' Rivals page from 2005, which featured this video from his high school days.