Opponent Insider: Bowling Green's Top Offensive Players

A look at the top players for the Bowling Green offense.

Bowling Green is struggling on offense early in 2019, but there are some quality players on the other side of the ball. An issue right now is you have a group of players that are going through a dramatic scheme shift, and the odds are good that at some point this season things start to click, at least for some players.

After watching film, here are the top players that I see on the Bowling Green offense.

#80 Quintin Morris, Wide Receiver

2019 Stats: 16 receptions, 218 yards, 13.6 YPC, 2 TD’s
2018 Stats: 42 receptions, 516 yards, 12.3 YPC, 7 TD’s

Morris was a wide receiver last season but is being used in a variety of ways this fall. Morris essentially a hybrid player that will line up in the wing and do a lot of things that a non-attached tight end would do. He works the middle of the field, will work the underneath routes and has box-type blocking responsibilities.

The 6-4, 228-pound junior will also line up outside and be allowed to use his size to make plays in one-on-one situations. He caught a quick screen early against Louisiana Tech and went 59 yards, setting up an early touchdown.

Morris, if used properly, is a difficult matchup thanks to his size/athleticism combination. The further he gets away from the box the better he is.

#55 Caleb Bright, Left Tackle

Bright started seven games in 2018, with four coming at center and three at guard. He’s the starting left tackle now, and his play has been a bright spot for the Falcon offense … no pun intended.

Bright is undersized (6-4, 282), but he’s a quality athlete and he’s competitive. He can get pushed around at times, but he plays with good pad level, shows good foot quickness and he uses his hands well. He competes in the run game, but his lack of size hurts him against power players.

Where he grades out highest in the film I saw was his ability to protect the quarterback. Bright uses his agility and fast hands to thrive on the edge, where he shows the ability to pick up speed rushes and to handle double moves.

#24 Davon Jones, Running Back

2019 Stats: 43 carries, 205 yards, 4.8 YPC, 1 TD / 7 catches, 39 yards, 1 TD
2018 Stats: 12 carries, 27 yards, 2.3 YPC, 3 TD’s

Jones played for head coach Scot Loeffler at Boston College, and with his size (5-10, 235) he’s a good fit for the downhill, pro-style run game the new Falcon head coach is trying to employ. He lacks speed, but Jones has good foot quickness and decent change of direction skills for his size. Jones has good balance and is willing to deliver punishment if he needs to.

He’s not a home run threat, but if the Irish defense isn’t disciplined he can do enough damage to be an effective chain mover.

#65 Jack Kramer, Center

Kramer lacks ideal quickness and athleticism, but he makes up for those deficiencies with quickness, toughness and a willingness to compete. He was a third-team All-MAC performer a season ago, when he played both guard and center. He’s more than willing to mix it up and get after it, but his lack of athleticism hurts him against more mobile players.

Despite his lack of agility, Kramer grades out well in pass protection. He plays with good leverage, anchors well, picks up linebackers and shows good awareness when it comes to recognizing and reacting quickly to twists, stunts and blitzes.

#6 Darius Wade, Quarterback

2019 Stats: 66-114, 57.9%, 664 yards, 3 TD’s, 3 INT’s - 87 rush yards
2017 Stats: 62-102, 60.8%, 736 yards, 3 TD’s, 3 INT’s

Wade has been up-and-down this season, but he is a threat. A transfer from Boston College (where he played with Loeffler), Wade has enough run-throw ability to give defenses problems. The lefty has a quality arm, but he’s not a natural passer. He can get the ball downfield if given enough time, but he’s a mobile player that can do damage with his legs.

Notre Dame has had issues handling mobile quarterbacks at times this season, although it kept Virginia standout Bryce Perkins in check, at least as a runner. If the Irish stay disciplined they should be able to contain him, but if they don’t he’s athletic enough to make them pay.

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