4. College Football News Preview 2020: Bowling Green Falcons Defense 3 Things To Know
– Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder has to replace just enough starters to be annoying – four of the top six tacklers are gone – but there’s enough of a pass rush to work around. The run defense, though, has to be far stronger and the secondary has to generate more big plays after being among the nation’s least efficient pass defense.
– The line has a decent pass rusher in Karl Brooks to start with, but his team-high 4.5 sacks weren’t enough. There was just enough pressure overall to get by, but Roland Walder has to grow into a factor on the other side.
Finding an anchor to make the run D better is the bigger problem – 6-3, 275-pound junior Walter Haire and 284-pound redshirt freshman Jevon Henderson will get his chances.
The linebacking corps should be the strength of the defense with leading tackler Kholbe Coleman back after coming up with 103 tackles on the weakside, and with junior Jerry Roberts an active tackler on the other side. The middle should be set with 231-pound sophomore Darren Anders expected to take over – he’ll be one of the team’s leading tacklers.
– The really, really young secondary gets three starters back after coming up with just four of the team’s seven picks and got hit for 24 touchdown passes. Sophomore Jordan Anderson is back at one safety job after making 51 stops, and the corner tandem of sophomore JaJuan Hudson junior Caleb Biggers return after combining for 81 stops.