2024 Bowling Green Falcons Football Preseason Preview: Defense

After keeping and losing big pieces, can Bowling Green’s defense keep improving in 2024?

Bowling Green’s defense took some big steps forward in 2023, propelling the team into the fight for the MAC East division as the weather turned and the weeknights were tantamount.

The Falcon defense allowed 329.8 yards and 23.5 points per game. Both were good for fifth in the MAC, while finishing sixth in passing yards allowed, and fourth for rushing yards allowed.

Last season was a huge improvement, considering Bowling Green averaged 10th in the MAC for every major defensive category in 2022. So what will change for the Falcons on defense?

Let’s take a look at who’s coming back.

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The Front Seven

The front seven is where the Falcons took a small hit in terms of personnel. Let’s take a look at some of the personnel changes:

Departures

• Cashius Howell (2023 sacks leader (9.5), transferred to Texas A&M)
• Darren Anders (2023 leading tackler (85), graduated)
• Billie Roberts (moved to the offensive line)

Incumbents

• Joseph Sipp, Jr.
• Dontrez Brown
• Anthony Hawkins
• Evan Branch-Haynes
• Demetrius Hardamon

The defensive line stays well stacked with personnel. One of the few major changes being Billie Roberts moving to the offensive line. Other than that, the Falcons have lots of veterans returning with significant games under their belts

The Falcons accumulated 33 sacks in 2023 (3rd in MAC), and that production has decreased with Howell and Anders departing. The two combined for 14 of BG’s 33 sacks last season.

Howell was the first BG player to lead or co-lead the MAC in sacks since Chris Jones in 2012 (12.5). Howell transferring to Texas A&M is obviously a big loss for the Falcons, but he deserved his opportunity to go to the SEC. We’ll keep an eye out for the Week 3 matchup between these two teams at Kyle Field.

While some of the leaders departed, there are enough veteran pieces for the Falcons to remain competitive up front. Joseph Sipp, Jr. had a breakout season in 2023, finishing second on the team in tackles (73) and will look to take another step in the new-look defense.

One other player that we need to look out for is Demetrius Hardamon.

As we mentioned in the first preview piece, Hardamon returns after the scary injury he suffered in the Michigan game last season. Hardamon has accumulated 60 career tackles, with 15.5 tackles for loss while also picking up eight sacks. His explosive ability is something the Falcons need to be strong up front.

Here’s an example of just how important Hardamon is to the defense. He came up with a strip sack of Aveon Smith in a crucial 2022 game to help get the Falcons to bowl eligibility.

Hardamon is expected to be a major contributor from the word go, getting named to the third-team all-MAC preseason roster by Athlon Sports.

Don’t sleep on Dontrez Brown, either. The Fremont, Ohio native has accumulated 88 career tackles, and has lots of strength up front. He can also block a field goal every now and then.

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Defensive Backs

Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Falcons lost some pieces in the defensive backfield, but return some big pieces as well. Here’s a brief look at some of the personnel changes:

Departed

• Davon Ferguson (graduated)
• Jalen Huskey (2023 interceptions co-leader (4), transferred to Maryland)
• Deshawn Jones, Jr. (transferred to Stony Brook)

Incumbents

• Jordan Oladokun
• Darius Lorfils
• Trent Simms
• Patrick Day

Incoming

• Darius McClendon (transferred from Florida Atlantic)

Darius McClendon comes in from Florida Atlantic. Playing in all 12 games for the Owls, he recorded 61 tackles (including five tackles-for-loss), and two forced fumbles with one fumble recovered. He’ll be one of those transfers that makes a good impact.

The biggest piece returning for the Falcons will be Jordan Oladokun.

Named to the Jim Thorpe Award, Bednarik Award, Wuerffel Award, and Shrine Bowl 1000 watch lists in 2024, Oladokun co-lead the team with four interceptions in 2023 while also picking up 30 tackles and 10 pass break-ups. Oladokun and the now-departed Jalen Huskey finished the 2023 season tied for second in the conference in the MAC for interceptions— marking the second time in three seasons that a pair of BG teammates finished the season in the top 10 (Deshawn Jones, Jr. and Jordan Anderson in 2021).

As some of the veteran pieces leave, it’s evident that Oladokun must continue to be the leader in the backfield. Everyone knows how dangerous Oladokun is, he’ll take it to the house if you aren’t careful.

The big piece lost from the defensive backs is the aforementioned Jalen Huskey. Huskey had a breakout year with four interceptions. He got the opportunity to transfer back to his home state and play for the Terrapins after a 2023 campaign which also saw him pick up 53 tackles, a tackle-for-loss and 10 pass break-ups.

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Overall, the Falcons kept a good majority of the defense intact.

With as much explosive offense as there can be in the MAC, the defense will have to stay disciplined and make the plays needed to keep improving, and take the Falcons to another level, which would be getting to Detroit in December.