Defensive Line

Bowling Green State comes into Tuesday’s game against NIU after losing to Kent State, in which its defensive line allowed 140 yards on the ground.

Against NIU, Kent State mustered a measly seven rushing yards. This could propel the Huskies’ running game into the latter part of their season.

“They had the 10-day break going into our game,” said NIU head coach Dave Doeren. “They’re coming off a tough loss coming into our game.”

Junior defensive tackle Chris Jones leads the charge for the Falcons with seven sacks on the season and 34 tackles. “[Bowling Green] has the best defensive tackle in our league [Chirs Jones], who leads our conference in sacks,” Doeren said. Grade: B

Linebackers

The Falcons linebacking core is one of the most solid groups in the Mid American Conference.

D.J. Lynch has been making a name for himself, with 22 tackles and two sacks.

This season, Bowling Green linebackers have gotten to the quarterback six times. Dwayne Woods leads the linebackers with 75 total tackles and two sacks on the season.

“They’re a good defense,” Doeren said. “They’ve only had two teams score 30 points on them all season long.” Grade: B-

Secondary

Aaron Foster has been a force to be reckoned with this season, recording 50 tackles but no interceptions.

In his first season as a Falcon, freshman Ryland Ward has netted 47 tackles with one interception. Ball-hawking Cameron Truss will look to intercept a few of NIU quarterback Chandler Harnish’s passes Tuesday on a national stage.

Truss is no stranger to the interception, with three in his career as a Falcon.

With the defensive secondary playing well, the leader of the group is senior Adrien Spencer. Spencer has accumulated 83 tackles with two interceptions. Grade: B-

Special Teams

The Falcons look to junior Stephen Stein to put the ball through the uprights.

Stein has connected on eight out of 11 in field goal attempts this season.

BooBoo Gates is the Bowling Green kick returner, and has scored a touchdown off an 88 yard return against Toledo earlier this season.

Eight of Gates’ 18 returns have gone for 25 yards or more, leaving him as yet another return threat for the Huskies to worry about. Grade: C+