At 3 p.m., Saturday, NIU will take on Bowling Green State University in the final of three straight home games. The game will be televised on Comcast SportsNet Chicago (ESPN GamePlan/ESPN360.com) and can be heard on WSCR AM 670 (Chicago), WLBK AM 1360 (DeKalb). The last time the Huskies played the Falcons was in 2004 in DeKalb, with NIU winning the contest 34-17. To help gain an understanding of the Falcons, the Northern Star breaks down the team’s offense and defense.

Defensive Line

Diyral Briggs has been a treat for Bowling Green, but full of tricks for his opponents.

The Falcon defensive end, whose birthday is on Halloween, has six sacks this season. Briggs is second in the MAC in the stat, only behind defense end Frank Zombo of Central Michigan by 1.5 sacks.

Beyond the six sacks, Briggs also has also pressured quarterbacks this season with eight hurries. But, Bowling Green isn’t just relying on its senior defensive end for pressure.

Nose tackle Michael Ream has pressured opposing quarterbacks four times this season. The redshirt junior also has broken up a pass and has an interception.

But the pressure hasn’t stopped opposing teams from running. Bowling Green ranks No. 91 in the nation in rushing defense, as teams are averaging 173.7 rushing yards per game against the Falcons.

Grade: C

Linebackers

Tackling has been the business of Bowling Green’s linebackers.

The group of three seniors, John Haneline, Erique Dozier and Jerett Sanderson, rank as the No. 1, 2 and 4 tacklers respectively for the Falcons. Combined, the trio has 155 take downs for the season.

These linebackers have also caused problems for passing offenses, breaking up 11 passes.

Yet, this hasn’t stopped opposing teams from scoring. The Falcons are letting opponents average 25.6 points per game, ranking them No. 67 in the nation.

Even more alarming for Bowling Green is what adversaries are able to do in the red zone. Or, to put it another way, what Bowling Green is unable to do in the red zone.

Opponents have scored on the Falcons every time they enter the red zone, ranking them last in red zone defense in the nation. A total of 19 touchdowns and five field goals have been given up inside the 20 yard line by Bowling Green.

Grade: C+

Secondary

Two Bowling Green cornerbacks have been giving opposing teams headaches all season.

Seniors Kenny Lewis and Antonio Smith have put together strong performers in their final year for the Falcons. Lewis is third in the MAC with seven defended passes, including two interceptions. Smith isn’t far behind. The 5-foot-10-inch cornerback has six defended passes and one pick – ranking him No. 5 in the MAC.

Safeties P.J. Mahone and Jahmal Brown have joined in the fun too, combining for another four broken up passes.

These four members of the secondary have helped Bowling Green limit opponents to 193.4 passing yards per game. That effort ranks its passing defense No. 44 in the nation.

The group has also combined for two forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries.

Grade: B

Special Teams

Two kickers, two different results – that’s been the story for Bowling Green this season.

Punter Nick Iovinelli has been solid for the Falcons. Iovinelli is averaging 41.1 yards per punt, ranking him No. 2 in the MAC. The junior has put the ball inside the 20 yard line 10 times and has six kicks of 50 yards or more.

Bowling Green is averaging 37.4 net yards per punt, ranking it No. 26 in the nation.

Place kicker Sinisa Vrvilo has been a question mark for Bowling Green this year. The senior is 5-for-11 this season in field goal attempts. Two of these have been from 50 yards or more.

But even if you remove these two kicks, Vrvilo is only completing 56 percent of his kicks. Three of his misses this season has come in between the 30 to 39-yard line.

Grade: B-