Doege looks comfortable leading Bowling Green football

4/14/2018
BY JOHN WAGNER
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
  • SPT-BGfootball15p-3

    Bowling Green State University center Caleb Bright lines up during the BGSU Spring Game.

    BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH

  • BOWLING GREEN — Jarret Doege does not remember much about his first spring game at Bowling Green State University.

    “I remember being nervous,” he admitted. “For this spring game, I came in like it was another spring practice.”

    Bowling Green State University quarterback Jarret Doege throws a pass during the BGSU spring game Saturday, April 14, 2018, at the Perry Fieldhouse in Bowling Green.
    Bowling Green State University quarterback Jarret Doege throws a pass during the BGSU spring game Saturday, April 14, 2018, at the Perry Fieldhouse in Bowling Green.

    He also looked comfortable commanding the Falcons offense in this year’s spring game, which was played Saturday at BG’s Perry Fieldhouse. He completed six of the seven passes he threw for 106 yards and two touchdowns on his two drives of work.

    “He has really taken ownership of this team,” Bowling Green coach Mike Jinks said of Doege. “He’s earned the trust of his coaches and his teammates.

    “I look forward to him building on the season he had last year.”

    Doege’s numbers from last year’s spring contest also were good: he was 5 of 7 passing for 130 yards and engineered a 70-yard scoring drive.

    But the sophomore, who took over as the starter midway through last season, feels he is a different quarterback.

    “Now, I’m 10 times more comfortable,” Doege said. “I feel I can get in and out of plays and operate a lot quicker, and I have a ton of confidence in my offensive line and my wide receivers.

    “I feel I’m learning this offense like the back of my hand, so I can get us in and out of plays. I’m more comfortable.”

    VIDEO: Bowling Green spring game

    Doege’s first drive included a 27-yard connection to Justin Sawmiller over the middle, and was capped by a 13-yard scoring strike on a slant to Scotty Miller. On the second drive, Doege shoveled a pass to running back Andrew Clair for 20 yards, then found a wide-open Bryson Denley on a wheel route for a 35-yard touchdown pass.

    “They ‘dropped’ him, and he was wide open,” Doege said of the busted coverage on Denley. “I feel those are the hardest passes to throw because the guy is wide open, but it worked out.”

    The offense also scored a third touchdown in the contest, which featured four 10-minute quarters that included a running clock. Grant Loy completed a 22-yard pass Calvin Clater to convert a third-down early on that drive, and the sophomore signal caller used a 1-yard quarterback sneak for the score.

    There were a few quality moments for the defense, including four three-and-out drives. On the next-to-last drive, senior rover Ben Hale forced a fumble that freshman nose tackle Caylon May recovered.

    Bowling Green State University center Caleb Bright lines up during the BGSU Spring Game.
    Bowling Green State University center Caleb Bright lines up during the BGSU Spring Game.

    “We’ve added some speed on defense, especially on the second level,” Jinks said. “You could see some of that show up today. …

    “Now we need to get caught up with our schemes. We’ve thrown a ton at them the past few weeks, and their heads are spinning. But they are flying around and playing fast.”

    When he was asked if he was happy where the Falcons defense was at this point in the spring, Jinks replied, “We’re taking care of the things we can control. You can control your preparation and your effort. And we’re doing a good job with those two things.”

    The spring game does not signal the end of the practice schedule for Bowling Green, which will hold on-field practices Tuesday and Thursday.

    “Next week is where we get some work in to get us ready for summer camp,” Jinks said. “We’ve got five days, and we have two practices, and we’ve got to utilize that time.

    “We’ll try to get 150 to 200 snaps on video to be graded.”

    NOTES: Defensive lineman Jamari Rouse announced on Twitter he is leaving the program. Rouse redshirted last season. … Receiver Matt Wilcox, whose suspension was announced Tuesday morning, also was not on the roster for the scrimmage. … Senior Jack Walz has switched positions from linebacker to receiver.

    Contact John Wagner at: jwagner@theblade.com419-724-6481, or on Twitter @jwagnerblade.