Liberty opens up the 2023 football season on Saturday, Sept. 2 against Bowling Green. Kickoff is scheduled for Noon from Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia as head coach Jamey Chadwell makes his debut with the Flames.
To help us get prepared for Saturday’s game against the Falcons, we are pleased to have Tyler Seggerman provide some insight on this year’s Bowling Green team. Seggerman covers BGSU for WTOL 11 in Toledo where he is a sports anchor and reporter.
ASOR: What is the overall feeling surrounding the season within the program thus far and its fans on Bowling Green entering the year?
Tyler Seggerman: There’s a lot of excitement within the BGSU facility, mainly because of what the program accomplished last season. The Falcons experienced unprecedented success under head coach Scot Loeffler & believe they can now replicate that since they now know what it takes. Picked to finish 4th in the MAC East, consistency remains a concern with Bowling Green who would secure a great win one week & then not show up the next. On top of that, they also will have a new QB in 2023.
ASOR: What has been your feeling/evaluation of Connor Bazelak going into the season and what is the expectation for his production in this game/season?
TS: No doubt in my mind Connor Bazelak will be the starter Week One. He’s got a strong arm and brings high level experience to an offense who brings back all of their running backs and top receiver (Odieu Hilaire). Like the team, consistency is the big question for him. With a new team this fall, he’s been inaccurate at times in practice while also trying to adapt to a new scheme. I expect him to grow this season but with a young line, have to rely on his skill positions for success.
ASOR: Who do you consider to be the biggest X factor on the Falcons offense besides the quarterback? How about for the defense?
TS: Odieu Hilaire is going to be vital to scoring points for the Falcons. He’s the most reliable wide receiver returning for BGSU & has the speed to change a game in one play (2022 Battle of I-75 prime example). With a committee approach at running back & a new quarterback, he’ll have to be the leader if Bowling Green is to return to a Bowl Game. Hilaire is also all about the team, a very unselfish player. On the defensive side, Darren Anders is their captain and an anchor for a defense who doesn’t possess a huge star on it. The linebacker has been with the team for awhile & his experience will be relied upon to communicate and limit big plays.
ASOR: What do you expect the record for this team to look like and what would make for a successful season?
TS: I predict the team will be 7-6 but I don’t say that confidently. The MAC has a lot of solid teams & the parody creates a lot of ‘toss up’ scenarios. BGSU’s non-conference schedule doesn’t bode well with 3 expected losses early on. However if the Falcons can rise up in MAC play, they have a great shot to return to the postseason which is the ultimate expectation at Bowling Green. These fans don’t want to see a step back in 2023, a Bowl Game victory is the expectation this season.
ASOR: What player do you expect to have a breakout year?
TS: Ta’Ron Keith jumped into a role he wasn’t expected to last year & took advantage. An all-conference Specialist as a returner, he played just as well as a running back (including a game winning catch against Marshall). I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes over starting RB duties.
ASOR: Where do you think the Flames will struggle the most against this team?
TS: Handling a multitude of running backs on defense might cause some problems, at least early on for Liberty. As previously mentioned, every running back for BGSU comes back with experience including Terion Stewart who missed all of last year. I expect Loeffler & staff to use them in a variety of ways which can.
ASOR: What is your final score prediction for this game?
TS: Liberty 28, Bowling Green 23
