![Bowling Green Falcons running back Terion Stewart (4) is brought down by Akron Zips linebacker Julian Richardson (7) and Akron Zips safety Jaylen Kelly-Powell (8) after a short gain during the second half of an NCAA football game at InfoCision Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Akron, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Zipsfb 9](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/8610fb9ffcfc148ca7a8fcf90ffca8f07c26a2f4856524f1e2252aa6f908d6a4.jpg "Bowling Green Falcons running back Terion Stewart (4) is brought down by Akron Zips linebacker Julian Richardson (7) and Akron Zips safety Jaylen Kelly-Powell (8) after a short gain during the second half of an NCAA football game at InfoCision Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Akron, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Zipsfb 9")
It’s going to be hard enough for Tennessee football to figure out itself when they open the season Thursday against the Bowling Green Falcons to kickoff the Josh Heupel era. However, the Vols will also have to learn on the fly about this new program Scot Loeffler has put together that they will be facing, only serving to make things tougher.
Loeffler enters his third year as BGSU’s head coach, and with a 3-14 overall record after an 0-5 campaign last year, he’s on the hot seat. Like UT, his program suffered a wave of transfers. Now, he’s restructured his staff and personnel and is set to rely on transfers and newcomers.
When you combine that with the fact that Sam Neverov, his top offensive lineman and one of his best players, is not playing Thursday, it becomes hard to know who the Vols should key on. However, there is a good bit of proven talent on this roster, even if they didn’t prove it with BGSU. Let’s break down those players. These will be the five key Falcons against Tennessee football.
5’10” 190 pounds; Hometown: Baltimore, Md.
Well, this is one area in which BGSU benefitted from the turmoil facing another program. DaVon Ferguson comes to the Falcons from the Kansas Jayhawks, where he appeared in 20 games from 2018 to 2020. The recent resignation of Les Miles, however, led to the program having to make a late coaching hire, and Ferguson decided to go elsewhere.
The graduate of St. Vincent Pallotti in Maryland’s Prince George’s (PG) County has made nine starts over the past two years. As a cornerback, he can be physical while also being a playmaker. Last year, he had two tackles for a loss and shut down his side of the field.
In 2019, Ferguson’s most complete season, he had three tackles for a loss, a pass deflection, a forced fumble and 57 overall tackles, three of which were solo. He did have an interception as a freshman. With a new quarterback, Tennessee football will have to keep an eye on Ferguson at all times. He could give Joe Milton III some trouble.