Bowling Green State University offensive lineman Cade Zimmerly (72) of Perrysburg. (BGSU Athletics)
By Yaneek Smith
Special to the Sentinel-Tribune
Under the guidance of coach Scot Loeffler, Bowling Green has steadily improved in each of the last four seasons, going 7-6 last year, the first winning season for the Falcons in eight years.
Perrysburg native Cade Zimmerly, who splits his time between center and guard, has seen his share of action in each of the previous three seasons, which includes 12 starts.
The 6-foot-1, 295-pound redshirt junior, who is recovering from a torn ACL, says the team is in full go with the season one month away.
“Everything is going great,” he said. “Last year, I was recovering from an injury, so it’s great to be out here. I feel like we’re in a great spot. The team is capable of doing great things.”
Zimmerly, who is majoring in finance with a focus on financial planning, says football has helped him in multiple ways, including helping him become a better student.
“Football teaches you to manage your time,” he said. “Over the summer, I took two classes and did an internship at Prudential in Perrysburg.”
Oddly enough, Zimmerly’s brother, Grant, is a redshirt freshman at the University of Toledo. Like his brother Grant, who is 6-4, 292 pounds, Cade is an offensive lineman.
“We have a friendly competition,” said Cade Zimmerly. “My grandma can’t play board games with us anymore because it gets so competitive.”
Bryce DeFalco, an Eastwood alum, is a redshirt freshman running back who missed last season because of a torn meniscus, and is excited to be back on the field.
“As a team, we’re coming together. A lot of new guys came in the spring, and we had to adjust,” DeFalco said. “We have a good culture, and we’re confident in our ability to make plays. Accountability is a big thing we’re preaching. Every day, we try to get a little better. It’s important to come (to practice) with a fresh attitude.
Could this be the year the Falcons win their first Mid-American Conference title in nine years?
“Coach Loeffler is a big reason that I wanted to be here. I enjoy playing for this coaching staff,” said DeFalco. “We have a good culture to do something great and I wanted to be a part of it.”
Ethan Warner, a Bowling Green native, is a place kicker who echoed the sentiments of DeFalco and Zimmerly.
“Things are going pretty good,” said Warner. “The team itself, right now, we’re all working together.”
Warner, a sophomore, could see himself getting some action this season.
“I’m feeling good,” he said. “It’s 50/50 that I do kickoffs. I feel confident that I can win a spot.”
Warner talked about the demands of being a student-athlete at an NCAA Division I college.
“It’s pretty difficult. I’ll find time when I have a little break and work on some things,” he said. “It’s so important to stay on top of things.”
