BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Matt Johnson spent last season on crutches and on the sideline, rehabilitating his broken hip and inventing for himself a game to replace his normal activities as Bowling Green's starting quarterback: Johnson would locate a vantage point that allowed him to see the Falcons' offensive formation and call, and then visualize how he'd attack the ensuing play.
As Johnson grew more familiar with the system installed by first-year coach Dino Babers, he'd be able to remove one item from the equation. He'd see the formation, down and distance, and know what call Babers would signal into the offense.