FCS 2019 PREVIEW: Brown Football Has The Experience Returning To Improve

HERO Sports welcomes you to "Three-a-Days", where we will preview every single one of the 126 FCS programs, with three teams being released each day from June 17 to July 28. Then, we'll preview all 13 conferences from August 1-4. Today, we present … Brown.

We'll leave no stone left unturned when it comes to giving the FCS diehards all they could ask for this offseason. Learn about every program in the country, with HERO Sports.

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Brown (1-9 IN 2018)

Ivy League (Brown finished 8th in 2018)

COACH: James Perry – At School: 1st year Overall: 3rd year (12-10)
LAST FCS POSTSEASON: N/A
2018 OFFENSE: 14.3 ppg. (119th in FCS)
2018 DEFENSE: 36.2 ppg. (105th in FCS)
KEY GAME: Sept. 21 – @ Bryant: This is a biggie for a number of reasons. First, coach Perry returns to the place where he got his head coaching start these last two seasons. More importantly for the team is this is the season opener for Brown and can set the tone for the rest of the year.
SUM IT UP: As suggested by the record and statistics above, it wasn't a pretty season for the Bears in 2018. But hey, there's plenty of reason for optimism. Sixteen starters return on offense and defense, including at the most important position on the field. There were some standout quarterbacks in this conference last year, and it was Brown signal caller Michael McGovern who led all passers with 220.2 yards throwing per game. McGovern returns this year along with four of his five starting offensive linemen and some terrific athletes at the skilled positions.

Leading the way defensively is tackle and team captain Michael Hoecht along with linebacker Brendan Pyne, who led the Ivy League with 48 solo tackles last year. But even with the number of returning starters, some position switches are possible. Perry is implementing new schemes on offense, defense and special teams and is looking to get the best 11 players on the field. The Bears also expect to be a faster team with a new offseason strength and conditioning program.

Brown wants to improve its running game, and a more open offensive attack should help with that. Allen Smith had bright spots as a freshman running back last year before getting hurt. His return is big for this team as it looks to improve in 2019.
OUR TAKE: Brown has had a below .500 record these last three seasons. There's always a sense of optimism when a program hires a new coach. But naming Perry was especially a home run to get things turned around. He's a former quarterback at the school and led the Bears to the 1999 Ivy League title. No doubt he has pride in getting this program back on track. Despite the completely new schemes, Brown's returning experience should help reduce any growing pains. We expect the Bears to be much more competitive in 2019 and get that win total up by a few more.

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TOP RETURNEE: Sr./WR Livingstone Harriott (All-Ivy League HM, 31 rec, 413 yards, 1 TD; 140 rush yards, 1 TD)
THE FOUNDATION: Sr./OL Phil Lynch (All-Ivy League HM); Jr./QB Michael McGovern (187-357, 2,202 yards, 8 TDs, 10 INT); Sr./LB Brendan Pyne (Ivy League's top returning tackler with 8.4 per game); Sr./DT Michael Hoecht (69 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks); So./RB Allen Smith (Top returning rusher)
TOP NEWCOMER: Fr./LB Ethan Royer (A big recruiting get as he was First Team All-Ohio and the Division I Central District Defensive Player of the Year.)
THE QUOTE: “I’m honored to return to my alma mater as its head coach and follow in the footsteps of Phil Estes, my mentor and friend. Brown is an exceptional place with a proven record of success in higher education and on the football field. I look forward to building an Ivy League Championship team at Brown once again through our ‘Fast and Physical’ style of playing football, and reconnecting with our legions of football alumni.” — Head Coach James Perry said