BOWLING GREEN — For the better part of four years, Nico Lautanen was in the background for Bowling Green.
The defensive tackle was in and out of the rotation for the Falcons, and even earned a handful of starts in his sophomore and junior years, but he always envisioned himself having a major role like former teammates Austin Valdez and Terrance Bush did.
This year, Lautanen’s patience has paid off. He’s tied for the team lead in sacks with 3 1/2, he’s started every game, and most importantly for Bowling Green coach Scot Loeffler, Lautanen is part of the leadership core setting a standard for younger teammates as the Falcons hope to revamp their program.