2019 Redbird Defense

[fourthandshort]

Thought it would be interesting to keep track of how were doing defensively with this group. Just notice we are # 1 in FCS in 3rd down defensive conversions .. here is top 10.


1 Illinois St. 3 8 47 .170
2 Sam Houston St. 3 8 46 .174
3 Hampton 3 9 43 .209
4 James Madison 3 10 45 .222
5 Idaho 3 8 35 .229
6 VMI 3 11 42 .262
7 Alcorn 3 11 40 .275
8 North Dakota St. 3 11 39 .282
9 Sacramento St. 3 14 49 .286
10 Villanova 3 15 52 .288

Also, tied for 1st in sacks, 2nd in Red Zone Defense, 16th in pass defense QBR, 10th in TFLs, 7th in yards per play, 10th in yards per game, tied for 8th in scoring ... all defensive rankings in all of FCS.

Now granted weve only played 1 tough game of the 3, but it's still something.

 

[StLRedbird]

The pass rush has been a pleasant surprise so far. Our inability to put pressure on the passer cost us a couple games last year,IMO. Still early, but if that part of the D can be productive it will be a dramatic improvement over last season

 

[TIMMY]

I wanna see how much push Ridgeway gets on their iity bitty center.

 

[RBFANTOO]

Thought it would be interesting to keep track of how were doing defensively with this group. Just notice we are # 1 in FCS in 3rd down defensive conversions .. here is top 10.


1 Illinois St. 3 8 47 .170
2 Sam Houston St. 3 8 46 .174
3 Hampton 3 9 43 .209
4 James Madison 3 10 45 .222
5 Idaho 3 8 35 .229
6 VMI 3 11 42 .262
7 Alcorn 3 11 40 .275
8 North Dakota St. 3 11 39 .282
9 Sacramento St. 3 14 49 .286
10 Villanova 3 15 52 .288

Also, tied for 1st in sacks, 2nd in Red Zone Defense, 16th in pass defense QBR, 10th in TFLs, 7th in yards per play, 10th in yards per game, tied for 8th in scoring ... all defensive rankings in all of FCS.

Now granted weve only played 1 tough game of the 3, but it's still something.

WOW! I thought the D was playing well but those are impressive stats.
Even after saying that I think they will even improve as the season progresses.

 

[fourthandshort]

we figured out the containment aspect very well last year .. the issue was, we're we sacrificing more sacks and TFLs to make sure we stayed home and were gap disciplined. If we can figure out how to get to QB and maintain gaop discipline ... going to be even more fun top watch this team develop this year.

The guy everyone talks about with pass rush is Romeo McKnight ... but teams know this about us. But that means others could emerge .... so I look for guys like Tuvon Clark, Blake Fehrmann, Aaron Mends, and Brandon Simon to start big plays along with McKight. Then with 325 lb Ridgeway, 295 lb Pukulski and 290 lb Lewan ... all 6'5" ish cloggin up the middle .. our DEs and LBers are gping to be salivating at chances to make plays. But got to stay disciplined in our gaps .. that's waht made us so good the last couple years.

But sacks are fun to see too !!!!

 

[fourthandshort]

So just finished NAU game ... run defense was phenomenal with 26 carries for 25 yards. Pass rush was strong .. 5 sacks plus another 15 QBHs. 2 weeks ago NAU played Arizona and only got 1 sack and no QBHs. EIU was similar situation, we got 8 sacks plus 12 QBHs, and could have had 5 more .. they played Indiana a week prior, and they only got 2 sacks and 1 QBH.

So it looks like Spack and Niekamp figured out how to get to QB this year compared to last year.

 

[Hamdonger]

So just finished NAU game ... run defense was phenomenal with 26 carries for 25 yards. Pass rush was strong .. 5 sacks plus another 15 QBHs. 2 weeks ago NAU played Arizona and only got 1 sack and no QBHs. EIU was similar situation, we got 8 sacks plus 12 QBHs, and could have had 5 more ..

Absolutely love the pressure on the line and QB...teams have to make plays to beat you. (generic statement but not really...punching teams in the chin and daring them to punch back) Hope the defensive balls out attitude is contagious to a conservative offense. Looked like it today!

 

[Sanantoniobird]

Thought it would be interesting to keep track of how were doing defensively with this group. Just notice we are # 1 in FCS in 3rd down defensive conversions .. here is top 10.


1 Illinois St. 3 8 47 .170
2 Sam Houston St. 3 8 46 .174
3 Hampton 3 9 43 .209
4 James Madison 3 10 45 .222
5 Idaho 3 8 35 .229
6 VMI 3 11 42 .262
7 Alcorn 3 11 40 .275
8 North Dakota St. 3 11 39 .282
9 Sacramento St. 3 14 49 .286
10 Villanova 3 15 52 .288

Also, tied for 1st in sacks, 2nd in Red Zone Defense, 16th in pass defense QBR, 10th in TFLs, 7th in yards per play, 10th in yards per game, tied for 8th in scoring ... all defensive rankings in all of FCS.

Now granted weve only played 1 tough game of the 3, but it's still something.

I think the Red Zone Defense is huge and has come up huge for us all year so far. Glad you highlighted this 4th. We get some consistent offense and we may be an MVFC contender.

 

[Chi-bird]

I am very surprised and impressed with our ability to rush the QB. I thought it would be a weakness.

 

[fourthandshort]

So here is where wwe stand after week 4 in team defense in all of FCS. Here is the top 10 in 1st downs per game

Team Games rush pass penalty 1st downs per game
James Madison 4 13 29 5 47 11.75
Davidson 4 18 32 5 55 13.75
Georgetown 3 28 14 3 45 15.00
South Dakota St. 4 23 33 5 61 15.25
Illinois St. 4 17 40 4 61 15.25
North Dakota St. 4 20 37 4 61 15.25
Kennesaw St. 4 23 31 8 62 15.50
Sam Houston St. 4 18 33 12 63 15.75
Idaho St. 3 24 22 2 48 16.00
Wofford 3 18 26 4 48 16.00

- tied 4th in 1st down defense, ironically tied with NDSU and SDSU, if you remove teams that have only played 1 or 2 games
- 5th in 3rd down coversion, which is down from 1st, but we just played the #1 pass offense in all of FCS
- 1st in sacks
- 1st in red zone defense, if you remove the 3 Ivy teams who have played just 1 game
- 8th in total yards per play
- 15th in total yards per game, ignoring the 5 Ivy teams who played 1 game
- 10th in TFLs ignoring 3 teams who played 1 or 2 games

Have to point out, we've played 2 good teams and 2 week teams, and our SOS ranks 68 per Massey .. though this is comparable to other top defenses like JMU, NDSU and SDSU at this point.


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[fourthandshort]

Here is updated ranking of 1st downs per game: note I divided the conferences into A & B .. the usual one bid conferences are B, the multiple bid conferences are A. So we rank 15th overall and 6th among the A conferences. Noting MVFC has 6 of the top 10 from A conferences ... same 6 of top 25 across all conferences.

# Team Name (conference) G Rush Pass Pen Tot PerGm A/B
2 North Dakota St. (MVFC) 6 31 49 6 86 14.33 A
4 James Madison (CAA) 7 25 66 13 104 14.86 A
9 Sam Houston St. (Southland) 7 29 70 15 114 16.29 A
11 South Dakota St. (MVFC) 6 40 49 9 98 16.33 A
14 Wofford (SoCon) 5 34 44 5 83 16.60 A
15 Illinois St. (MVFC) 6 38 57 5 100 16.67 A
21 Indiana St. (MVFC) 6 49 49 6 104 17.33 A
22 Maine (CAA) 6 52 39 13 104 17.33 A
23 Youngstown St. (MVFC) 6 43 43 20 106 17.67 A
24 UNI (MVFC) 6 46 56 5 107 17.83 A

Very similar results in total defensive yards per play ... 26th overall yards per game, but 17th in yards per play ... drops to 7th in yards per play against A conference teams only. Still 1st in sacks and Red Zone defense. Note, this includes playing against 2 top 10 offenses in FCS (NAU and NDSU) and an FBS. We're 9th overal in 3rd down % defensive, 4th in A conferences.

So slipped a little more the last 2 weeks, but still playing at high livel despite having gone up against 2 very good FCS offenses and an FBS.

 

[ChiRedbirdfan]

I am very surprised and impressed with our ability to rush the QB. I thought it would be a weakness.

:text-+1: such a dramatic improvement year over year

 

[fourthandshort]

depite weak game from QB pressure standpoing, we're still # 1 in total sacks, and #2 in sacks per game behind Harvard, and well ahead of everyone else.

still #1 in Red Zone Defense by a lot.

Most other team defense stats are slipping though. We seem to be the opposite of a year ago when we were very stout in every phase, but didn't get to QB at all. Flipped that script completely this year. Honestly, I would take last years defense over this years defense, even with all the sacks this year. Though I love how we tighten up in Red Zone ... which tells me our defense can stiffen up amd dominate on a smaller field when our backs are against the wall .. and when it really counts the most ... points.

Maybe we're getting sack happy and it is compromising our assignment and gap discipline ???

 

[JHBird]

You figure with WIU's poor pass blocking and our highly rated pass rush that WIU wouldn't take too many deep drops, so the 'low' sack total shouldn't be surprising. I think they game planned us good but luckily turned the ball over a bunch. I think we can win the rest of our home games. We have a chance at YSU, but I figure we'll get eight wins somehow. The pass offense needs to be better though.

 

[Sanantoniobird]

You figure with WIU's poor pass blocking and our highly rated pass rush that WIU wouldn't take too many deep drops, so the 'low' sack total shouldn't be surprising. I think they game planned us good but luckily turned the ball over a bunch. I think we can win the rest of our home games. We have a chance at YSU, but I figure we'll get eight wins somehow. The pass offense needs to be better though.

If we can win the games we’re supposed to, and somehow slip by UNI and YSU (at the Ice Castle), I think we are playing for a seed. Gotta get ahead in the game with these teams with nothing to lose...they are the threat. Just ask Wisconsin.

 

[fourthandshort]

You figure with WIU's poor pass blocking and our highly rated pass rush that WIU wouldn't take too many deep drops, so the 'low' sack total shouldn't be surprising. I think they game planned us good but luckily turned the ball over a bunch. I think we can win the rest of our home games. We have a chance at YSU, but I figure we'll get eight wins somehow. The pass offense needs to be better though.

If we can win the games we’re supposed to, and somehow slip by UNI and YSU (at the Ice Castle), I think we are playing for a seed. Gotta get ahead in the game with these teams with nothing to lose...they are the threat. Just ask Wisconsin.

Problem is, we could easily finish 8-4 and not have beaten a single ranked team, much less a playoff team. Tough resume to get a top 8 seed with. Just not enough true quality wins at thsi point.

Need to let Davis throw the ball if we're going to take this to next level.

 

[Sanantoniobird]

You figure with WIU's poor pass blocking and our highly rated pass rush that WIU wouldn't take too many deep drops, so the 'low' sack total shouldn't be surprising. I think they game planned us good but luckily turned the ball over a bunch. I think we can win the rest of our home games. We have a chance at YSU, but I figure we'll get eight wins somehow. The pass offense needs to be better though.

If we can win the games we’re supposed to, and somehow slip by UNI and YSU (at the Ice Castle), I think we are playing for a seed. Gotta get ahead in the game with these teams with nothing to lose...they are the threat. Just ask Wisconsin.

Problem is, we could easily finish 8-4 and not have beaten a single ranked team, much less a playoff team. Tough resume to get a top 8 seed with. Just not enough true quality wins at thsi point.

Need to let Davis throw the ball if we're going to take this to next level.

You beat the people on your schedule, I think that’s all you can do and the committee knows that. Look at Kennesaw St. 2 DII’s and they have no one to challenge them in their conference and will still get a seed.
But yes, you’re right, we win only 8 and we are squeaking in based on conference affiliation alone. It’s tough being in the MVC, but lovely being in the MVFC. [emoji57]

 

[fourthandshort]

So we continue to do very well defensively in Sacks, Red Zone, and yards per play. Were still #2 in sacks per game behind Harvard, but our dominant lead is closing as more teams adjust their game plans against us our pass rush.

Impressively, we're still #1 in Red Zone defense in both FCS and MVFC with a comfortable lead. One related offensive stat ... surprisingly, we also rank 9th in FCS and 1st in MVFC in red zone offense. When all is said and done, if we put things together on offense, this stat may prove to be our greatest strength .. playing where points scored (or not scored) matter most ... in the red zone.

Here is top 12 total defense yards per play. We rank 12th in FCS. But if you exclude the teams from weak conf due to weak SOS .. like NEC, MEAC, Ivy, Big South, Patriot ... we would be 7th and in very good company with likes NDSU, SDSU, UNI, and JMU.

Should be a really good scrum with UNI today .. one to enjoy if you like defense.

Rank Team G W-L Plays YDS Yds/Play Off TDs Opp TDs YPG
2 Central Conn. St. (NEC) 8 7-1 499 2,160 4.33 16 19 270.0
19 Sam Houston St. (Southland) 9 5-4 670 2,919 4.36 17 19 324.3
6 N.C. A&T (MEAC) 7 5-2 468 2,047 4.37 20 20 292.4
8 Dartmouth (Ivy League) 6 6-0 408 1,788 4.38 8 8 298.0
1 Kennesaw St. (Big South) 8 7-1 465 2,072 4.46 12 12 259.0
3 North Dakota St. (MVFC) 8 8-0 483 2,165 4.48 7 8 270.6
12 UNI (MVFC) 8 5-3 568 2,555 4.50 20 20 319.4
13 Austin Peay (OVC) 8 5-3 558 2,557 4.58 23 23 319.6
7 Georgetown (Patriot) 8 5-3 514 2,359 4.59 14 14 294.9
10 South Dakota St. (MVFC) 8 6-2 527 2,435 4.62 16 17 304.4
18 Illinois St. (MVFC) 8 6-2 556 2,592 4.66 17 18 324.0
4 James Madison (CAA) 9 8-1 559 2,609 4.67 17 17 289.9

 

[fourthandshort]

for perspective on our red zone defense ... last year, NDSU led FCS is red zone defense and total defense. 2018 was consider one of their 2 best teams ever .. 2013 being the other. NDSU led FCS with 54% in red zone ... so teams scored 13 of 24 trips into red zone. What was most amazing was holding opponents to 24 trips in 15 games.

This year, we lead in red zone at 52% .. or 13 scored in 25 trips .. though in only 8 games, not the 15 games over which NDSU did it. Last year, we finished 19th at 74% of 35 trips. The other improvement is last year we gave up 14 rushing TDs in 35 trips .. this year, we have given up just 2 rushing TDs in 24 trips.

So we've really become much mroe proficient in the red zone both defensively and offensively this year.

Credit to our coaching staff ... we've taken a strong defense from a year ago and figured out not only how to get to QB much bettr, but how to really tighten things up much better in red zone. This will serve us well if we make playoffs and weather gets worse.

Maybe that was Spack's plan all along ... game plan each to avoid the upsets that have plagued us the last 3 years and get ready for bad playoff weather. Still need to work on pass game, but we're on an ok track, albeit not putting people away.

 

[fourthandshort]

https://stats.ncaa.org/rankings/change_sport_year_div

Thru game 10 of 12 .. still way up there in sacks (4th) and red zone defense (#1). 8th in scoring defense. Run defense ranks 15th in ypc, but would jump to 3rd place if you removed teams from weak conferences.

Below is total defensive yards allowed per game (14th) and per carry (10th). but must note how many teams ahead of us play in weak conferences (Ivy, NEC, Patriot, OVC) .. removing those teams from ranking would place us 6th in ypc behind SHSU, NDSU, UNI, SDSU, JMU .. SHSU is probably not in the company of the other 5 .. their SOS ranks 60th per Massey.

My point ... aside from highlighting our defense this year, is that we have already faced the top 3 defenses in FCS during our conference season. And arguably, 4 of the top 5 defenses in FCS come from MVFC, with our Redbirds ranking 5th .. if you accept my removal of teams who benefit from a bunch of easy games.

Rank Team G W-L Plays YDS Yds/Play Off TDs Opp TDs YPG
16 Sam Houston St. (Southland) 10 6-4 749 3,191 4.26 18 20 319.1
5 Dartmouth (Ivy League) 8 8-0 539 2,338 4.34 9 9 292.3
1 Central Conn. St. (NEC) 10 9-1 635 2,766 4.36 21 24 276.6
12 Austin Peay (OVC) 10 7-3 691 3,121 4.52 28 28 312.1
2 North Dakota St. (MVFC) 10 10-0 611 2,770 4.53 12 13 277.0
11 UNI (MVFC) 10 7-3 686 3,110 4.53 21 21 311.0
7 Georgetown (Patriot) 9 5-4 583 2,671 4.58 17 17 296.8
9 South Dakota St. (MVFC) 10 7-3 650 2,986 4.59 20 21 298.6
4 James Madison (CAA) 10 9-1 615 2,852 4.64 19 19 285.2
14 Illinois St. (MVFC) 10 7-3 683 3,172 4.64 22 23 317.2