Spiders Defense Also Improving

[mojo-spider]

don't look now, but this was the fourth game in a row our defense has given us a chance to win...we didn't get it done, but we had a chance...we hadn't had too many chances until recently...

until the final four minutes plus we dominated a pretty explosive offense...sadly we saw how explosive they could be in the final four minutes...

the Bulldogs had 14 possessions our defense forced 6 "three and outs" and 9 punts...while we only recorded 4 sacks our defensive front pressured the Yale QB all night and stopped the Yale rushing attack...a frustrated Coach Huesman said afterwards we had the Yale QB on the ground about 25 times...I'm not sure about that, but was under good pressure for much of the evening...

Dressler, Wheeler, and Harris were tackling leaders again...this has become a solid trend...they are developing into a solid defensive foundation...

obviously we need to learn how to finish and continue to improve...I'm very hopeful these guys can give some of our upcoming CAA opponents trouble...

Go Spiders!

 

[32counter]

 

[eagle727272]

The "improving" defense gave up a 20-point lead in the second half to a no scholarship team at home and allowed 14 points in the final 1:23. Where do you see improvement? Gave a "chance to win"? They blew it.

 

[I-M-UR]

You could not have picked a worse time to make this post. The complete D collapse giving up 2 TDS in 2 minutes to lose a game.

 

[Hanca]

While, technically, Yale may not give athletic scholarships, Ivy League rules permit multiple ways to get players admitted. Agree should not have lost but Ivies skirt scholarship limits quite easily.

 

[mojo-spider]

You could not have picked a worse time to make this post. The complete D collapse giving up 2 TDS in 2 minutes to lose a game.

we agree the collapse was on the defense, couldn't have looked worse and happened at a worse possible time...

bottom line it put the L on our record...wins and losses are why we play and what we are...

no doubt the defense still has a good ways to go to get the personnel and technique back to Championship level, but I believe we are progressing versus past results...

note we have given up 20, 17 and 28 points versus three pretty good offenses...we haven't seen anything sustained like this on the defensive side in several years...

Go Spiders!

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

we haven't seen anything sustained like this on the defensive side in several years...

To be fair, we haven't been turning the ball over as much on this stretch.
Over the past few years, our offense has given up countless pick 6's, scoop-and-scores, and short fields.

 

[CarolinaSpider]

I agree that our defense is improving, but they are missing key opportunities that separates them from being great vs just
good. As an example, poor tackling at key times where we try to knock the ball carrier off their feet vs wrapping up; or like
the potential 4 interceptions that we dropped and one being an obvious Pick 6; or on the coaches with a 1:23 and up 13, not
adding DBs in to add speed and coverage since Yale was in a throwing mode. Our front 6 is our strength but our DBs are our
weakness on defense.

 

[MolivaManiac]

The problem with our pace of improvement is that Maurice Jackson will be gone when the season is over in a month.

Who is going to rush the passer next year? Does the talent line up for us to be better next year?

 

[eagle727272]

While, technically, Yale may not give athletic scholarships, Ivy League rules permit multiple ways to get players admitted. Agree should not have lost but Ivies skirt scholarship limits quite easily.

They’re in third place in the soft ivies conference. Come on.

 

[mojo-spider]

The problem with our pace of improvement is that Maurice Jackson will be gone when the season is over in a month.

Who is going to rush the passer next year? Does the talent line up for us to be better next year?

agree with this concern...I haven't researched it but do not recall frosh and sophomore dominated roster providing significant relief this season to supplement DL vets Jackson, Ritten, Turner and Ejoni...

hopefully some of the young guys shown on the "two deep" can step up next season with Ritten and Turner who should be back...

if they aren't ready to help next season maybe Coach Huesman and staff can find some help in the grad transfer exchange?

I hope we don't have to take another step backwards with the defense.

Go Spiders!

 

[KE Spider]

We lose 5 defensive starters - both DEs, both safeties and a corner. If no one transfers entire O is back except Fuller and Fesler. Going to need some defensive folks to step up and hit the grad transfer market hard.

I agree with Mojo that both O and D have shown much improvement from season start. After the first couple of games, I feared we would be humbled, crushed, embarrassed once we reached the late season line up. Now I believe we can give most a game if we play to potential. Believe the best we can hope for is 6-6 and even that is ambitious.

Go Spiders and hoping you prove me wrong!