I've been pleasantly surprised with the growth of the defense from last year and through the first four games. We look much faster across the board with huge improvements in our secondary separating the man from the ball.

We look to have a top 3-4 defense in the conference through one month, still think Marshall (overall) and JMU (front seven) are better than ours. Am I putting too much into our play versus mediocre offenses in ECU and WYO?

I think they are getting better. Seem to susceptible to the big play but seeing improvement from last year. Also lots of transfer on D so I think they are starting to mesh like they've played together for awhile. When you can get pressure it makes the back end look good as well.

And with a starting lineup last weekend of many sophomores, one junior and only 2 or 3 seniors. This is what is impressive to me. We can discount some of the opposing teams, sure...but I am impressed so far and cannot wait to see how things progress with more time with S&C coach and just having more time to gel together over the next few years.

Huge improvement in the D over last year. It's like night and day. The D will keep us in games while our young QB(s) develop. Contrary to any on here, I still think the future looks bright. Yeah, the loss Saturday sucked and nobody is happy.

JMU isn't strong in the secondary and I don't think their front 7 is as good as Wyoming. We have some very tough games ahead, but I don't see anyone on the schedule we can't beat. We certainly can't continue spotting them 14 points, but I don't see that happening either.

BambooRdApp wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 25, 2023 8:27 am

And with a starting lineup last weekend of many sophomores, one junior and only 2 or 3 seniors. This is what is impressive to me. We can discount some of the opposing teams, sure...but I am impressed so far and cannot wait to see how things progress with more time with S&C coach and just having more time to gel together over the next few years.

Hopefully we won't fall victim to the NIL

Our defense is progressing very well.

Before season I thought if our D could make substantial improvements this year then we would be a much better team. We are definitely on that track.

I am super pleased with progress.

I’m impressed with the progress the D has made. We’re actually seeing coverage sacks. That in and of itself is a remarkable improvement.

I’m putting more stock into wyo defense ECU didn’t have a chance. Cowboys defense is real deal. I think we run the ball down Monroe’s throat.

Several freshmen also contributing

JMUs dline is better than WYOs, WYO’s secondary is better.

JMU is faster top to bottom on D than Wyoming. As for App's D, the players are getting better each week. This D last year would have definitely had us in a bowl and possibly in the mix for a title.

I was just having a little fun comparing last season's stats to the first 4 games of this year.

https://sunbeltsports.org/stats.aspx?pa ... 23#defense

By most stats, App's defense isn't that much better than they were last year. However, App has 6 interceptions in the first 4 games this season. They had 7 interceptions ALL last season. That's huge.

Also, statistically, Marshall seems to be better than JMU. The sentiment I've gotten on this board is that JMU is the better team, but that may not be true. Time will tell.

MrCraig wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 27, 2023 2:04 pm

I was just having a little fun comparing last season's stats to the first 4 games of this year.

https://sunbeltsports.org/stats.aspx?pa ... 23#defense

By most stats, App's defense isn't that much better than they were last year. However, App has 6 interceptions in the first 4 games this season. They had 7 interceptions ALL last season. That's huge.

Also, statistically, Marshall seems to be better than JMU. The sentiment I've gotten on this board is that JMU is the better team, but that may not be true. Time will tell.

JMU has the better offense, Marshall has the better defense at all levels, especially in the secondary compares to JMU.

It is awesome to see the success of Coach Clark’s recruiting and off-season staff changes making such a HUGE impact.

Saint3333 wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 25, 2023 7:38 am

I've been pleasantly surprised with the growth of the defense from last year and through the first four games. We look much faster across the board with huge improvements in our secondary separating the man from the ball.

We look to have a top 3-4 defense in the conference through one month, still think Marshall (overall) and JMU (front seven) are better than ours. Am I putting too much into our play versus mediocre offenses in ECU and WYO?

I'd like to formally apologize for this thread with hindsight.

Saint3333 wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 02, 2023 12:44 pm

Saint3333 wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 25, 2023 7:38 am

I've been pleasantly surprised with the growth of the defense from last year and through the first four games. We look much faster across the board with huge improvements in our secondary separating the man from the ball.

We look to have a top 3-4 defense in the conference through one month, still think Marshall (overall) and JMU (front seven) are better than ours. Am I putting too much into our play versus mediocre offenses in ECU and WYO?

I'd like to formally apologize for this thread with hindsight.

AtlAppMan wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 26, 2023 7:50 pm

Our defense is progressing very well.

Before season I thought if our D could make substantial improvements this year then we would be a much better team. We are definitely on that track.

I am super pleased with progress.

After the ULM game I am disappointed. As I said prior to game, it looked like we were progressing BUT we definitely had our weaknesses exposed. Sloan and team are going to have to figure out the root cause of the breakdown Saturday. We looked lost for the first time this season. I still chalk up the GW game to our coaches using that game as an experiment to figure out where we were starting the season. Only time will tell how Sloan adjusts as we go forward. I know we played a very good UNC game against both a very good QB and RB. So I still believe we have the goods to play good Defense. We just need to fix the problems from the last game and don't let them happen again.

behind Parker, our LB play is young and inconsistent. Lots of growing pains to come IMO.

We just made their QB, who they wanted to replace with a True Freshman, look like a Heisman candidate. prior 2 games, 17-37 for 164 yrds, 2 int, 0 TD , 16 Rushes for 69 yrds.
Our D. 18-27. 268 yrds 1 Int. 4 TDs, 17 carries 74 yrds and 1 TD. I want their QB coach!

Honest question! What is it that we see/know that makes us think the defense is better/ improved over last year.