Defense

[Rekdiver]

Turnovers dont help our Defense.........................

[Saint3333]

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

Until the ULM game our coverage was pretty good. Our scheme seems to work well within 15 maybe 20 yards of the LOS. ULM when given time torched us deep in one on one matchups consistently.

When the defense isn't giving up 60 yards runs (over pursuit seems to be the main issue there) and matching up against the deep ball they've done well.

Look faster, improved tackling, creating more turnovers.

[appstatealum]

Turnovers dont help our Defense.........................

14pt deficits don't help our QBs

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

Defense helped us get back in the game early with a pick 6 and played lights out in the 4th. Not all was bad. But there was a lot of bad to work on.

[Yosef84]

What makes me think the D has improved? Last year we consistently couldn't defend the pass. With the exception of ULM, we have done that very well this year. We have also been able to get more pressure on the QB. ULM (hopefully) was an anomaly in that they came out with a game plan that flipped their strategy. We had a short week to prepare because of travel and ULM had a by week so two full weeks to prepare. I'm not trying to excuse it, but we did ultimately make adjustments and get key stops in the fourth quarter. That's something that we couldn't do last year. We are also able to rotate many more players than we did last year because the depth is greatly improved.

I'm not saying that we don't have things to improve in D, but I can't see how the improvement could be questioned. We are only 5 games into the season, so we will see how it works out. I sure hope the improvement continues. We have some tough games ahead, but I don't see one that we don't have a decent shot to win.

[AppFan11]

There is no question that our pass D is way better than last year. Nationally we are 19th in the country in pass D…. 2nd in our conference… we’ve done well limiting yards and tds through the air….where we have lost ground, no pun intended, is our rush D and scoring D…. we are like 97th in rush D……it is killing us. We have lots of new people there, particularly at the LB spots… out of the four spots… we have one returning #7 and since Harrington went down at the UNC game… the other three spots are being played by new people…. and it shows. #7 is our leading tackler and the second leading tackler is a safety….. it’s the LB’s that should be making the plays in our version of the 3-4 D….. I will say that there are series where can play well there…. but just not at the point where we can do it for long stretches yet.

[asumba95]

There is no question that our pass D is way better than last year. Nationally we are 19th in the country in pass D…. 2nd in our conference… we’ve done well limiting yards and tds through the air….where we have lost ground, no pun intended, is our rush D and scoring D…. we are like 97th in rush D……it is killing us. We have lots of new people there, particularly at the LB spots… out of the four spots… we have one returning #7 and since Harrington went down at the UNC game… the other three spots are being played by new people…. and it shows. #7 is our leading tackler and the second leading tackler is a safety….. it’s the LB’s that should be making the plays in our version of the 3-4 D….. I will say that there are series where can play well there…. but just not at the point where we can do it for long stretches yet.

Outside of Parker, LB's are inexperienced and lack lateral quickness. Trial by fire with the youngsters. We'd have a stud LB group if Harrington was healthy and Jalen McCloud hadn't bolted for Auburn.

[Stonewall]

I like our athleticism.Pursuit angles frustrate me , need improvement .

[AppDub]

Ferrar and Haynes are going to be stud LBs with time.

[JTApps1]

There is no question that our pass D is way better than last year. Nationally we are 19th in the country in pass D…. 2nd in our conference… we’ve done well limiting yards and tds through the air….where we have lost ground, no pun intended, is our rush D and scoring D…. we are like 97th in rush D……it is killing us. We have lots of new people there, particularly at the LB spots… out of the four spots… we have one returning #7 and since Harrington went down at the UNC game… the other three spots are being played by new people…. and it shows. #7 is our leading tackler and the second leading tackler is a safety….. it’s the LB’s that should be making the plays in our version of the 3-4 D….. I will say that there are series where can play well there…. but just not at the point where we can do it for long stretches yet.

We're also missing two of our top three returning NT. That has led to a lot of inexperience playing in the front seven.

[DenverOfTheEast]

App State scored 41 points and had 4 TURNOVERS vs ULM by the way, another reason why the O is pretty good.

Understanding defense:

When your offense scores really fast - means less time of possession, means more time your defense has to take the field. ALSO when your offense turns the ball over 4 times, that is 4 more times your defense is on the field, not good on a 85* Saturday night game in muggy Monroe


AT Wyoming, the defense gave up ONE play, One of 75 yards. The other was a turnover inside the 30 yard line, so technically at Wyoming they only gave up 12 points and a 2 point conversion.

At UNC vs a ranked team and a first round QB, the defense had multiple 4th down stands, very solid performance.

No Shut outs being thrown in college football these days vs competent coaching and good QB play.

I would say the ULM game was a aberration and too much time on field considering it turned into a track meet.

[MrCraig]

App State scored 41 points and had 4 TURNOVERS vs ULM by the way, another reason why the O is pretty good.

Understanding defense:

When your offense scores really fast - means less time of possession, means more time your defense has to take the field. ALSO when your offense turns the ball over 4 times, that is 4 more times your defense is on the field, not good on a 85* Saturday night game in muggy Monroe


AT Wyoming, the defense gave up ONE play, One of 75 yards. The other was a turnover inside the 30 yard line, so technically at Wyoming they only gave up 12 points and a 2 point conversion.

At UNC vs a ranked team and a first round QB, the defense had multiple 4th down stands, very solid performance.

No Shut outs being thrown in college football these days vs competent coaching and good QB play.

I would say the ULM game was a aberration and too much time on field considering it turned into a track meet.

I hope you're right. But it's hard to be optimistic when these same exact conversations were happening at this same point last season.

[Stonewall]

I think we are better , and will get better.I like the staff , Sloan and company.

[AppFan11]

I think we are and will continue to get better… really think the D will be one of the best next season… probably will still need some portal help…

[BambooRdApp]

App State scored 41 points and had 4 TURNOVERS vs ULM by the way, another reason why the O is pretty good.

Understanding defense:

When your offense scores really fast - means less time of possession, means more time your defense has to take the field. ALSO when your offense turns the ball over 4 times, that is 4 more times your defense is on the field, not good on a 85* Saturday night game in muggy Monroe


AT Wyoming, the defense gave up ONE play, One of 75 yards. The other was a turnover inside the 30 yard line, so technically at Wyoming they only gave up 12 points and a 2 point conversion.

At UNC vs a ranked team and a first round QB, the defense had multiple 4th down stands, very solid performance.

No Shut outs being thrown in college football these days vs competent coaching and good QB play.

I would say the ULM game was a aberration and too much time on field considering it turned into a track meet.

I hope you're right. But it's hard to be optimistic when these same exact conversations were happening at this same point last season.

Personally, this has been primarily a one game conversation, ulm. Have been better with pass defense with exception of ulm. Drake Maye did not have a field day. Could have played the run better against UNC ...but pick your poison. We picked the right one given 2OT game. Wyoming had one long run. Otherwise, their total offense would have been less 200 yards.
We have a bunch of sophomores starting on defense. Hope the continue to improve this year.

[DenverOfTheEast]

The part everyone forgets about the UNC game,

It took 4 quarters and Double OT and they only scored 40...

A year ago it was 100 gazillion in 4 quarters.
(how many take this literal and quote me with a post, in 3, 2, 1....)

My biggest two issues all season have not been defense:

1)it was the 2nd OT at UNC play calling - Narrow side of field 4 straight plays and not enough Noel.
2)the final drive at Wyoming no out routes to kill the call, we were out of TO's
(at ULM we got out of bounds in the final drive) #Progress

[WVAPPeer]

To paraphrase (sorta) an ex NFL coach ---
DEFENSE? DEFENSE? You talking about DEFENSE!!!
https://www.highschoolot.com/story/pend ... /21085691/