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Run Defensive Woes? Seems Unlikely

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CptBuckeye24's picture
October 11, 2015 at 1:40pm
36 Comments

I know many around here are alarmed with our rush defense being ranked 10th in the B1G (now 11th after this week...), but do not let that number mislead you at all.  We ranked  are 48th in the nation in rush defense, by yardage.  There are 10 B1G teams ranked ahead of us, including 3 in the top in the nation.  But let's take a little deeper look into the statistics.  See below for the chart.  I have placed the ranking first, with the actual statistic in parenthesis.  I also have included our statistics from this point last season as well as our final ranking for a better feel for where we are. 

  2015 Rank Oct. 12 2014 Rank 2014 Final Rank
Carries Per Game 97 (43.3 Carries PG) 20 (33.8 Carries PG) 27 (35.9 Carries PG)
Rushing Yards Per Game 48 (152.7 YPG) 41 (134.8 YPG) 31 (141.7 YPG)
Opp. Rush Play Percentage 97 (56.89%) 66 (51.52%) 36 (50.15%)
Yards Per Carry Average 29 (3.5 YPC) 56 (4.0 YPC) 39 (3.9YPC)
Opp. Completion Percentage 3 (46.07%) 54 (57.82%) 33 (55.14%)
Passing Yards Per Game  6 (147.5/Game) 12 (178.8/Game) 15 (191.6/Game)
Sack Percentage 9 (9.64%) 31 (7.55%) 12 (8.6%)
Pass Attempts Per Game 38 (29.7/Game) 25 (29.4/Game) 70 (32.6/Game)
Opp. Pass Play Percentage 32 (43.11%) 63 (48.48%) 93 (49.85%)
  • Teams are running the football against us 10 times more per game than they were at this time last year.                              
  • However, we are allowing 3.5 yards per carry, which is a half yard less than last year and ranks 29 in the country. 
  • Our Defensive Line is sacking the 9.64% of passing plays, good for 9th in the nation.  While that may be independent to rushing statistics, it does give a rough evaluation to pressuring the QB, which is a good indicator of Defensive Line Play. 
  • Indiana ran the ball 55 times against us last week.  We still held them to 3.2 YPC even giving Diamont a 79 yard run and 98 yards on carries. 
  • We held Indiana running backs to 79 yards on 44 carries, good for 1.8 yards per carry.
  • My point is that we have done a pretty good job controlling the line of scrimmage.  We have struggled to contain the QB, particularly this week.
  • Not containing the QB is mostly the combination of scheme and over pursuit.  If there is one constant weakness or criticism on defense, it is over pursuit.  However, that is by virtue when you play an aggressive scheme, or partially by virtue. 
  • The issue with pursuit and gap control has been mostly the A-gap.  You can attribute this to the DL, particularly the NG, or to the Mike LB. McMillan has been fantastic, but at times, he has been caught of position.  It almost seems as if he is trying to do too much. 
  • Teams may be running the ball more frequently because of outstanding pass defense. Holding teams to a 46% completion percentage is dominance as well as ranking 6th in Yards per Game. 

This is a forum post from a site member. It does not represent the views of Eleven Warriors unless otherwise noted.

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