On paper, the Gophers’ pass defense put up some strong numbers last season. Minnesota ranked 11th in the nation in passing yards allowed (174 a game) and led the country in fewest passing plays for more than 30 yards (eight).
Impressive, but only half the story.
The Gophers’ rush defense was below average, 74th among Division I programs, allowing 172 yards per game. More important, they rarely forced opponents to throw the ball in a 5-7 season.
“It wasn’t very good,” Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck said during fall camp...
Junior rush end Carter Coughlin, who led the Gophers with 6.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for lost yards last season, said missed assignments were a primary culprit.
“I would say the number one (thing is) making sure that everyone understands their jobs better, because last year we had guys jumping out of gaps,” Coughlin said. “For me … the coaches have stressed the importance of the ‘C’ gap. I’ve changed up my footwork and adjusted my stance, so I can fight for the ‘C’ gap better. I think that has gone along with the entire defensive line.”
Junior middle linebacker Thomas Barber said a year-plus within defensive coordinator’s Robb Smith’s 4-3 scheme has helped with the unit’s understanding. They took that knowledge into captains’ practice to teach new and younger players over the summer.
Fleck and Co. believe newcomers on the defensive line can boost the rushing defense and improve the pass rush, which was 79th in the country with an average of 1.9 sacks per game. Those additions are tackles O.J. Smith, an Alabama transfer, Royal Silver, an Iowa Western Community College transfer, and redshirt freshman end Esezi Otomewo.
“We have different guys stepping up,” said Coughlin. “O.J. Smith can bring a thud and clog up the middle.”...
https://www.twincities.com/2018/08/...defense-will-better-this-season-it-better-be/
Impressive, but only half the story.
The Gophers’ rush defense was below average, 74th among Division I programs, allowing 172 yards per game. More important, they rarely forced opponents to throw the ball in a 5-7 season.
“It wasn’t very good,” Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck said during fall camp...
Junior rush end Carter Coughlin, who led the Gophers with 6.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for lost yards last season, said missed assignments were a primary culprit.
“I would say the number one (thing is) making sure that everyone understands their jobs better, because last year we had guys jumping out of gaps,” Coughlin said. “For me … the coaches have stressed the importance of the ‘C’ gap. I’ve changed up my footwork and adjusted my stance, so I can fight for the ‘C’ gap better. I think that has gone along with the entire defensive line.”
Junior middle linebacker Thomas Barber said a year-plus within defensive coordinator’s Robb Smith’s 4-3 scheme has helped with the unit’s understanding. They took that knowledge into captains’ practice to teach new and younger players over the summer.
Fleck and Co. believe newcomers on the defensive line can boost the rushing defense and improve the pass rush, which was 79th in the country with an average of 1.9 sacks per game. Those additions are tackles O.J. Smith, an Alabama transfer, Royal Silver, an Iowa Western Community College transfer, and redshirt freshman end Esezi Otomewo.
“We have different guys stepping up,” said Coughlin. “O.J. Smith can bring a thud and clog up the middle.”...
https://www.twincities.com/2018/08/...defense-will-better-this-season-it-better-be/
