Chris "Belt To" Ash - Defensive Coordinator

IrishLax

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Bane

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I posted in the game thread, but going back to the second half of the Purdue game our defense has given up 34 points across 14 quarters. They have yielded only 7 points in the second half of the last 4 games, and that was a touchdown in garbage time to Purdue. That's 2.4 points per quarter.

While we haven't played great teams, we have played some good offenses and have held them in check. And it's not just the results (obviously those are chief) it's that the defense is passing the eye test. They're playing downhill, fast and free. They're physical and swarm to the ball. We're getting after the QB and causing turnovers.

Next week will be another big challenge but I feel much better now about our chances than I did even 2 weeks ago.
 

MrNimbus

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Credit is due where credit is due...but, he did give up 68 points in the first 2 games. Where was this the first 2 weeks? But he's been great the past few weeks. If he's even still in charge...
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Bane

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Not only is the defensive turn around important for the wins and losses, it immensely helps our CFP case when we inevitably get compared to 9 and 10 win teams. It's a much easier sell if we are good to great on both sides of the ball. Much harder to sell as a top 12 team if we're playoff worthy on one side, and not bowl eligible on the other side.
 

lcaps20

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Credit is due where credit is due...but, he did give up 68 points in the first 2 games. Where was this the first 2 weeks? But he's been great the past few weeks. If he's even still in charge...
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I think we (definitely me) probably undersold how difficult it is to adjust to your defensive personal when you don't have a warm up game to see how the players respond in game situations. It's one thing to call plays in camp, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the defense would have been much better with a warmup game week 1. Also a healthy secondary against A&M.
 

Bane

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I think we (definitely me) probably undersold how difficult it is to adjust to your defensive personal when you don't have a warm up game to see how the players respond in game situations. It's one thing to call plays in camp, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the defense would have been much better with a warmup game week 1. Also a healthy secondary against A&M.
Yeah, or at the very least a breather between Miami and A&M. All things considered, the defense wasn't too bad against Miami. That aTm game will haunt me all year, I'm just not impressed with them at all. A multiple score win over them with even a semi-competent defense.
 

MPClinton22

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I think we (definitely me) probably undersold how difficult it is to adjust to your defensive personal when you don't have a warm up game to see how the players respond in game situations. It's one thing to call plays in camp, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the defense would have been much better with a warmup game week 1. Also a healthy secondary against A&M.
also would have helped to not have your starting safety out for half against A&M cause of a terrible targeting call week 1
 

jprue24

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Call me a salty hater but I’m putting this turnaround on Freeman. As soon as we start looking respectable again is right when we go back to looking like a Freeman style defense.
Came here to say this. The defense was underperforming and Freeman said he was getting more involved. Since, the defense has no longer sucked.
 
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