A few individual defensive stats

[WyomingAg]

After 4 games, the following players are in the top 20 in the nation for total tackles:
4. Brian Hendricks
11. Gabe Knapton
17. Chris Prosinski

http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2009&rpt=IA_playertotaltackles&site=org&div=IA&dest=O

These players are tied for tenth in the nation for interceptions:
10. Tashaun Gipson
10. Shamiel Gary

http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2009&rpt=IA_playerint&site=org&div=IA&dest=O

John Fletcher is tied for 30th in the nation in sacks
http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2009&div=IA&rpt=IA_playerpasssacks&site=org&div=IA&dest=O

Shamiel Gray is also tied for 17th in the nation for passes defended
http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.j...A_playerpassesdefended&site=org&div=IA&dest=O

As a team Wyoming is 4th in the nation in interceptions, and 12th in the nation for turnovers gained, and 3rd in the nation for turnover margin.

Other stats can be found here: http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2009&div=IA&site=org

 

[MrTitleist]

But there's one glaring stat in all of that: We're 106th in total D. By far our worst ranking in quite some time.

 

[gopokes1399]

I dont think 106th really means anything because we have a strong D that makes plays the Texas game doesnt help with that stat

 

[MrTitleist]

Neither does 400+ yards vs. Weber St. QBs are having a field day with the UW secondary right now.

 

[gopokes1399]

i think things are starting to turn around idk i have a feeling theyll get better but u are right BYU may put up big numbers in the air

 

[calpoke25]

I dont think 106th really means anything because we have a strong D that makes plays the Texas game doesnt help with that stat

But if 106th doesn't mean anything, then neither did our high rankings for the past couple of years in total D, because thats the only thing we could hang our hat on, it certainly wasn't scoring D.

I am concerned that our D is moving a LITTLE bit towards the overrated department. Teams are moving the ball on us, and we can't stop anybody on 3rd down no matter how long it is. I just don't feel we are palying up to our potential on D. I see a lot of room for improvement.

Also, having a bunch of players with lots and lots of tackles isn't really a good thing for our defense. That means we aren't forcing many 3 and outs. Good defenses don't have a lot of tackles because they aren't on the field for many plays.

Now the turnover margin, thats a huge improvement.

 

[OrediggerPoke]

Having 3 guys in the top 20 in tackles is not really a good thing. That means other teams have had to run a lot of plays. In order to achieve that, two things are usually necessary: 1) defense's inability to stop drives 2) offense's inability to maintain drives.

While I like Prosinski's knack for the ball...I would NEVER want a safety from my team in the top 20 in the nation for tackles.

Hopefully the offense from the 2nd half of the UNLV game is a sign of things to come. Then we won't have to worry about our defense being on the field most of the game. However, hopefully the defense won't allow as many 3rd down conversions as we did against UNLV.