Published on Thursday, September 13, 2007

Eastern Michigan defensive breakdown

By BEN GROSS

Defensive Line
With four tackles for a loss, defensive tackle Jason Jones ranks No. 10 in the nation in the category.

The 6-foot-5 270-pound senior also has one sack, four quarterback hurries, and seven tackles in two games.

Forcing pressure on the quarterback is the speciality of this defensive line. The veteran group of two seniors and two juniors have 13 hurries and four broken up passes this season.

However, Jones is the only member to have recorded a sack.

Despite providing pressure on the quarterback, Eastern Michigan University’s rushing defense ranks No. 60 out of 119 teams in the nation. The quartet hasn’t stopped the run, as they are allowing an average of 141.5 yards per game via the ground.
Grade: C+


Linebackers
As a true freshman, Daniel Holtzclaw had to step up and take over the middle linebacker role.

Now a junior, the Enid, Okla. native is sixth in the MAC in tackles. With 19 tackles, 12 of them solo, the junior has provided a punch from the middle.

Weak side linebacker Andrew Hatchett and strong side linebacker Darran Matthews are second and third in tackling respectively for EMU.

With a combined 53 tackles the trio have produced four tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.

Despite the nice stats, EMU is allowing opponents an average 392 yards per game with an average of 5.33 yards-per-play. With a defense that ranks No. 76 overall in the nation, and No. 95 in scoring, the stats have not been translating to results.
Grade: C


Secondary
One broken up pass is what the four members of the secondary have done against receivers so far this season.

With offensives entering the red zone 10 times against the Eagles, the defense has only stopped their opponents once. Seven of those successes were for touchdowns with four coming from the air.

Offensives have averaged 250.5 yards from its passing game against the Eagles, whose own air attack is not soaring in the sky. Plus, opponents are completing over 55 percent of passes, with an average of 14.3 yards-per-reception against EMU.

Besides that, the Eagles rank second to last in third-down conversions in the MAC. Teams are converting 52.8 percent of the time against the green and white jerseys.

The only team worse than that in the MAC is Bowling Green, which are allowing 53.3 percent of third down conversions.
Grade: D+