10 sacks in 7 games

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EG#9

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This stat was mentioned by Ryan Burns on one of his podcasts, and I think it merits some discussion. The Gophers 10 sacks is tied for 13th in the conference with Rutgers, ahead of only Illinois who has just 6 sacks. Illinois and Rutgers have only played 6 games, so the Gophers 7 sacks is actually last in the conference among teams that have played 7 games and the next closest teams have 40% more sack production (Purdue and Northwestern with 14). The Gophers Defensive Line doesn't appear to be particularly stout against the run and seems (from the eye test, haven't looked up weights) to be small by B1G standards.

Sack Production

1 from Yoshoub Timms
1 from Roberto Ndondo-Lay
1 from De'Vondre Campbell
1 from Julian Huff
2 from Theiren Cockran
3.5 from Steven Richardson
0.5 from Hendrick Ekpe
0.5 from Jack Lynn

*ESPN stats must credit the team with 11 sacks, I found 10.5 on their site by going player by player (gave up finding the missing .5) B1G credits Gophers with 10 sacks.

What is the philosophy up front, and how does the team improve there? I remember reading years ago that the Kill philosophy was to be athletic on the dline, giving up size if necessary, and to rotate frequently to keep guys fresh.
 

In order to make that philosophy work, you need to find some DE's who can really rush the QB. Up to this point, the Gophers haven't been able to do that. Cockran has his moments, but it's telling that their sack leader is a DT.

And, the use of undersized DT's is problematic for the run game, because it's dependent on the Gophers using quickness to beat blocks. when they don't, they get pushed back and create space for opposing RB's.

I know that finding really good D-linemen may be one of the toughest things to do, but it sure would be nice if they could stumble onto someone other than Richardson.
 

to me that's really what would've made this defense elite. one guy who, even if he isn't getting his sacks, gets consistent pressure or forces double teams in pass rush. Would've lofted this team up real quick
 

So, the Ekpe bros have been pretty somber...
 




We have faced a lot of spread offenses with mobile QBs so far this year so that hasn't helped. But still, that is bad. We are facing some more pro style offenses with less mobile QBs in the coming weeks. Hopefully the DEs can get after the QB more.
 

A little disappointing to not see Alex Keith, Gaelin Elmore or Scott Ekpe on that list. You'd think they'd stumble onto a sack at some point with the amount of playing time they get. Perhaps Tralund Webber can help the pass rush some next season.
 

GophersInIowa said:
We have faced a lot of spread offenses with mobile QBs so far this year so that hasn't helped. But still, that is bad. We are facing some more pro style offenses with less mobile QBs in the coming weeks. Hopefully the DEs can get after the QB more.
Click to expand...

The spread offenses certainly don't help but the lack of pressure from the D-Line has been a problem for a while. Will be interesting to see if the entire team can top Karon Riley's 16 sacks from 1999.
 



Year Record Sacks

2006 6-7 25
2007 1-11 11
2008 7-6 34
2009 6-7 22
2010 3-9 9
2011 3-9 19
2012 6-7 26
2013 8-5 18
2014 8-5 27
2015 4-3 10
 

MNVCGUY said:
The spread offenses certainly don't help but the lack of pressure from the D-Line has been a problem for a while. Will be interesting to see if the entire team can top Karon Riley's 16 sacks from 1999.
Click to expand...

I agree. I also don't think we do a good job on the blitzes. Seems like we have a hard time getting to the QB even when we send an extra guy or two.
 

We have not been able to force teams into enough third and longs that are obvious passing situations. Having a secondary with lots of injuries does not help either.
 

Our defensive end play was atrocious last year. It's bad this year.

We can't blitz to save our lives.

A couple of our seniors never quite came around like I hoped.

I'd be sitting a couple of them.
 



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