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What an outstanding defensive performance by our Falcons. It looks like some of Lovett's ideas are finally taking hold and being grasped by the players.

Maybe now we can stop calling for our new DC's head after just a few bad games.

64 yards rushing allowed against a decent rushing team determined to play ball control - awesome!

I've always had faith in coach Lovett. I'm glad his squad is improving.

Good win and great defensive effort!

I finally saw tonight how great our defense could be. That first stop was unbelievable.. I was glad to be at the game.

I mentioned this in the chat, but it was awesome to see the leading tacklers this week were LB's and D-linemen! Johnson, Piepkow, Parks, Thaler.

VERY WELL DONE D!!!!

Our D-Line absolutely dominated the game. They were getting tons of penetration every time they needed it. We dominated the option in most situations, and got a pretty good pass rush. We were able to blitz effetively at times as well.

It was very nice to see such a good defensive performance from our guys. I hope it was not a byproduct of playing OU, but it was a great job by that unit.

I've ripped the defense in general all season (deservedly so), and our DLine in particular. Only fair to give 'em mad props tonight.

I couldn't make the game (damn on-call). Did the d-line do as much stunting and pre-snap shifting as we saw against Temple? Was it scheme, execution, or a combination of things that led to such a dominant performance?

There are two reasons our D was great today. #1 the play calling. Our first few games we just sat in our basic 4-3 and tried not to do too much. Today we changed it up and went into a 5-2 for a good part of the game, and when we went back to the 4-3 we would blitz just enough to keep them on their toes. Reason #2, Parks! He was a man possessed. #57 was all over the field. I don’t know how many tackles he had but he got his nose dirty and was in on almost everything he could have been. All I have to say is about time. I always hear people talk about Parks like he is this stud on D, and today he played like it.

Rightupinthere wrote:I've always had faith in coach Lovett.

I lost it it Madison.

But he's winning me back.

My head says Ohio and Temple aren't very good offenses. But my heart likes what I'm seeing.

Tonight, Ohio was able to find a few people open deep in the third quarter. But we seemed to adjust to whatever it was they were doing.

Reason #2, Parks! He was a man possessed. #57 was all over the field. I don’t know how many tackles he had but he got his nose dirty and was in on almost everything he could have been. All I have to say is about time. I always hear people talk about Parks like he is this stud on D, and today he played like it.

Not to mention he had some pass deflections, and I don't mean tips at the line. He dropped back in coverage alot and defended at least one fairly deep pass. He was definitely all over, like you said.

Schadenfreude wrote:

Rightupinthere wrote:I've always had faith in coach Lovett.

I lost it it Madison.

But he's winning me back.

My head says Ohio and Temple aren't very good offenses. But my heart likes what I'm seeing.

Tonight, Ohio was able to find a few people open deep in the third quarter. But we seemed to adjust to whatever it was they were doing.

Just like everything, they're a week-to-week project. I'll believe we can shut down Miami and Toledo when we do it. But, I at least have some confidence that we can perform. Heck, at ont point I thought even the worst offense could run on us.

That's worth noting. Because teams wanting to run the ball have had 100 yard rushers against us for a couple years, including Temple. The point is always made that if a team is committed to the run, they will get yards. But today, it was not that way.

able1 wrote:

Reason #2, Parks! He was a man possessed. #57 was all over the field. I don’t know how many tackles he had but he got his nose dirty and was in on almost everything he could have been. All I have to say is about time. I always hear people talk about Parks like he is this stud on D, and today he played like it.

Not to mention he had some pass deflections, and I don't mean tips at the line. He dropped back in coverage alot and defended at least one fairly deep pass. He was definitely all over, like you said.

Devon was outstanding last night. I think the radio crew's player of the game award went to Sharon, but mine would have gone to Parks no question. It seemed like he was in on every play last night. Thaler, Williams, Piepkow, and Jordan were no slouches either. Teddy dropped into coverage and made an incredible tip on a pass over the middle that made me think that whatever injury he had isn't bothering him anymore. Defense as a whole was awesome last night.

Our defense is starting to get more comfortable with Lovett's schemes. A lot of people wanted to throw him under the bus after the Wisconsin game, but we have to keep in mind that he wasn't hired until after spring ball. It takes time especially when you don't have NFL caliber talent. I liked how our defense played with emotion and with attitude even when things were going against them. I really like the fact that we're rotating our entire front seven; we never looked tired and we had a lot more energy than OU in that 4th quarter. OU obviously isn't a great team offensively, but it looks like we're making progress. If only the same could be said about the special teams.

Finally, a solid effort from our defense, i was impressed with our D line, they werent messing around. how about mr jelani jordan, he is playing great.

edr4225 wrote:Finally, a solid effort from our defense, i was impressed with our D line, they werent messing around. how about mr jelani jordan, he is playing great.

He got schooled on the long ball down the left sideline, but other than that had pretty good coverage most of the night. Nothing special on either of his INTs, they were gifts. If I was Solich I woulda beat the crap outta my QB at halftime, that throw Jelani picked there was one of the dumbest throws I've ever seen. He coulda tucked it and ran, and ended up close, instead he threw a duck for grabs. The second INT, should be credited to Thaler, who hit the OU QB on the arm. Right place, right time twice, but kudos for making the plays.

Our secondary has been pretty good most of this season, IMO. Nice to see the front 7 finally start to play better last night.