Football Midyear Review: Defense
10/9/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Today, LibertyFlames.com continues its Flames Midyear Review, a segment where the web site takes a brief look into each phase of the Flames football team during the bye week.
During today's segment, the Flames Midyear Review focuses on Liberty's defense, a unit which is holding opponents to 17.4 points per game. The unit has also held three of five opponents to less than two touchdowns during their match-up.
Defense has played a key factor in Liberty success under head coach Danny Rocco, as the Flames have held opponents to an average of 18.7 points per game since 2006. Liberty has had a Top 20 ranked scoring defense two out of the first three years under Rocco's tutelage, including 2006 when the Flames set a new program record and ranked No. 12 nationally by holding opponents to 15.6 points per game.
Much like the rest of the Flames depth chart, Liberty returned just a few defensive starters from last year's 10-2 Big South championship team. Of the 11 players who started against West Virginia Wesleyan last Saturday, only four were starters at their positions in 2008.
When Rocco took over the program, the 20-plus year defensive coaching veteran changed the Flames defensive formation, bringing the "3-4" defensive scheme to Liberty Mountain for the first time.
Linebackers are a key component to any "3-4" defense, and Liberty's defensive stats certainly prove that point. Three of the Flames' top four tacklers are members of the linebacking corps, led by outside linebacker Wes Cheek.
The former running back currently leads Liberty's defensive efforts with 34 total tackles, including a team-best 15 solo stops. Cheek has recorded two of Liberty's six interceptions on the season, which currently has the Flames ranked No. 24 nationally in passes intercepted.
During today's segment, the Flames Midyear Review focuses on Liberty's defense, a unit which is holding opponents to 17.4 points per game. The unit has also held three of five opponents to less than two touchdowns during their match-up.
Defense has played a key factor in Liberty success under head coach Danny Rocco, as the Flames have held opponents to an average of 18.7 points per game since 2006. Liberty has had a Top 20 ranked scoring defense two out of the first three years under Rocco's tutelage, including 2006 when the Flames set a new program record and ranked No. 12 nationally by holding opponents to 15.6 points per game.
Much like the rest of the Flames depth chart, Liberty returned just a few defensive starters from last year's 10-2 Big South championship team. Of the 11 players who started against West Virginia Wesleyan last Saturday, only four were starters at their positions in 2008.
When Rocco took over the program, the 20-plus year defensive coaching veteran changed the Flames defensive formation, bringing the "3-4" defensive scheme to Liberty Mountain for the first time.
Linebackers are a key component to any "3-4" defense, and Liberty's defensive stats certainly prove that point. Three of the Flames' top four tacklers are members of the linebacking corps, led by outside linebacker Wes Cheek.
The former running back currently leads Liberty's defensive efforts with 34 total tackles, including a team-best 15 solo stops. Cheek has recorded two of Liberty's six interceptions on the season, which currently has the Flames ranked No. 24 nationally in passes intercepted.
Get To Know Liberty Quarterback Deshawn Purdie
Wednesday, May 13
Get To Know Liberty Running Back Jaylon Coleman
Thursday, May 07
Get To Know Liberty Defensive End Michael Floyde
Thursday, April 30
Get To Know Liberty Linebacker Deuce Spurlock
Friday, April 24