The secondary has almost nowhere to go but up after finishing 118th out of 119 Football Bowl Subdivision schools in passing defense last season.
This year’s secondary features a mix of upperclassmen and true freshmen.
“We don’t want to be the reason people point to if we lose a game,” said junior cornerback Vince Agnew. “We have to be the quarterback of the whole defense.”
Freshmen D.J. Scott and Evan Ray bring some energy to the secondary. Both are expected to play this season.
“This game is much faster than what I was used to playing in high school, but I love the challenge,” Scott said. “In my time here, I think I have already improved my ability to read the offense.”
Scot intercepted 11 passes last season for Thomas Johnson High School in Frederick, Md. His efforts were rewarded with an invitation to the Maryland Crab Bowl, where his team played an all-star team from Washington D.C.
Senior cornerback Josh Gordy said he acknowledged the competition the freshmen are bringing.
“The young guys are pushing us. We can’t get comfortable,” Gordy said. “If they do the right things in practice, they could all play.”
Gordy joins Eric Fraser as the two returning seniors in the secondary. Gordy and Fraser combined for 49 tackles and three interceptions last season.
As seniors, they have seen the defense at its worst and now are trying to set a new precedent in CMU football, Gordy said.
“We are tired of hearing people talk bad about the defense every year,” Gordy said. “But until we do something about it, it’s not going away. We know what we have to do.”
A team effort
As coach, Butch Jones said he understands the secondary is only the surface of passing defense.
“When everyone says pass defense, its easy just to look at the secondary,” Jones said. “But it is all 11 on the field doing their jobs.”
The Chippewas ranked 104th last season in total defense.
“Up front, you have to have a good pass rush,” Jones said. “It doesn’t matter what we do in the secondary if the quarterback has all the time to throw the football.”
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D.J. Palomares
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“We are tired of hearing people talk bad about the defense every year,” Gordy said. “But until we do something about it, it’s not going away. We know what we have to do.”
Excellent point, Josh. What would help would be if the secondary actually covered receivers and used proper form in tackling. No more of the attempted arm tackles and hitting someone without wrapping them up. The fault may not be entirely with the players, maybe it is time to FIRE the defensive coordinator and coach in charge of the secondary. Sorry, but Tim is just not getting the job done. 118th out of 119 teams….that is just pathetic! The only team in the FBS that was worse was the Nevada Wolfpack, in the pass-happy WAC.