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The #1 Category in Building a Championship Team: SCORING DEFENSE

by: AFM Editorial Staff
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“Scoring Defense is, without question, the most important of all statistics for football,” says Trinity College (CT) new Head Coach, Jeff Devanney. “The bottom line is how many points you give up, not how many yards your opponent gets on your defense. You can examine other stats – rushing offense and time of possession – which are also important, but limited; the bottom line is your scoring defense.”

    Devanney speaks from experience where Trinity has an incredible track record. The Division III Bantams led all colleges last fall in total defense, rushing defense, and scoring defense. In fact, they led all colleges in scoring defense, surrendering an average of 4.5 points per game. “We actually had a better scoring defense a few years ago,” says Devanney, “ only giving up 3.7 points a game.

    “But we really don’t stress statistics with our players. Our team has special goals in trying to create turnovers and not giving up big plays. Our offense – their efficiency and ball control – have been a big part of helping complement our defense. There sometimes is a mental side to scoring defense. With a strong offense, we’ve been way ahead in games early in the fourth quarter and our third stringers may play most of the quarter. They may give up two touchdowns which will hurt our scoring defense average but the more important factor is letting the kids play and have fun.”

    Another big factor in having a solid Scoring Defense is field position. “We really believe that field position and special teams play helps win most games,” says Indiana (PA) Head Coach Lou Tepper.     “Clearly, if you can keep your opponent from favorable field position and in three down territory – rather than four – it’s going to affect your scoring defense.”

    Tepper was the head coach at Edinboro University (PA) last fall that led all Division II schools in Scoring Defense. “There isn’t anything more important than Scoring Defense,” commented Tepper. “All three phases of football – offense, defense, and special teams – play a part in how effective you are in scoring defense.

    “Too many times teams get in trouble by giving up good field position to their opponent. The difference between three and four down territory – for field position – can make the difference between winning and losing. With better field position for your defense, you can take advantage with a more aggressive, attacking defense and more blitzing. You have to be careful in not giving up many big plays.”

        Don Brown, head coach of Massachusetts, which led all D I-AA colleges in scoring defense, feels there are three elements involved. “Defense involves taking away opportunities from your opponent but really has three different components: third down conversions – getting your opponent off the field; red zone defense – keeping your opponent out of the end zone; and scoring defense – limiting the opposition to as few points as possible.”

    Massachusetts’ defense certainly came through. Not only did they lead all D I-AA schools in scoring defense, they limited their opponents to one offensive touchdown through the first six games of last fall. “There is a mental aspect to defense as well,” says Brown. “We want to have our own identity on defense as we prepare for our next game. We teach man or zone pressure and are aggressive in nature on defense. We want to pressure the offense on every play.”







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