Rush Through the Numbers: Defense

We have taken a look at the offensive statistics and now we turn our attention to the defense. The defense was solid for most of the season, but late in games it seemed they could not finish the plays, allowing opponents to stay on the field and get game winning scores against them. They put up huge numbers, but have to get better heading into next season. Here are some of the top performers.

Sophomore DeDe Lattimore led the team in tackles this season with 94 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 1 interception, and 2 forced fumbles. Lattimore was a tackling machine and flew off the edge when Snyder sent him on blitz packages. Lattimore had 59 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks last season, showing his incredible improvement.

Michael Lanaris had 87 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 interception as the starting middle linebacker. Sam Barrington had 72 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and one interception, anchoring a solid linebacking corps that will return next season.

Jerrell Young had 51 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions. Kayvon Webster had 49 tackles, one tackle for loss, 2 interceptions, and defended 7 passes in his first full season as a starter. In 2010, he had just 29 tackles, showing his incredible skill (missed one game this season too). Jon Lejiste had 47 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 interception. Quenton Washington battled injuries to finish the year with 45 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one interception.

The defensive line was solid this season with a lot of new faces. Ryne Giddins had 44 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks getting the starting job. Cory Grissom had 38 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. True freshman Elkino Watson had 33 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and one sack (insane numbers from him). Keith McCaskill had 29 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks. Claude Davis had 16 tackles and 7 sacks as well. Other players such as Mike Juene had 23 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and a half sack. Mark Joyce had 21 tackles and 1 tackle for loss. Julius Forte had 21 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks as well, rounding out a solid defensive unit that will only get better heading into next season.