ShowMeBear2
September 5th, 2007, 09:30 PM
MSU Bears Published Wednesday, September 5, 2007
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UT-Martin continues to rely on defense
Lyndal Scranton
News-Leader
Defense was the name of the game for Tennessee-Martin's football team a year ago and it could be again.
That's even with a major makeover of a unit that led the Ohio Valley Conference in defense and was No. 6 in the Football Championship Subdivision.
"We lost seven starters, but physically we're bigger, faster and stronger than our defense last year," Skyhawks coach Jason Simpson said. "This defense has more athletes.
"The biggest difference is playing experience. Maturity and playing together."
Missouri State coach Terry Allen worries that UTM's defense is mature enough to frustrate his Bears when the teams meet Thursday.
"They throw every look known to mankind at you," Allen said. "They really like to blitz. It really presents a challenge for us."
The Skyhawks rode their defense to the school's first Ohio Valley Conference championship and FCS playoff berth last season.
Sophomore cornerback Dontrell Miller, one of the four returning starters, is the OVC player of the week. He made 11 tackles and forced a fumble in a 35-13 season-opening loss at Southern Mississippi.
The Skyhawks led 6-0 after one quarter and trailed only 14-6 at halftime. Simpson said Southern Mississippi's depth won out in the second half.
"We held on as long as we could," he said. "Ultimately their size and strength kind of wore us down."
The offense revolves around senior tailback Don Chapman. He has 3,912 career rushing yards, 122 away from the school record.
Chapman had only 20 yards in the opener, though Simpson hardly blames him.
"We didn't give him too many holes to run through," Simpson said.
"He's a running back with great vision. He's bigger than he's ever been, 210 pounds, and that gives him a little more power. He also probably has a little more explosion than he did last year."
Like Missouri State, UTM will use two quarterbacks — starter Dexter Anoka and South Carolina transfer Cade Thompson.
Simpson said he knows little about Missouri State other than it has a lot of newcomers on both offense and defense.
The biggest concern might be the Bears' extra preparation time. Missouri State has a week between games and UTM didn't return from Southern Mississippi until 5 a.m. Sunday.
"Luckily with Labor Day we had no classes and we were able to get going and catch up a bit," Simpson said. "And fortunately, we're at home."
The reason this game is on Thursday is because it's part of the weeklong Tennessee Soybean Festival. Festivities are held each day with parades and concerts dominating Saturday's activities in Martin, Tenn.
"Traditionally they've tried to play a home football game on Thursday so they can tie it into the community activities," Simpson said.
E-mail this story Printer-friendly page Subscribe now
UT-Martin continues to rely on defense
Lyndal Scranton
News-Leader
Defense was the name of the game for Tennessee-Martin's football team a year ago and it could be again.
That's even with a major makeover of a unit that led the Ohio Valley Conference in defense and was No. 6 in the Football Championship Subdivision.
"We lost seven starters, but physically we're bigger, faster and stronger than our defense last year," Skyhawks coach Jason Simpson said. "This defense has more athletes.
"The biggest difference is playing experience. Maturity and playing together."
Missouri State coach Terry Allen worries that UTM's defense is mature enough to frustrate his Bears when the teams meet Thursday.
"They throw every look known to mankind at you," Allen said. "They really like to blitz. It really presents a challenge for us."
The Skyhawks rode their defense to the school's first Ohio Valley Conference championship and FCS playoff berth last season.
Sophomore cornerback Dontrell Miller, one of the four returning starters, is the OVC player of the week. He made 11 tackles and forced a fumble in a 35-13 season-opening loss at Southern Mississippi.
The Skyhawks led 6-0 after one quarter and trailed only 14-6 at halftime. Simpson said Southern Mississippi's depth won out in the second half.
"We held on as long as we could," he said. "Ultimately their size and strength kind of wore us down."
The offense revolves around senior tailback Don Chapman. He has 3,912 career rushing yards, 122 away from the school record.
Chapman had only 20 yards in the opener, though Simpson hardly blames him.
"We didn't give him too many holes to run through," Simpson said.
"He's a running back with great vision. He's bigger than he's ever been, 210 pounds, and that gives him a little more power. He also probably has a little more explosion than he did last year."
Like Missouri State, UTM will use two quarterbacks — starter Dexter Anoka and South Carolina transfer Cade Thompson.
Simpson said he knows little about Missouri State other than it has a lot of newcomers on both offense and defense.
The biggest concern might be the Bears' extra preparation time. Missouri State has a week between games and UTM didn't return from Southern Mississippi until 5 a.m. Sunday.
"Luckily with Labor Day we had no classes and we were able to get going and catch up a bit," Simpson said. "And fortunately, we're at home."
The reason this game is on Thursday is because it's part of the weeklong Tennessee Soybean Festival. Festivities are held each day with parades and concerts dominating Saturday's activities in Martin, Tenn.
"Traditionally they've tried to play a home football game on Thursday so they can tie it into the community activities," Simpson said.