Saluki D-line a key factor in flurry of interceptions
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois intercepted SEMO quarterback Braylan Ragland four times during the second half of Saturday’s comeback win, and much of the credit goes to SIU’s defensive line for the pressure it applied.
The Saluki D-line picked up four sacks on the night — one each by Ibrahim Sanogo, Amir Dwight, Cam Miller and Lukus McDaniels. There were also 15 total pressures on 50 pass plays, for an impressive pressure rate of 30 percent.
“It’s been a hot topic for us of finding ways to get more pressure on the quarterback,” said defensive coordinator Lee Pronschinske. “The D-line did a really good job of getting home, putting pressure in his face, not just the sacks but the hits. There was one that lingered a little bit and the backup quarterback had to start throwing. After that is when we were able to rattle off the picks.”
The beneficiaries of the pressure were cornerbacks Sebastian Vargas and Gavin Shepard, and linebackers David Obadein and Charlie Whelpley, who each had one interception.
StrongDawgs conversation with Defensive Coordinator Lee Pronschinske
SD: You’ve talked about how getting three-straight stops in a game dramatically improves your odds of winning. On Saturday, the defense finished the game with six-straight stops, and that allowed the offense to take advantage.
LP: That's what Coach Hill preaches — resilience and complimentary football. There's going to be moments where all three phases have to pick each other up or keep swinging until one side of the ball finds their mojo. That was not our brand of defensive football early in the game, allowing that explosive touchdown, but I was really proud of how our guys dug-in and found ways to get the momentum back.
SD: There was a key stop in the second quarter, as well. SEMO had converted a 4th-and-1 inside the 10, yet the defense was able to force a field goal and keep it a one-score game, 13-7.
LP: That was a sudden change drive for us, too, with the offense starting on the +31. For some units, it can be deflating, especially how some of the half had went. When you get down there inside the 10, a lot of it turns into just grown-man football. It’s winning one-on-one blocks. With the quarterback run, teams are going to get +1 with the hats. So if one guy misses a gap, it usually results in a touchdown.
SD: You were able to get heavy pressure on the QB with minimal blitzing — four sacks, 15 total pressures. How much of the four interceptions was due to the pressure vs. your ability to drop seven guys back in coverage?
LP: It’s a combination of the two, but mostly the pressure we were able to get on the quarterback with a four-man rush. It's been a hot topic for us of finding ways to get more pressure on the quarterback. The D-line did a really good job of getting home, putting pressure in his face, not just the sacks but the hits. There was one that lingered a little bit and the backup quarterback had to start throwing. After that is when we were able to rattle off the picks.
There were some times that the pressure bailed us out in the back-end, where we might not have been sticky enough in coverage. Then a couple of those picks were just high-effort. Bash (Sebastian Vargas) did a really good job going and finding the ball. Gavin (Shepard) was in the right place when pressure got home and forced an overthrow. (David) Obadein’s pick was straight hustle and relentless pursuit of the football, with the hit by Beemer (Andrew Behm) to get that ball popped up. The reason D.O. makes that play is because he's hustling his butt off to the ball. Same thing with Charlie (Whelpley) on that last one. The game sure as heck wasn't over, because if they find a way to get in the end zone with 15 seconds left, now you're looking at an onside kick. Heaven forbid they recover, and now you're looking at a Hail Mary situation.
SD: On Obadein’s interception, you dropped Behm into deep-middle coverage, and he was able to break up the pass. That Tampa 2 look was perfectly timed and executed.
LP: We’re are a team that still plays a little Tampa 2 defense. It's kind of phasing out of football a little bit, but we felt that was a moment within the drive that they would take a shot. We really like our cover-downs versus vertical shots. Credit not just to Beemer and David, but Vinny (Pierre Jr.) also in a spot to make a big-time hit on that wide receiver. Beemer's done a really good job in his deep middle run, as we call it, in Tampa 2
SD: Vargas had the interception and a breakup, and Naz Hill had a key breakup on a deep ball. How do you like the production you’re getting from your backup corners?
LP: Yes, and not just those two guys, but across the board on defense on Saturday night. We defended 15 drives total, and that's quite a bit in today's modern college football. It was the most snaps we defended all year. The depth continues to show up in a really good way. Naz has played some of his best football, winning another one-on-one opportunity down the sideline. Bash made a high-IQ play on the interception. The defensive line filtered through a lot of guys, kept people fresh. Jaden (Hudgins) really popped on tape, and Max Bremer did a really good job. Cam Miller probably had one of his best games and got his first sack as a Saluki. It was fun to see those guys, in crucial moments, go out there and execute.
SD: Saturday will mark the 29th career start for Illinois QB Katin Houser. He’s completing 71 percent of his passes this season with six TDs and only one interception. What challenge does he present for your defense?
LP: At East Carolina, they had a coaching change during the year and he took over and went 5-2 down the stretch and got the interim guy the head job. The next year they go 8-4. He has 65 career touchdowns and is probably going to hit the 7,000 career-passing yard mark on Saturday. He's only like 110 yards away, so this is a very productive quarterback. He's a pocket quarterback who's got a lively arm, does a really good job in his reads, gets the ball out fast. He's a very capable runner, so the talent is clearly there.
SD: Collin Dixon is having a breakout season at wide receiver with 17 catches, five TDs. What are some things you can do to slow down a guy who’s having that kind of production?
LP: Guys like that are gonna get their targets. They're gonna win some one-on-one battles. We talk about one-on-one opportunities. We want to win 60 percent of them. That's an elite clip if you can win 60 percent. They do a really good job schematically of finding ways to get their playmakers the ball. We need to limit the explosives, limit the double-moves they're really good at. He's dynamic, and we need to give him different looks to try to get them to share the ball a little bit more, but he's going to find ways to touch the ball.
SD: You have the No. 19 run defense in the FCS, but facing a Big Ten run-game is a unique challenge, isn’t it.
LP: You look at both Ca’Lil Valentine and Aidan Laughery — those are two high-end Big Ten running backs. You gotta be physical at the point of attack and keep them contained. They're both patient runners. Valentine finds a little daylight, hits it, gets vertical, erases angles. He's extremely dynamic. You can see him coming into his own. Laughery just does it all. He's physical, does a really good job in pass protection, does a great job of catching the ball out of the backfield. They're both home-run threats any time they touch the football. With both those guys, it’s about eliminating their yards after contact. We have to continue to clean up our tackling, clean up our angles, make sure we're taking shots with proper leverage.
SD: Big Ten opponent, in-state powerhouse, and an underdog role for SIU. What mindset would you like to see from your defense on Saturday?
LP: A team coached by Bret Bielema is going to be a physical, hard-nosed, nasty in a good way, football team that's going to run the ball, take some shots, try to move people off the ball. It’s exciting to have another opportunity to make improvements. We’re focused on fine-tuning our process, doing the little things right, making sure our practice techniques and execution stay at a high level, so when we perform on Saturday, it's like practice to us. I firmly believe we haven't touched the base of what this group can really do. This is a group that wants to play elite level defense, so you want to play good opponents. You want to have a challenge. Maybe the outside doesn't think you can do it, and that's just fuel for the fire.
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