Saluki defenders focused on their “1/11” against Youngstown State’s high-powered offense
CARBONDALE, Ill. — One of the tenets of the Saluki defense is to "do your 1/11.” From the D-line to the back end of the secondary, each one of the 11 players on SIU’s defense locks-in on their role in trying to contain an opposing offense.
The axiom will be tested Saturday against No. 10-ranked Youngstown State, which averages nearly 40 points per game and is guided by dual-threat quarterback and reigning Payton Award winner Beau Brungard. The fifth-year QB leads the nation in points responsible for (122) through five games. He’s already thrown 13 touchdown passes and has seven TD runs for the Penguins (3-2, 1-1).
“As a defensive end, if you run up the field, you open up the inside gaps and he's just stepping up and running right through those and getting up the field,” explained Lukus McDaniels, who has 11 QB pressures this season for SIU. “So we want to try to condense the pocket and keep him in the pocket, keep him from getting outside.”
It will be easier said than done for the No. 21-ranked Salukis (3-2, 1-1). Last year, Brungard piled up 449 yards of offense against Southern Illinois, including 104 yards on the ground. To slow him down, all four defensive linemen need to be in sync with each other, according to defensive tackle Max Bremer.
“There’s four quadrants for the quarterback, and everybody on the defensive line has to attack one, otherwise he's got an open lane to escape,” said Bremer, a senior from nearby Massac County High School. “We have to stay gap-sound, maintain lane integrity and attack the quadrants.”
If Brungard escapes the pocket, bringing him down in the open field is the next challenge. Southern’s defense is coming off a season-low six missed tackles in the game at Murray State and the linebacker corps has been especially reliable this season.
“Coach Reb (Tom Rebholz) teaches us tackling drills every day, and we know we have to execute good fundamentals against (Brungard),” said linebacker Charlie Whelpley. “Just know that if you take a shot, you always have help inside and outside. You also have to remember that it’s not just Beau — every player on the team is a threat.”
Youngstown State wide receiver Lynn Wyche-El, a transfer from Division II Grand Valley State, leads the conference in touchdown catches with five. Three other Penguins have multiple TD catches.
The Salukis are second in the nation in interceptions with eight, and cornerback Sebastian Vargas Escobar has three of them. In addition to defending the pass, though, Southern’s secondary will need to be solid in run support.
“We can’t let Brungard get out the pocket and extend the plays,” Vargas Escobar said. “Keeping our eyes on the receivers is going to tell the whole story. If they take a quick peek, then he's probably running, so we got to go get him. I gotta go help support the tackle.”
The Salukis have experience defending a dual-threat QB because they go against an All-American in DJ Williams in practice every day.
“We've already had some experience scheming up against our offense and knowing how to stay gap-sound and contain the quadrants on a quarterback like DJ,” Bremer said.
The game kicks off at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Saluki Stadium and families can take advantage of a free-ticket opportunity. For every adult ticket purchased, fans can claim two free tickets for kids under 12.
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