Pass rush struggles continue in 2011

Freshmen Michael Amaefula and Ben Perry have been thrust into starting roles.

Published: 2011-10-04


Adam Richard

arichard@mndaily.com


The Gophers’ defense has been terrible this season.

Minnesota has given up an average of almost five yards per carry on the ground and eight rushing touchdowns, while also allowing a completion rate of nearly 70 percent and 11 passing touchdowns.

Such poor defensive play has been a problem all season, and was on full display in the Gophers’ 58-0 loss at Michigan on Saturday.

A portion of the team’s defensive ineptitude has been its lack of pass rush. Last year, Minnesota was the worst pass rushing team in the nation with eight sacks. This year, the Gophers have two sacks through five games.

The two bookends on the Gophers’ defensive line are Texas natives Michael Amaefula and Ben Perry.

The 6-foot-2-inch, 235-pound Amaefula and the 6-foot-5-inch, 241-pound Perry are the only freshman defensive end combination in the Big Ten.

Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys chose to start these two together before the team’s 29-23 win over Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 17.

“They don’t have any choice,” Claeys said. “They don’t know any better, with freshmen being how young they are. They give us the best opportunity to win.”

Amaefula sacked Miami (Ohio) quarterback Zac Dysert in the Gophers’ only win of the season.

“It felt good,” Amaefula said. “It wasn’t only me — there was pressure on the other side [of the line].”

Amaefula and Perry aren’t alone on the defensive line. They have two senior defensive tackles in Anthony Jacobs and Brandon Kirksey.

Jacobs and Kirksey have taken the task of grooming the freshmen to help them succeed in the future.

“We sweat together. I don’t think of them as freshmen. They’ve got to learn,” Kirksey said. “They look up to me. I try to be an older brother figure.”

The Gophers’ defensive line has failed to create pressure against its opponents this year. It has allowed 782 yards on the ground, including 363 against Michigan last week, and zero quarterback hurries on the year.

Part of the problem is size — the line is often overmatched against older, bigger and stronger offensive linemen. Against Michigan, they matched up against two tackles that averaged 6-foot-7-inches and 300 pounds.

The rest of the Gophers’ Big Ten schedule promises no let up in that regard.

With Amaefula, Perry, Jacobs and Kirksey starting, Minnesota’s defense will have a tall task ahead of them in 2011. As the freshmen continue to develop their pass rush technique and add size and strength, improvement should follow.

Amaefula and Perry have a long way to go, but their development will be key for Minnesota and its defense to salvage the season.

Their experience now may also help to stimulate their growth and incite improvement for future years.



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ARTICLE URL: http://www.mndaily.com/2011/10/04/pass-rush-struggles-continue-2011

Mon Oct 10 2011