Where is Heagle?

[EC8CH]

Drevlow, Perry, Leucke are gone....

This years DTs have done a great job stepping up, but we're just not as big strong and deep as we were last year in the defensive interior line. We are not owing the los like last year making it more difficult for the LBs and safeties coming up in run support.

That's what I see anyway.

[ZHerd]

This. We are not getting the penetration, push, and plays in the backfield like previous seasons. Next year these young guys will be better with experience etc. but I hope we can land a big athletic DT recruit who can step in immediately. We need help here

[X-Factor]

Next year we need Farnlof and Morgan to up their game in a big way if we are going to compete with Illinois State for the MVFC crown, and even put some pressure on the current starters. As for the defensive ends, it's going to be Ambrosius and Menard, then after that ????

As for right now in the semifinal and hopefully the chipper; I think they figured something out in the 4th quarter yesterday. That should play into the gameplan for Sammy. Heagle should be playing in the box since Sammy isn't going to be a big passing threat. Stop the run and the game is over. The Bison need to play contain on passing downs and now blast upfield with the defensive ends. Easier said than done. Sammy just isn't going to beat us throwing the ball (like they did to Villanova) so there is no point in sacrificing the run defense to help out the pass rush.

[unbison]

This. We are not getting the penetration, push, and plays in the backfield like previous seasons. Next year these young guys will be better with experience etc. but I hope we can land a big athletic DT recruit who can step in immediately. We need help here

Appreciate your take but landing a interior dline that can contribute immediately is as likely as a true freshman starting on the oline these guys are made in their redshirt year

[MontBison]

Crazy thought but they had Dempsey playing some safety early in the year. I wonder if they'd ever consider playing heags at his safety position in there base and then when they play nickel bring in Dempsey and put him back in the safety spot and bring heagle up to play corner just to get him closer to the LOS.

[BisonHorns]

It seemed like the defense was muscling their way to the quarterback and then in the 4th they worked smarter and got to him.

[Bison 4 Life]

Simple answer? Travis Beck got hurt. The effects are numerous. Especially in coverage schemes.

We can't keep going to that excuse. There needs to be some game planning as described above to let our athleticism get loose.

[Bison Bridge Guy]

We can't keep going to that excuse. There needs to be some game planning as described above to let our athleticism get loose.

I think Heagle and Dudzik are a little worn out. The have played a lot of football and made a lot of hits and tackles over the years. Is it possible to rotate someone in (Board?) once in a while? Kid can hit. Limited experience of course.

[Bisonator98]

Well if I was the coach I'd put Dempsey in at safety and move Heagle to LB. He's a much better tackler then Thornton IMO. Thornton has been out of position/missed too many tackles as of late.

[KyleK]

Well if I was the coach I'd put Dempsey in at safety and move Heagle to LB. He's a much better tackler then Thornton IMO. Thornton has been out of position/missed too many tackles as of late.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Agreed