Bob Shoop's unit leads all Power 5 teams in scoring defense, allowing only 12.3 points per game.
Shoop Among The Nation's Best Assistants as Broyles Award Nominee
November 07, 2018 | Football
by Bill Martin, Associate Athletic Director/Communications
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Bob Shoop's Mississippi State defense ranks first in the Southeastern Conference in 11 defensive categories. On Wednesday, the first-year Bulldog defensive coordinator was recognized for his efforts as one of 53 nominees for the 2018 Broyles Award, which honors college football's top assistant coach.
The Broyles Award selection process includes the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), a college football hall-of-fame selection committee and current college head coaches. Eight nominees are from the SEC.
Shoop's defensive unit has allowed the fewest touchdowns in the nation (9), and they rank second in the FBS in scoring defense (12.3 ppg) behind only UAB (12.1). The Bulldogs have issued just two touchdowns in opponents' last 51 possessions dating back to the third quarter of the Sept. 29 Florida game. One of those scores came on a three-yard drive following an MSU turnover.
The Bulldogs lead the SEC and rank sixth nationally in total defense, surrendering 278.7 yards per game. Offenses are averaging just 4.3 yards per play against MSU, which is tops in the SEC and fifth in the FBS. In addition, no defensive unit in the nation has been better at preventing touchdowns in the redzone. The Bulldogs have allowed only five touchdowns on 23 attempts for a 21.7 percentage that is the best in college football.
From a historical perspective, Shoop's defense is one of the greatest in the 119-year history of the program. The 12.3 points per game allowed is the best at MSU since the 1963 squad issued 8.2, while the total defense figure is the best in Starkville since the 1999 team issued 222.5 yards per game.
Shoop's squad has achieved it against outstanding competition. Five out of MSU's last six opponents have either been ranked at the time of the meeting or they are currently ranked. The Bulldogs continue their challenging slate at 2:30 p.m. Saturday when they travel to top-ranked Alabama in a game that will be televised by CBS.
Shoop, an Oakmont, Pennsylvania, native is in his 16th season as a defensive coordinator and sixth in the SEC. He has coordinated units to Top 25 national rankings in total defense in six out of the last eight years.
A 19-member selection committee of distinguished former head coaches, along with a committee representing the FWAA will select 15 semifinalists and five finalists from the list of nominees and an overall winner. Those finalists will be invited to travel to Little Rock where the 2018 Broyles Award winner will be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at the Marriott Hotel.
2018 Broyles Award Nominees
Alabama - Michael Locksley, Offensive Coordinator
Alabama Birmingham - David Reeves, Defensive Coordinator
Appalachian State - Bryan Brown, Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks
Arizona State - Danny Gonzales, Defensive Coordinator
Arkansas State - Norval McKenzie, Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs
Army - Jay Bateman, Defensive Coordinator
Auburn - Larry Porter, Special Teams Coordinator
Boise State - Zak Hill, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
BYU - Ed Lamb, Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers
Buffalo - Brian Borland, Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
California - Tim DeRuyter, Defensive Coordinator/Outside Linebackers
Central Florida - Glen Elarbee, Offensive Line
Cincinnati - Marcus Freeman, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Clemson - Jeff Scott, Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers
Coastal Carolina - Jamey Chadwell, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Duke - Matt Guerrieri, Co-Defensive Coordinator
Eastern Michigan - Neal Neathery, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
Fresno State - Bert Watts, Defensive Coordinator
Georgia - Sam Pittman, Offensive Line
Georgia Southern - Scot Sloan, Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
Houston - Kendal Briles, Offensive Coordinator/Quaterbacks
Indiana - Mike Hart, Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs
Iowa - Phil Parker, Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
Iowa State - Tyson Veidt, Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers
Kentucky - Matt House, Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers
LSU - Dave Aranda, Defensive Coordinator
Memphis - Ryan Silverfield, Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator
Miami - Manny Diaz, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Michigan - Don Brown, Defensive Coordinator
Michigan State - Mike Tressel, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Mississippi State - Bob Shoop, Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
Missouri - Brick Haley, Defensive Line
Nebraska - Mario Verduzco, Quarterbacks
North Carolina State - Eliah Drinkwitz, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
North Texas - Graham Harrell, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Northwestern - Mike Hankwitz, Defensive Coordinator
Notre Dame - Chip Long, Offensive Coordinator
Ohio State - Ryan Day, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Oklahoma - Bill Bedenbaugh, Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
Southern Methodist - Kevin Kane, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
South Carolina - Eric Wolford, Offensive Line
Syracuse - Justin Lustig, Special Teams Coordinator/Wide Receivers
Temple - Chris Wiesehan, Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator
Texas Tech - Adam Scheier, Special Teams Coordinator
Toledo - Robby Discher, Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends
Troy - Bam Hardmon, Inside Linebackers
USC - Johnny Nansen, Assistant Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
Utah - Morgan Scalley, Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
Utah State - David Yost, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Wake Forest - Kevin Higgins, Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers
Washington State - Tracy Claeys, Defensive Coordinator
West Virginia - Jake Spavital, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Wisconsin - Joe Rudolph, Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Bob Shoop's Mississippi State defense ranks first in the Southeastern Conference in 11 defensive categories. On Wednesday, the first-year Bulldog defensive coordinator was recognized for his efforts as one of 53 nominees for the 2018 Broyles Award, which honors college football's top assistant coach.
The Broyles Award selection process includes the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), a college football hall-of-fame selection committee and current college head coaches. Eight nominees are from the SEC.
Shoop's defensive unit has allowed the fewest touchdowns in the nation (9), and they rank second in the FBS in scoring defense (12.3 ppg) behind only UAB (12.1). The Bulldogs have issued just two touchdowns in opponents' last 51 possessions dating back to the third quarter of the Sept. 29 Florida game. One of those scores came on a three-yard drive following an MSU turnover.
The Bulldogs lead the SEC and rank sixth nationally in total defense, surrendering 278.7 yards per game. Offenses are averaging just 4.3 yards per play against MSU, which is tops in the SEC and fifth in the FBS. In addition, no defensive unit in the nation has been better at preventing touchdowns in the redzone. The Bulldogs have allowed only five touchdowns on 23 attempts for a 21.7 percentage that is the best in college football.
From a historical perspective, Shoop's defense is one of the greatest in the 119-year history of the program. The 12.3 points per game allowed is the best at MSU since the 1963 squad issued 8.2, while the total defense figure is the best in Starkville since the 1999 team issued 222.5 yards per game.
Shoop's squad has achieved it against outstanding competition. Five out of MSU's last six opponents have either been ranked at the time of the meeting or they are currently ranked. The Bulldogs continue their challenging slate at 2:30 p.m. Saturday when they travel to top-ranked Alabama in a game that will be televised by CBS.
Shoop, an Oakmont, Pennsylvania, native is in his 16th season as a defensive coordinator and sixth in the SEC. He has coordinated units to Top 25 national rankings in total defense in six out of the last eight years.
A 19-member selection committee of distinguished former head coaches, along with a committee representing the FWAA will select 15 semifinalists and five finalists from the list of nominees and an overall winner. Those finalists will be invited to travel to Little Rock where the 2018 Broyles Award winner will be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at the Marriott Hotel.
| Category | MSU | FBS Rank | SEC Rank |
| Scoring Defense | 12.3 | T2nd | 1st |
| TD Allowed | 9 | 1st | 1st |
| Points Allowed | 111 | T2nd | 1st |
| Rushing Defense | 111.4 | 18th | 3rd |
| Yards/Carry Allowed | 3.3 | 19th | 3rd |
| Rushing TD Allowed | 5 | T3rd | T2nd |
| Passing Defense | 167.2 | 7th | 1st |
| Yards/Attempt Allowed | 5.4 | 5th | 1st |
| Passing TD Allowed | 4 | T1st | 1st |
| Opponent Passer Rating | 97.4 | 4th | 1st |
| Total Defense | 278.7 | 6th | 1st |
| Yards/Play Allowed | 4.3 | 5th | 1st |
| Opp. 3rd Down Conv. | 29.1 | 9th | 2nd |
| Opp. Red Zone TD% | 21.7 | 1st | 1st |
| Opp. Red Zone TD | 5 | 1st | 1st |
| Tackles For Loss | 66 | 22nd | 4th |
2018 Broyles Award Nominees
Alabama - Michael Locksley, Offensive Coordinator
Alabama Birmingham - David Reeves, Defensive Coordinator
Appalachian State - Bryan Brown, Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks
Arizona State - Danny Gonzales, Defensive Coordinator
Arkansas State - Norval McKenzie, Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs
Army - Jay Bateman, Defensive Coordinator
Auburn - Larry Porter, Special Teams Coordinator
Boise State - Zak Hill, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
BYU - Ed Lamb, Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers
Buffalo - Brian Borland, Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
California - Tim DeRuyter, Defensive Coordinator/Outside Linebackers
Central Florida - Glen Elarbee, Offensive Line
Cincinnati - Marcus Freeman, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Clemson - Jeff Scott, Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers
Coastal Carolina - Jamey Chadwell, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Duke - Matt Guerrieri, Co-Defensive Coordinator
Eastern Michigan - Neal Neathery, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
Fresno State - Bert Watts, Defensive Coordinator
Georgia - Sam Pittman, Offensive Line
Georgia Southern - Scot Sloan, Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
Houston - Kendal Briles, Offensive Coordinator/Quaterbacks
Indiana - Mike Hart, Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs
Iowa - Phil Parker, Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
Iowa State - Tyson Veidt, Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers
Kentucky - Matt House, Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers
LSU - Dave Aranda, Defensive Coordinator
Memphis - Ryan Silverfield, Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator
Miami - Manny Diaz, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Michigan - Don Brown, Defensive Coordinator
Michigan State - Mike Tressel, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Mississippi State - Bob Shoop, Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
Missouri - Brick Haley, Defensive Line
Nebraska - Mario Verduzco, Quarterbacks
North Carolina State - Eliah Drinkwitz, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
North Texas - Graham Harrell, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Northwestern - Mike Hankwitz, Defensive Coordinator
Notre Dame - Chip Long, Offensive Coordinator
Ohio State - Ryan Day, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Oklahoma - Bill Bedenbaugh, Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
Southern Methodist - Kevin Kane, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
South Carolina - Eric Wolford, Offensive Line
Syracuse - Justin Lustig, Special Teams Coordinator/Wide Receivers
Temple - Chris Wiesehan, Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator
Texas Tech - Adam Scheier, Special Teams Coordinator
Toledo - Robby Discher, Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends
Troy - Bam Hardmon, Inside Linebackers
USC - Johnny Nansen, Assistant Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
Utah - Morgan Scalley, Defensive Coordinator/Safeties
Utah State - David Yost, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Wake Forest - Kevin Higgins, Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers
Washington State - Tracy Claeys, Defensive Coordinator
West Virginia - Jake Spavital, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Wisconsin - Joe Rudolph, Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
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