Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
FEATURE: Putting the "D" in Dawgs
October 08, 2020 | Football, HailStateBEAT
Mississippi State's defense has stood tall through two games in 2020
STARKVILLE – One thing is for certain, Mississippi State defensive coordinator Zach Arnett will give credit where it is due, but he will also be critical of his defense when it is warranted.
Following the Bulldogs season-opening victory over the defending national champions, fans were heaping praise on the defense for holding strong against a talented LSU offense. Arnett, however, wasn't buying into the hype.
"That's not nearly as good as we want to be on that side of the ball," Arnett told the media following the week one victory.
His straight-forward style showed in practice leading up to the meeting with Arkansas and the Dawg defense responded by allowing just 14 points and 275 yards of total offense to the Razorback offense.
Arnett hasn't relented this week heading into a meetint with Kentucky and senior defensive lineman Kobe Jones knows that is how Arnett will get the most out of his pupils.
"If we need a little bit of energy, he can be that for us," Jones said, "but he is a straight-to-the-point guy and he knows how to get his message across."
And, so far in 2020, that message is working.
Mississippi State has forced four turnovers in the first two games and is one of just seven FBS units to not allow a rushing touchdown. Overall, State's defense has been stout against the run, ranking No. 6 nationally with just 71.5 yards rushing allowed per game.
In two games, the Maroon and White have surrendered just 21.0 adjusted points per game – not factoring in the two defensive touchdowns scored by their opponents – which sits No. 21 nationally. The group also sits among the FBS top 25 in sacks (3rd), third-down defense (17th), total defense (19th) and first downs allowed (19th).
Much of that starts with the defensive line, which entered the season as State's most experienced group.
"Our defensive front is the most experienced group we have on our side of the ball," said Arnett. "Most good defenses are led by a strong defensive front and the credit goes to those guys. They put in the time to learn their assignments and put in the physical work to get ready to play.
"We need them to play well and generate pressure and cause some havoc, because we are young on the backend, and those guys have done a good job of that, so far."
That pressure from the defensive line has produced the No. 19 graded pass rush per Pro Football Focus and helped a young backend sit as the No. 24 graded coverage unit.
Those rankings are great, but the veterans on the defense continue to preach preparation to the younger Bulldogs.
"[We continue to tell everyone] You have to trust the process," said Jones, "It is a long season and you really have to take it one week at a time. [The loss to Arkansas] was a humbling experience and we are confident in the players we have, but we have to keep the right perspective and focus on one opponent at a time."
While focusing on one opponent at a time is key, the Dawg defense must also continue to perfect the new scheme that Arnett brought to Starkville.
"Coach Arnett's defense is built on pressure and causing disruption in what the offense wants to do," said defensive line coach Jeff Phelps. "You are trying to collapse gaps by using movement...one guy comes crashing down and another comes looping around and he becomes a free rusher. That mentality translates into applying pressure and that is exciting."
The scheme is built more around attacking gaps, rather than focusing on just beating the man in front of you. It is also build around trust in the personnel around you.
"Our base defense is to bring pressure," Arnett said. "We want to cause disruption and trust that the guys around you will fill in and make plays. We try to cut our defensive linemen loose to get into the back field and mess up what the offense is trying to do."
Right now, though, the focus is squarely on the next opponent and what the defense can do this Saturday to stop the Kentucky offense.
"We have to be ready for this week," said sophomore defensive lineman Nathan Pickering. "Kentucky has a really physical offensive line and we better keep our pad level low, fire off the ball and be ready to be physical up front."
Following the Bulldogs season-opening victory over the defending national champions, fans were heaping praise on the defense for holding strong against a talented LSU offense. Arnett, however, wasn't buying into the hype.
"That's not nearly as good as we want to be on that side of the ball," Arnett told the media following the week one victory.
His straight-forward style showed in practice leading up to the meeting with Arkansas and the Dawg defense responded by allowing just 14 points and 275 yards of total offense to the Razorback offense.
Arnett hasn't relented this week heading into a meetint with Kentucky and senior defensive lineman Kobe Jones knows that is how Arnett will get the most out of his pupils.
"If we need a little bit of energy, he can be that for us," Jones said, "but he is a straight-to-the-point guy and he knows how to get his message across."
And, so far in 2020, that message is working.
Mississippi State has forced four turnovers in the first two games and is one of just seven FBS units to not allow a rushing touchdown. Overall, State's defense has been stout against the run, ranking No. 6 nationally with just 71.5 yards rushing allowed per game.
In two games, the Maroon and White have surrendered just 21.0 adjusted points per game – not factoring in the two defensive touchdowns scored by their opponents – which sits No. 21 nationally. The group also sits among the FBS top 25 in sacks (3rd), third-down defense (17th), total defense (19th) and first downs allowed (19th).
Much of that starts with the defensive line, which entered the season as State's most experienced group.
"Our defensive front is the most experienced group we have on our side of the ball," said Arnett. "Most good defenses are led by a strong defensive front and the credit goes to those guys. They put in the time to learn their assignments and put in the physical work to get ready to play.
"We need them to play well and generate pressure and cause some havoc, because we are young on the backend, and those guys have done a good job of that, so far."
That pressure from the defensive line has produced the No. 19 graded pass rush per Pro Football Focus and helped a young backend sit as the No. 24 graded coverage unit.
Those rankings are great, but the veterans on the defense continue to preach preparation to the younger Bulldogs.
"[We continue to tell everyone] You have to trust the process," said Jones, "It is a long season and you really have to take it one week at a time. [The loss to Arkansas] was a humbling experience and we are confident in the players we have, but we have to keep the right perspective and focus on one opponent at a time."
While focusing on one opponent at a time is key, the Dawg defense must also continue to perfect the new scheme that Arnett brought to Starkville.
"Coach Arnett's defense is built on pressure and causing disruption in what the offense wants to do," said defensive line coach Jeff Phelps. "You are trying to collapse gaps by using movement...one guy comes crashing down and another comes looping around and he becomes a free rusher. That mentality translates into applying pressure and that is exciting."
The scheme is built more around attacking gaps, rather than focusing on just beating the man in front of you. It is also build around trust in the personnel around you.
"Our base defense is to bring pressure," Arnett said. "We want to cause disruption and trust that the guys around you will fill in and make plays. We try to cut our defensive linemen loose to get into the back field and mess up what the offense is trying to do."
Right now, though, the focus is squarely on the next opponent and what the defense can do this Saturday to stop the Kentucky offense.
"We have to be ready for this week," said sophomore defensive lineman Nathan Pickering. "Kentucky has a really physical offensive line and we better keep our pad level low, fire off the ball and be ready to be physical up front."
Players Mentioned
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