Photo by: Austin Perryman/MSU Athletics
Notebook: D-line Continues Dominance
September 13, 2021 | Football
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State lost two-thirds of its defensive line to graduation last year but doesn't seem to have missed a beat.
Marquiss Spencer and Kobe Jones both moved on to the NFL leaving Jaden Crumedy as the lone starter returning to the D-line. However, Randy Charlton and Cameron Young have settled in quite nicely in their roles as first-time starters.
"Those guys last year were a great example for the guys this year," said MSU head coach Mike Leach. "A lot of that has carried over. Some of them this year are guys that we saw doing a lot of good things here to begin with. In other words, within our team we knew they were going to be good, but they hadn't played a lot yet…
"On the outside, some people are surprised. We're not by several of them. We are pleased, but not surprised."
The defensive line has played a huge part in both of the Bulldogs' victories, accumulating four tackles for loss, three sacks, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
In last weekend's win, the defensive line helped hold a potent NC State rushing attack that had two backs chew up over 100 yards in the season opener to only 32 yards on the ground. Charlton, Crumedy and Aaron Odom all recorded sacks with Odom also forcing a fumble on his quarterback hit.
"It is huge," Leach said. "You have to have your D-Line affect the backfield; the quarterback and the running back. I think that's important. You're not going to win many games if you don't."
INTERCHANGEABLE RB'S
The Bulldogs have a solid 1-2 punch in their backfield in sophomores Jo'quavious Marks and Dillon Johnson.
Both backs do a good job complimenting the others' strengths and Leach feels comfortable having either of them on the field in any situation.
"What is really strong about them is that they are interchangeable," Leach said. "Dillon is bigger and has a little more power. Woody's (Marks) got plenty of power as well. I think 'Woody' is a little smoother catching the ball. Dillon just got done catching a ball that he laid out for, so they are both good out of the backfield.
"They both block well. They are both pretty consistent. I say consistency, slight edge Woody, but blowing a guy up slight edge Dillon. But both will do that. 'Woody' has had some devastating hits on people too."
Marks and Johnson have both eclipsed the century mark in total offense in the first two weeks. Marks has rushed 18 times for 82 yards, caught 16 passes for 55 yards and scored three times while Johnson has carried eight times for 30 yards and caught nine passes for 84 yards.
In 25 combined carries this season, Marks and Johnson have only been stopped behind the line of scrimmage once for a loss of just a yard.
ROAD LEADS TO MEMPHIS
MSU hits the road for the first time this weekend travelling just across the state's northern border to take on Memphis on Saturday at 3 p.m. on ESPN2.
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium has been kind to the Bulldogs over the years. MSU is 14-5 all-time against the Tigers since the venue opened in 1965, with the Bulldogs currently riding an eight-game road winning streak there.
State is also 2-1 in postseason play there, claiming wins in the 2007 and 2013 Liberty Bowls against Central Florida and Rice respectively. The Bulldogs' last loss in that stadium was to Air Force in the 1991 Liberty Bowl.
Mississippi State has not lost to Memphis on the road since Oct. 1, 1988.
Marquiss Spencer and Kobe Jones both moved on to the NFL leaving Jaden Crumedy as the lone starter returning to the D-line. However, Randy Charlton and Cameron Young have settled in quite nicely in their roles as first-time starters.
"Those guys last year were a great example for the guys this year," said MSU head coach Mike Leach. "A lot of that has carried over. Some of them this year are guys that we saw doing a lot of good things here to begin with. In other words, within our team we knew they were going to be good, but they hadn't played a lot yet…
"On the outside, some people are surprised. We're not by several of them. We are pleased, but not surprised."
The defensive line has played a huge part in both of the Bulldogs' victories, accumulating four tackles for loss, three sacks, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
In last weekend's win, the defensive line helped hold a potent NC State rushing attack that had two backs chew up over 100 yards in the season opener to only 32 yards on the ground. Charlton, Crumedy and Aaron Odom all recorded sacks with Odom also forcing a fumble on his quarterback hit.
"It is huge," Leach said. "You have to have your D-Line affect the backfield; the quarterback and the running back. I think that's important. You're not going to win many games if you don't."
INTERCHANGEABLE RB'S
The Bulldogs have a solid 1-2 punch in their backfield in sophomores Jo'quavious Marks and Dillon Johnson.
Both backs do a good job complimenting the others' strengths and Leach feels comfortable having either of them on the field in any situation.
"What is really strong about them is that they are interchangeable," Leach said. "Dillon is bigger and has a little more power. Woody's (Marks) got plenty of power as well. I think 'Woody' is a little smoother catching the ball. Dillon just got done catching a ball that he laid out for, so they are both good out of the backfield.
"They both block well. They are both pretty consistent. I say consistency, slight edge Woody, but blowing a guy up slight edge Dillon. But both will do that. 'Woody' has had some devastating hits on people too."
Marks and Johnson have both eclipsed the century mark in total offense in the first two weeks. Marks has rushed 18 times for 82 yards, caught 16 passes for 55 yards and scored three times while Johnson has carried eight times for 30 yards and caught nine passes for 84 yards.
In 25 combined carries this season, Marks and Johnson have only been stopped behind the line of scrimmage once for a loss of just a yard.
ROAD LEADS TO MEMPHIS
MSU hits the road for the first time this weekend travelling just across the state's northern border to take on Memphis on Saturday at 3 p.m. on ESPN2.
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium has been kind to the Bulldogs over the years. MSU is 14-5 all-time against the Tigers since the venue opened in 1965, with the Bulldogs currently riding an eight-game road winning streak there.
State is also 2-1 in postseason play there, claiming wins in the 2007 and 2013 Liberty Bowls against Central Florida and Rice respectively. The Bulldogs' last loss in that stadium was to Air Force in the 1991 Liberty Bowl.
Mississippi State has not lost to Memphis on the road since Oct. 1, 1988.
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