Defense returns eight starters from porous 2004 unit
With eight starters returning from last season, including the preseason Conference USA defensive player of the year, senior defensive end John Syptak, Rice’s defense will try to improve upon last season’s average of 34.3 points allowed per game.
Syptak, who recorded 15 tackles for a loss and eight sacks last season, will again start at end for the Owls.
Senior Rob Daniel should start opposite Syptak as the other defensive end, although junior Courtney Gordon and senior Thadis Pegues — both starters at least four times last season — should press for playing time. Head coach Ken Hatfield said Syptak’s presence will help the other defensive end.
“I [expect to see] a lot of double-teams [from opposing offenses] and attempts to negate John Syptak’s ability,” Hatfield said. “Other guys would then have some opportunities to make some big plays. Anytime you have two good defensive ends playing for you, you can keep the other team corralled so they don’t get outside on you for a lot of big plays.”
Junior DeJaun Cooper returns at defensive tackle after starting all 11 games last season, and junior William Wood will start at nose guard to complete the defensive line.
Rice’s nickel package allows for only two linebackers, and depth is not an issue. Senior Adam Herrin led the team in tackles last season with 74, and the Owls return everyone who played a down at linebacker last season. Sophomore Buck Casson will start alongside Herrin, but junior Omeke Alikor, sophomores Jared Gilbert and Lance Luedeker and redshirt freshman Vernon James will all see playing time.
“The depth is the best it’s been since I’ve been here,” Herrin said, “I figure it’s going to be a definite advantage for us to have a quality backup for each linebacking position three-deep — a lot of teams don’t have that. One guy may go down, and another guy will come in and we won’t miss a beat.”
Rice’s secondary has been an enigma in recent seasons, loaded with talent that failed to translate into a solid pass defense. The Owls hope the experience in the secondary this season will translate into more consistent results. Junior free safety Andray Downs and junior bandit Chad Price have both started every game since the middle of the 2003 season, and junior cornerback Lance Byrd is also a returning starter. Sophomore cornerback Jon Turner and junior rover Matt Ginn complete the starting secondary. Ginn shifted to rover from cornerback in the offseason.
“It’s different from being corner,” Ginn said. “It’s a much more physical position… Most of the time [as a cornerback] you just run with guys, and now you’re tackling fullbacks and running backs and covering tight ends most of the time.”
Hatfield said he will not hesitate to use redshirt freshmen Bencil Smith, Ja’Corey Shepherd and Brandon King, as well as true freshmen Brian Raines and Carl Taylor in the secondary despite their inexperience.
“Whoever is the most productive is going to play the most for us,” Hatfield said.
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