While adapting to the loss of key players to graduation and new faces taking on new roles on both sides of the ball, the Jumbos have remained consistent in one category: defense. Coming off of their strongest start since 2003, the Jumbos have improved offensively from last season, but it's been the defense that has anchored the team thus far.
This season, the defense has allowed only three touchdowns in as many games, and has given up just 156 yards per game. The team sits at a close second in NESCAC in total defense, passing defense (93.3 yards per game) and running defense (63.0 yards per game). The Jumbos' 27 first downs allowed is a league best.
According to players and coaches, the leadership of senior defensive back Patrick Magoon and a cohesive unit of players have been the keys for the strong defensive play.
"[Magoon] is the general out there. Without him, we'd be lost," sophomore linebacker Adam Arsenault said. "But you need chemistry out there to perform, and we have a lot of guys out there who know how to work with each other. Our depth has also helped us. Guys know how to play their positions and have been playing together for a while."
According to coach Bill Samko, the combination of good coaching and hard-working players especially on the defensive line, has been another key to the Jumbos' success.
"There really is no magic formula," Samko said. "We have a bunch of good players that like playing hard and play well as a group. We have great coaches too. Our guys down on the line have been solid and they step it up for us when it counts."
Perhaps the most telling statistic of any strong defense is its performance in the red zone. When the pressure has been on for the Jumbos to stop a third or fourth down conversion, they have answered the call, currently ranking third in total red zone defense behind Amherst and Trinity. These key defensive stops have been a product of good communication on the field and a strong defensive line.
"We're always talking to each other out there and buckling down to do our jobs when it counts." Arsenault said. "Our D-line has been awesome all season, but it's been a total team effort. When we know we have to make a big stop, we make sure we do our jobs."
This weekend, the Jumbos will face a Trinity team that has been an offensive powerhouse in the NESCAC all season.
"We're coming off strong from this weekend," Arsenault said. "A lot of people are going to be surprised this week. We're going for a win."
