3-3-5 defense

[Palatine]

We lined up in this formation on almost every snap. We only put six men in the box and rarely moved up a seventh defender. We did move the line around a lot. And that caused some confusion and a few penalties. But it may also account for our weakness in the center of the defensive line versus Central.

It will be interesting if we stay with this versus Syracuse. Mora said we have to clean some stuff up in the middle. I also hope he also considers the scheme and brings a seventh man into the box. I know Syracuse killed us through the air last year. But they should have a drop off at QB this year. And a more crowded box can also contribute to the pass rush.

 

[ZooCougar]

We lined up in this formation on almost every snap. We only put six men in the box and rarely moved up a seventh defender. We did move the line around a lot. And that caused some confusion and a few penalties. But it may also account for our weakness in the center of the defensive line versus Central.

It will be interesting if we stay with this versus Syracuse. Mora said we have to clean some stuff up in the middle. I also hope he also considers the scheme and brings a seventh man into the box. I know Syracuse killed us through the air last year. But they should have a drop off at QB this year. And a more crowded box can also contribute to the pass rush.

They also lost their best receivers.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

We lined up in this formation on almost every snap. We only put six men in the box and rarely moved up a seventh defender. We did move the line around a lot. And that caused some confusion and a few penalties. But it may also account for our weakness in the center of the defensive line versus Central.

It will be interesting if we stay with this versus Syracuse. Mora said we have to clean some stuff up in the middle. I also hope he also considers the scheme and brings a seventh man into the box. I know Syracuse killed us through the air last year. But they should have a drop off at QB this year. And a more crowded box can also contribute to the pass rush.

Was Branch often a DE on the that front?

 

[Purple Stein]

We didn't need to bring anything extra to the box against CCSU.

We'll learn a lot more about the quality of our defense and how Brock plans to play it this weekend.

 

[CTBasketball]

We hid a lot of what we’re going to be showing the rest of the season. I think we’ll see a more bonafide pass rush next week.

 

[Palatine]

Was Branch often a DE on the that front?

Still learning the numbers. Branch had three tackles. It seemed like Wright was out there a lot. He also had three tackles.

 

[huskymedic]

We hid a lot of what we’re going to be showing the rest of the season. I think we’ll see a more bonafide pass rush next week.

With DL Trent Jones out a bit longer I’m sure Brock is still experimenting w/ rotations/pieces as well.

 

[Tdaley]

Was Branch often a DE on the that front?

Yes

 

[Hamms30]

I need to rewatch, but live at the game it looked like we were playing a pretty vanilla defense. Dunno if that's because we didn't want to show blitz packages to scout or the defense is still learning to gel together, so they kept it plain with a "just execute and do your job" type of mentality. Either way, I won't knock them for the TD we gave up. I'm happy with only giving up a couple field goals. That said, Cuse has some large humans on their O-Line.

 

[BlueandOG]

We hid a lot of what we’re going to be showing the rest of the season. I think we’ll see a more bonafide pass rush next week.

I agree. Mora played just enough D to stifle them, not to overwhelm them. We'll see a stouter D-line on Saturday vs. Cuse.

 

[jdb50]

We did send people on blitz type rushes. The worry to me is if the runner breaks the line there is no one in the middle to stop them. We had King attacking from various spots. This had him engaged with O-lineman. Hé's quick but not the biggest rusher. He would be the most experienced player to clean things up if the lineman can tie up the O-line. Diomande had a good first game.

 

[freescooter]

I think we ran a base defense. That is all we needed against Central Connecticut. The defense gave up 2 field goals an a 4 yard td drive. There was no need to dial up all manner of blitz. Just get things coordinated.

 

[businesslawyer]

Was Branch often a DE on the that front?

Branch is playing the role Langston Hardy played last year. Sort of a hybrid LB/DE to my eyes.

 

[AllHusky]

I think we ran a base defense. That is all we needed against Central Connecticut. The defense gave up 2 field goals an a 4 yard td drive. There was no need to dial up all manner of blitz. Just get things coordinated.

The more I read comments like this and review last year, the more I think Brocks crew is going to surprise Cuse and maybe all of us this weekend. Exciting.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I think we ran a base defense. That is all we needed against Central Connecticut. The defense gave up 2 field goals an a 4 yard td drive. There was no need to dial up all manner of blitz. Just get things coordinated.

The more I read comments like this and review last year, the more I think Brocks crew is going to surprise Cuse and maybe all of us this weekend. Exciting.

If I remember correctly from yesterday's presser, Mora mentioned something about players earning the right to blitz.
Said staff and players have to get opponent in to longer down and distance. Bringing pressure is tougher when the opponent has option to run or pass.

Go to the 40 minute mark of the presser to hear his exact words.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Branch is playing the role Langston Hardy played last year. Sort of a hybrid LB/DE to my eyes.

We were walking around the red line quite a bit and visiting with others so wasn't sure how often he lined up at DE on a three-man front. Tried the replay on Youtube but the perceptive was just awful. No need to show everything against Central.

 

[hardcorehusky]

Branch is playing the role Langston Hardy played last year. Sort of a hybrid LB/DE to my eyes.

He was Hardy's back up so he knows the role well. Keys came on against UNC and played well that day so we have 2 good guys for that role at least.

 

[businesslawyer]

He was Hardy's back up so he knows the role well. Keys came on against UNC and played well that day so we have 2 good guys for that role at least.

And Keys got snaps with the first unit on Saturday as well. Frankly, there was much, much more substituting of LBs with the first unit on Saturday than I ever remember from a UConn team.