Defensive Stats: 2025 vs 2024

[UConnJim]

Four games into the season, it's pretty clear that the defense is not performing as well as last year, so I looked up the stats for comparison. What really stood out to me is that the defensive stats are a downtick across the board with the exception of sacks, tackles for a loss, and passes defended. Does anybody realize that UConn is ranked #7 in sacks at 3.5/game vs last year ranked #64 at 1.9/game? Or tackles for a loss, ranked #31 at 6.5/game vs. #47 at 5.8/game? This year, it seems the defense is more aggressive going after the passer, but it also seems to be leading to more big plays. And, the defense this year is loaded with new players, especially on the DL with 5 out of the 6 main rotational players new to UConn.

Stats:

Total Defense: 2025: #111 (408.5 yards/game), 2024: #46 (347.3 yards/game)

Scoring Defense: 2025: #94 (27.3 points/game), 2024: #42 (23.1 points/game)

Rushing Defense: 2025: #77, 2024: #39

Passing Defense: 2025: #112, 2024: #60

Passes Defended: 2025: #28, 2024: #24

Opponent 3rd Down Conversion: 2025: #51 (34.5%), 2024: #4 (29.7%)

Opponent 4th Down Conversion: 2025: #99 (66.7%), 2024: #36 (47.8%)

Red Zone % Touchdown: 2025: #69 (58.8%), 2024: #9 (37.2%)

Opponent Long Scrimmage Plays:
10+Yards: 2025: #107, 2024: #46
40+ Yards: 2025: #98, 2024: #27

Sacks: 2025: #7 (3.5/games), 2024: #64 (1.9/game)

Tackles for Loss: 2025: #31 (6.5/game), 2024: #47 (5.85/game)

 

[gopher2]

I wish I hadn't looked at this. Scariest stat to me is opponent long scrimmage plays.

Better get better! I think we will.

 

[DoctorWho85]

Ok how did we regress so much? It seemed like we were lined up for continued success?

 

[huskymedic]

Ok how did we regress so much? It seemed like we were lined up for continued success?

Not so sure we were “lined up for continued success” w/ 9 new starters on defense (DBs Chadwick and Brinson were only returning starters). Defense has had its positive moments but depth (and injuries) are hamstringing them.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

I think we all were concerned about the front seven and so far that's what's happened. Hopefully they improve across the final two-thirds of the season.

 

[Kowalski]

Ok how did we regress so much? It seemed like we were lined up for continued success?

We didn’t return any of last year’s starting DL, linebackers or safeties. They were replaced with portal players that most of us probably never saw play. So I never understood why so many expected the D to be lined up for success. The quality of UConn’s defense was the obvious unknown coming into the season.

Hopefully, this new group will improve as the season progresses. We say glimpses at Syracuse.