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An article in today's Argus that kind of got buried in all the high school playoff news. I thought it was worth sharing.
Improving defense is key to SDSU's success
Terry Vandrovec • November 3, 2009
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - South Dakota State has essentially the same defense that it did last year, returning its top eight tacklers, and yet the results couldn't be more different
The No. 9-ranked Jackrabbits again boosted most of their stellar stopping stats on Saturday with a 17-3 win at Youngstown State - the third time this season that they haven't allowed a touchdown.
Why the dramatic turnaround?
Adding two defensive assistants with major-college ties - line coach Clint Brown and linebackers coach Shawn Mennenga - has helped, as has another year of on-field experience. But maybe more than that, this group has a certain' je ne sais qua' - a phrase the no-nonsense players would never use.
"It comes down to the players' desire to make it a special season," said co-coordinator Jay Bubak, the Jacks' longest-tenured defensive assistant. "I don't know if you'd say it's once in a lifetime, but to get that type of chemistry with ability and then add in some good coaching - they just believe in what's going on."
The change is bordering on unbelievable.
(read more)
Terry Vandrovec • November 3, 2009
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - South Dakota State has essentially the same defense that it did last year, returning its top eight tacklers, and yet the results couldn't be more different
The No. 9-ranked Jackrabbits again boosted most of their stellar stopping stats on Saturday with a 17-3 win at Youngstown State - the third time this season that they haven't allowed a touchdown.
Why the dramatic turnaround?
Adding two defensive assistants with major-college ties - line coach Clint Brown and linebackers coach Shawn Mennenga - has helped, as has another year of on-field experience. But maybe more than that, this group has a certain' je ne sais qua' - a phrase the no-nonsense players would never use.
"It comes down to the players' desire to make it a special season," said co-coordinator Jay Bubak, the Jacks' longest-tenured defensive assistant. "I don't know if you'd say it's once in a lifetime, but to get that type of chemistry with ability and then add in some good coaching - they just believe in what's going on."
The change is bordering on unbelievable.
(read more)
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