Weight gain allows Singleton to contribute

Redshirt freshman defensive tackle B.J. Singleton was confused when he was told he needed to gain weight and strength.

Last season during two-a-days, Singleton weighed 240 pounds. Head coach Tony Levine told him they were going to redshirt him in order to use the time for building his stature.

“Some kids come into your program ready to play as a true freshman. And we recruited (Singleton) knowing he needed a redshirt year just to gain strength and weight.”

This season, when Singleton steps on the scale, it reads 285. Singleton said that has been the reason for his successful season thus far.

“I saw a difference — a big difference. (Levine) said, ‘Get into the weight room, work hard and next year you’ll be ready.’ I took what he said seriously by going into summer workouts, and here we are,” Singleton said.

He may only have four tackles in four games, but he leads the team with two blocked field goals. He had one against Rice and the other, which most believe was the game-winner, Saturday at UTSA as redshirt freshman defensive back Brandon Wilson scooped up the ball and took it 78 yards for a touchdown, causing a 10-point swing late in the third quarter.

“As soon as I saw the gap open, I just took it,” Singleton said. “Coach Levine always preaches to us, saying ‘don’t hit the kicker.’ I rolled off (the kicker) instead.”

Singleton said that after he blocked it with his left hand, the ball hit his facemask and then bounced into Wilson’s waiting arms.

Levine said he knew UTSA has seen a few other block schemes from his team coming into the game.

“I was confident B.J. was going to come free (on the field block),” Levine said. “We certainly got a great bounce where Brandon Wilson, who was right where he needed to be. (He) picked it up and the rest is history.”

“It was exactly how we practiced. It was exactly how we schemed it and, in the end, it was the turning point in the game,” Wilson said.

Traditionally, when the Cougars walk away with a victory, it’s anchored with their high-potent offense. But this season, that hasn’t always been the case.

Against Temple on Sept. 7, the defense only allowed 13 points and sealed the game with an interception from sophomore defensive back Adrian McDonald on the final drive. Senior kicker Richie Leone booted five field goals to lift the Cougars when the offense struggled to score touchdowns.

At Rice on Sept. 21, the defense forced a turnover on downs on the final drive to propel the Cougars to a 31-26 victory.

“We’ve told our team a number of times that the greatest team sport is football.”

“All four of our victories have been team victories. It’s not like we’ve won a game 59-56, and it’s not like we’ve won a game 3-2.,” Levine said.

“Offense has taken care of the ball and scored points; the defense has created turnovers and held the opponent to low points, especially in the second half; and special teams has made enough plays, including the block (Singleton) made against UTSA.”

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