Cougars become opportunistic defense

Even during walk-throughs before practice, the Cougars’ defense is trying to cause turnovers.

Though forcing a teammate to fumble after he jogs through the hole or going for an interception on a lofted pass doesn’t set the team up for a game-winning drive, it creates a mindset, according to junior defensive tackle Joey Mbu.

“In practice, we focus on turning the ball over, even in walk-throughs. If someone is passing by, we just try to wiggle it a little bit or try to punch the ball,” Mbu said.

Last season, the Cougars were one of the worst defenses in the nation — the team was in the bottom third of every major NCAA statistic. This season, with an uptick in turnovers, the Cougars’ defense has transformed into a reason for the team’s winning, rather than a contribution to a loss.

More turnovers are the result of players’ practice in stripping the ball and players who have a nose for the football, according to defensive coordinator David Gibbs.

“They work hard at stripping and punching the ball out. So far we’ve been lucky,” Gibbs said. “We’ve got to keep going. We’ve got a big test this week against Memphis, so hopefully we can get some more turnovers.”

Against UTSA, the defense forced five fourth-quarter turnovers to turn a close contest into a blowout. The Cougars held their first two opponents, Southern and Temple, to 13 points. And even though cross-town rival Rice scored 26 points, the squad made crucial plays late to help secure the win.

Besides better statistics, Mbu said the team is a more confident bunch after focusing on technique this offseason, but the turnaround is also a product of hiring Gibbs during the offseason.

“It’s a family atmosphere. Coach Gibbs will get on you and he will fire you up — all of that stuff,” Mbu said. “Then he comes and talks to you (because) he wants you to understand the game. Once you understand more of what everyone else is doing, you know where you’re supposed to be.”

Gibbs simplified the scheme, allowing freshmen and sophomores to become playmakers. Freshman defensive end Tyus Bowser has added depth and explosiveness to their edge, while redshirt freshman linebacker Steven Taylor has become a starter.

“Because we have simplified, we’re not spending so much time on a scheme each week, but more time on the fundamentals like tackling ball, stripping and creating the interception,” said head coach Tony Levine. “And I think we have seen the results of those combined.”

But the Cougars’ defense has been supplemented by an offense that has done a good job taking care of the ball, according to Levine. Without offensive turnovers, the defense has been able to play more aggressively and in a better field position.

Though the Cougars have caused 14 turnovers, the offense has only surrendered three, contributing to their 4-0 record. The Cougars have forced  an average of three turnovers a game and are ranked No. 1, nationally, with a 2.75 turnover margin.

“Our offense is also taking care of the ball. If you get five turnovers on defense and turn the ball over six times on offense, you’re probably in for a long evening,” Levine said.

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