The Defense has been very good so far. Although, they have given up large sums of yardage and allowed some 3rd down conversions so far.

However:
Allowed 10 points to Arkansas (2 point safety applied to offense for not getting 1st down at end of game).
Gave up 20 points in Regulation versus Iowa State.
That's good enough to win games and championships!!!!!!!

These numbers could go down further if one thing happens......
A change in the time of possession.
Arkansas had the ball 40 minutes vs. 20 minutes for Toledo.
Iowa State had it 38 plus minutes.

If the Rocket offense could make one more first down per possession, the Yardage against would easily drop 150, and even fewer points. The defense would rest more and be sharper on 3rd down.

ISU's ability to run the ball was a surprise. Hope that is corrected and the defense continues to shut down the run.

Paul Helgren @UTPaulHelgren Wrote:Good stat courtesy of Mark Beier: in 9 trips inside the red zone this year, Rocket opponents have scored 1 touchdown. #ToledoTough

Keep up the great work Toledo!
Beat Arkansas State by 50 points.
If Southern Cal won 55-6, then Toledo can do better!

(09-21-2015 09:20 AM)NewMex RocketFan Wrote:  ISU's ability to run the ball was a surprise. Hope that is corrected and the defense continues to shut down the run.

I was a little surprised as well, but some of those runs were around the end if I remember correctly, and not up the middle. I am sure ISU picked something up on film.

BTW: Wasn't that Warren RB supposed to be coming to Toledo?

What is remarkable about Toledo's defensive efforts is that both of these teams either had a very familiar former foe coach or an ex-coach on the staff to help build schemes.

I am really impressed with Toledo's efforts. I believe coach used the word resilience. That is a lot of plays to defend. It says a lot about the depth. Nice job "D"!

Said along, they were getting better as the year wore on last year. "D" was consistent against the run last year, and continues this year, (the QB scrambling killed us Sat.). The secondary, led by Norrils is soooo much better and fun to watch this year.
Go Rockets!!!!

They are fun to watch, to isolate on players and watch. Couldn't bear to do that in recent years. Every Defense gets "burned" several times during the course of the game. The other team is playing strategy too. It's not a game of over-powering. It's a game of strategy. Loved the ISU coaching match-up.

A very gutsy team performance to hang in and win in double OT.

Opponent penalties have extended time for other offenses and amount of yards possibly gained per posession. Two holdings give you 120 yards of field to gain instead of 100. Only one broken play so far this season for a score and it looked like a safety gambled then the ISU receiver had a walk in TD. Love the redzone D.

(09-21-2015 08:22 PM)sterling1man Wrote:  Keep up the great work Toledo!
Beat Arkansas State by 50 points.
If Southern Cal won 55-6, then Toledo can do better!

Avenge WMU humiliating loss to the mighty Sunbelt with a big win at Arkansas State.

iowa st had a good offensive plan and has good skill position guys. warren was down to UT and ISU and you can see why we recruited him hard. he did a good job at bouncing it out when the hole was clogged then turning back upfield w a burst. iowa st also had a better dine than arkansas, imo. at least they played the run tougher. if iowa st can catch a break and build some momentum i could see them being a solid %500 big 12 team. i could also see them going 1-8.

(09-21-2015 09:15 AM)Terry Wrote:  The Defense has been very good so far. Although, they have given up large sums of yardage and allowed some 3rd down conversions so far.

However:
Allowed 10 points to Arkansas (2 point safety applied to offense for not getting 1st down at end of game).
Gave up 20 points in Regulation versus Iowa State.
That's good enough to win games and championships!!!!!!!

These numbers could go down further if one thing happens......
A change in the time of possession.
Arkansas had the ball 40 minutes vs. 20 minutes for Toledo.
Iowa State had it 38 plus minutes.

If the Rocket offense could make one more first down per possession, the Yardage against would easily drop 150, and even fewer points. The defense would rest more and be sharper on 3rd down.

I forgot to add the Red Zone numbers pointed out by Mark Beier at the Coaches Show...
9 attempts
3 scores: 1 TD and 2 FG's
PRETTY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

While you do have to outscore an opponent to actually win, I think it is very fair to say that the Rocket D has preserved if not outright won both games to date!

(09-22-2015 07:37 AM)bcunn3128 Wrote:  While you do have to outscore an opponent to actually win, I think it is very fair to say that the Rocket D has preserved if not outright won both games to date!

Absolutely!!!!!!!!