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DEFENSE … by the Numbers

IdaGriz01

Well-known member
Okay, the Griz defense surely passes the “eye test” as a dominating force. But, as some of you may recall, I’m a numbers guy and like to see it in the stats. (The NCAA finally got around to updating through yesterday’s games). Well, it’s there in the numbers.

It all starts with the ground game. The Griz have given up just 52.5 Yard Per Game rushing, putting them at #8 in all of FCS. (The leader, BTW, is Villanova at 4.5 YPG. It helps that they have played those mighty powerhouses Lehigh and Bucknell. :lol: )

In posting that good number, the Griz have held the opponents to just 2.02 Yards Per Rush. The longest rush for UW was just 13 yards, and for Western it was just 10 yards. It also helps that the Griz are tied for third in Team Tackles For Loss, piling up 84 negative yards in the two games. The Griz are also tied for fourth in Sacks, with nine for a negative 53 yards.

Having stuffed the run, the Griz were bound to see more passing. They are only #31 in Passing Yards given up: 168.5 YPG. Of course, the Griz were second in passes defended, at 77. Only Eastern Illinois has had more passes thrown their way: 82. But, by and large, the Griz have kept those passes in front of them: the longest for UW was 25 yards, Western was 20. In fact, the Griz are ranked #2 in Yards Per Completion given up, at 7.02 YPC. (Only Villanova was better, at 6.84 YPC.) In Yards Per Attempt, the Griz number is 4.38 YPA.

Given those number, it should be no surprise that the Griz are tied for #4 in Scoring Defense. And, as we all know, one of the two TDs given up by the Griz was on the offense, not the D.

Pretty damned impressive!
 
Overlooked another key stat: Third Down Conversions by the opponent. The Griz are tied for #22 in that category, allowing just 30% on their opponents' attempts. While not spectacular (the median is about 38.5%), that's a pretty good number too.
 
Reading western Illinois forum and they think that this Montana team is as good or better than the SDSU team they played in the spring season, and that we have one of the three best defenses they’ll face this year, the other two being SDSU and NDSU. They also think this Montana team would win the MAC with relative ease. Can’t say I disagree. I can’t remember a defense as ferocious as this one even during Haucks first stint here, and those teams had some real studs. Not sure the defenses of the early 2000s were this good either. Still a lot of ball to be played. I can’t wait to see how we match up with EWUs dynamic passing attack. Going to be a fun battle to witness between our lockdown secondary and their wideouts!
 
IdaGriz01 said:
Okay, the Griz defense surely passes the “eye test” as a dominating force. But, as some of you may recall, I’m a numbers guy and like to see it in the stats. (The NCAA finally got around to updating through yesterday’s games). Well, it’s there in the numbers.

It all starts with the ground game. The Griz have given up just 52.5 Yard Per Game rushing, putting them at #8 in all of FCS. (The leader, BTW, is Villanova at 4.5 YPG. It helps that they have played those mighty powerhouses Lehigh and Bucknell. :lol: )

In posting that good number, the Griz have held the opponents to just 2.02 Yards Per Rush. The longest rush for UW was just 13 yards, and for Western it was just 10 yards. It also helps that the Griz are tied for third in Team Tackles For Loss, piling up 84 negative yards in the two games. The Griz are also tied for fourth in Sacks, with nine for a negative 53 yards.

Having stuffed the run, the Griz were bound to see more passing. They are only #31 in Passing Yards given up: 168.5 YPG. Of course, the Griz were second in passes defended, at 77. Only Eastern Illinois has had more passes thrown their way: 82. But, by and large, the Griz have kept those passes in front of them: the longest for UW was 25 yards, Western was 20. In fact, the Griz are ranked #2 in Yards Per Completion given up, at 7.02 YPC. (Only Villanova was better, at 6.84 YPC.) In Yards Per Attempt, the Griz number is 4.38 YPA.

Given those number, it should be no surprise that the Griz are tied for #4 in Scoring Defense. And, as we all know, one of the two TDs given up by the Griz was on the offense, not the D.

Pretty damned impressive!
Ida,
I always enjoy your posts. Like you said, Lehigh and the competition for these teams may be holding their stats. The GRIZ have had some of the toughest competition. Look for the GRIZ to move into nbr 1 as the season progresses.
 
IdaGriz01 said:
It all starts with the ground game. The Griz have given up just 52.5 Yard Per Game rushing, putting them at #8 in all of FCS. (The leader, BTW, is Villanova at 4.5 YPG. It helps that they have played those mighty powerhouses Lehigh and Bucknell. :lol: )

In posting that good number, the Griz have held the opponents to just 2.02 Yards Per Rush. The longest rush for UW was just 13 yards, and for Western it was just 10 yards. It also helps that the Griz are tied for third in Team Tackles For Loss, piling up 84 negative yards in the two games. The Griz are also tied for fourth in Sacks, with nine for a negative 53 yards.
It was not difficult to see this spring that this defense was going to be very difficult to run against. Strong tackling, little yardage after initial contact and seldom out of position. With the Stadium nearly empty, the sound of the hits told a story of its own.
 
The NCAA was quicker to update their FCS stats through yesterday’s games, so here’s an update.

Again, the Griz defense is right up there. They are currently #6 in Rushing Defense at 50.7 yard per game. They are holding opponents to just 1.71 yards per rush, which is just ridiculous. They are now first in Team Tackles for Loss per game, having recorded 33 in three games leading to 147 yards in losses for the opponents. They are #3 in Team Sacks, inflicting 89 yards of losses on their opponents.

Of course, by shutting down the run, the Griz force teams to throw. And the D has done well against that too. However, because they’ve had to defend against so many passes, UM is only #57 in Passing Yards allowed, at 217.7 yards per game. That’s seems like a pretty mediocre ranking.

But wait. First, only one team has seen more passes thrown at them on a per-game basis. That would be ETSU at 47.25 passes defended per game (they’ve play 4 games). The Griz are second at 43.7 defended per game. (William & Mary is close behind at 43.5.) Despite that barrage, the Griz are second only to Princeton in yards allowed per completion: They sit at 8.48 yards allowed per completion. Princeton is at 7.84 yard per completion (they’ve played only two games, of course).

Another stat: 3rd Down Conversion Defense. Griz are #23, allowing just 16 First Downs in 50 attempts for a low 32%.
And … Red Zone Defense. Griz are #3 at 0.333 (two scores in six tries in the Red Zone).

Then the most important stat, Scoring Defense: The Griz are #3 in that, allowing just 7.0 points per game.

Non-Defense Numbers
Special teams stat: Net Punting, UM #2 at 45.20
Punt Return Defense #24 … only had two punts returned, for a total of 4 yards.

Despite all the nay-saying, Cam now has a more-than-respectable Passer Rating of 154.25, which puts him at #14 in that ranking. He has completed 63.5% of his passes (ranked at #25) for 572 yards in three games.
 
IdaGriz01 said:
The NCAA was quicker to update their FCS stats through yesterday’s games, so here’s an update.

Again, the Griz defense is right up there. They are currently #6 in Rushing Defense at 50.7 yard per game. They are holding opponents to just 1.71 yards per rush, which is just ridiculous. They are now first in Team Tackles for Loss per game, having recorded 33 in three games leading to 147 yards in losses for the opponents. They are #3 in Team Sacks, inflicting 89 yards of losses on their opponents.

Of course, by shutting down the run, the Griz force teams to throw. And the D has done well against that too. However, because they’ve had to defend against so many passes, UM is only #57 in Passing Yards allowed, at 217.7 yards per game. That’s seems like a pretty mediocre ranking.

But wait. First, only one team has seen more passes thrown at them on a per-game basis. That would be ETSU at 47.25 passes defended per game (they’ve play 4 games). The Griz are second at 43.7 defended per game. (William & Mary is close behind at 43.5.) Despite that barrage, the Griz are second only to Princeton in yards allowed per completion: They sit at 8.48 yards allowed per completion. Princeton is at 7.84 yard per completion (they’ve played only two games, of course).

Another stat: 3rd Down Conversion Defense. Griz are #23, allowing just 16 First Downs in 50 attempts for a low 32%.
And … Red Zone Defense. Griz are #3 at 0.333 (two scores in six tries in the Red Zone).

Then the most important stat, Scoring Defense: The Griz are #3 in that, allowing just 7.0 points per game.

Non-Defense Numbers
Special teams stat: Net Punting, UM #2 at 45.20
Punt Return Defense #24 … only had two punts returned, for a total of 4 yards.

Despite all the nay-saying, Cam now has a more-than-respectable Passer Rating of 154.25, which puts him at #14 in that ranking. He has completed 63.5% of his passes (ranked at #25) for 572 yards in three games.

Thank you IDA! Great information. If Cam can continue to play to this level, and limit Turn Overs, with our defense, we should be a very tough out!
Go Griz!
 
IdaGriz01 said:
Despite all the nay-saying, Cam now has a more-than-respectable Passer Rating of 154.25, which puts him at #14 in that ranking. He has completed 63.5% of his passes (ranked at #25) for 572 yards in three games.

That's a great rating. Just think how good he would be if he lived up to the fans' expectations.
 
fencer24 said:
IdaGriz01 said:
Despite all the nay-saying, Cam now has a more-than-respectable Passer Rating of 154.25, which puts him at #14 in that ranking. He has completed 63.5% of his passes (ranked at #25) for 572 yards in three games.

That's a great rating. Just think how good he would be if he lived up to the fans' expectations.
Thankfully, he is more concerned about living up to his coaches's expectations, designed to win the most games in a long season, than entertaining fans.
 
fencer24 said:
IdaGriz01 said:
Despite all the nay-saying, Cam now has a more-than-respectable Passer Rating of 154.25, which puts him at #14 in that ranking. He has completed 63.5% of his passes (ranked at #25) for 572 yards in three games.

That's a great rating. Just think how good he would be if he lived up to the fans' expectations.

This fan has one expectation. Win.

Cam is 8-0. :thumb:
 
If the Griz offense can put up 21 points on the scoreboard each and every game I think the Griz go undefeated cuz ain't nobdy gonna put up 21 or more on this Griz defense! Nobdy!
 
This.

IdaGriz01 said:
only one team has seen more passes thrown at them on a per-game basis. That would be ETSU at 47.25 passes defended per game (they’ve play 4 games). The Griz are second at 43.7 defended per game. (William & Mary is close behind at 43.5.) Despite that barrage, the Griz are second only to Princeton in yards allowed per completion: They sit at 8.48 yards allowed per completion. Princeton is at 7.84 yard per completion (they’ve played only two games, of course).

Another stat: 3rd Down Conversion Defense. Griz are #23, allowing just 16 First Downs in 50 attempts for a low 32%.
And … Red Zone Defense. Griz are #3 at 0.333 (two scores in six tries in the Red Zone).


Then the most important stat, Scoring Defense: The Griz are #3 in that, allowing just 7.0 points per game.

Non-Defense Numbers
Special teams stat: Net Punting, UM #2 at 45.20
Punt Return Defense #24 … only had two punts returned, for a total of 4 yards.

Despite all the nay-saying, Cam now has a more-than-respectable Passer Rating of 154.25, which puts him at #14 in that ranking. He has completed 63.5% of his passes (ranked at #25) for 572 yards in three games.

I do think that Baer will call a number of Blitzes to get several hits on EB, but there will need to be someone on a delay blitz or spy on EB. He is a really accurate passer if he has sufficient time in the pocket or on roll-out.
 
Griz90 said:
If the Griz offense can put up 21 points on the scoreboard each and every game I think the Griz go undefeated cuz ain't nobdy gonna put up 21 or more on this Griz defense! Nobdy!
I'll take that action. :clap:
 
IdaGriz01 said:
The NCAA was quicker to update their FCS stats through yesterday’s games, so here’s an update.

Again, the Griz defense is right up there. They are currently #6 in Rushing Defense at 50.7 yard per game. They are holding opponents to just 1.71 yards per rush, which is just ridiculous. They are now first in Team Tackles for Loss per game, having recorded 33 in three games leading to 147 yards in losses for the opponents. They are #3 in Team Sacks, inflicting 89 yards of losses on their opponents.

Of course, by shutting down the run, the Griz force teams to throw. And the D has done well against that too. However, because they’ve had to defend against so many passes, UM is only #57 in Passing Yards allowed, at 217.7 yards per game. That’s seems like a pretty mediocre ranking.

But wait. First, only one team has seen more passes thrown at them on a per-game basis. That would be ETSU at 47.25 passes defended per game (they’ve play 4 games). The Griz are second at 43.7 defended per game. (William & Mary is close behind at 43.5.) Despite that barrage, the Griz are second only to Princeton in yards allowed per completion: They sit at 8.48 yards allowed per completion. Princeton is at 7.84 yard per completion (they’ve played only two games, of course).

Another stat: 3rd Down Conversion Defense. Griz are #23, allowing just 16 First Downs in 50 attempts for a low 32%.
And … Red Zone Defense. Griz are #3 at 0.333 (two scores in six tries in the Red Zone).

Then the most important stat, Scoring Defense: The Griz are #3 in that, allowing just 7.0 points per game.

Non-Defense Numbers
Special teams stat: Net Punting, UM #2 at 45.20
Punt Return Defense #24 … only had two punts returned, for a total of 4 yards.

Despite all the nay-saying, Cam now has a more-than-respectable Passer Rating of 154.25, which puts him at #14 in that ranking. He has completed 63.5% of his passes (ranked at #25) for 572 yards in three games.

The official stats may say that, but in reality, it should be 4.6 per game, as the defense had nothing to do with the pick 6 that WIU had.
 
Htowngriz said:
...

The official stats may say that, but in reality, it should be 4.6 per game, as the defense had nothing to do with the pick 6 that WIU had.
True dat!

Oddly enough, that wouldn't change the rank for the Griz. :D #2 (NDSU) sits at 4.33 ... 13 points in three games. Any way you look at it, it's damn good.
 
kemajic said:
fencer24 said:
That's a great rating. Just think how good he would be if he lived up to the fans' expectations.
Thankfully, he is more concerned about living up to his coaches's expectations, designed to win the most games in a long season, than entertaining fans.

the leader of the church of hauck hath spoketh. according to his gawd, the fans matter not, unless they are this one guy living off an i-90 exit near-ish to billings. if he isn't satisfied, he will have a tantrum and not support anything to do with u.m. until he gets his way.

regardless, humphrey is playing well, especially in the turnover department. he can be frustrating to watch, though, as it seems like the griz have wide open receivers that he misses a lot. but i'm not a guy living off an i-90 exit near billings who would withdraw all support for the university of montana over a football coach, so my very brief analysis of the qb's play so far is mere message board fodder, not a warning to u.m. to change the quarterback, or else...
 
Number 24 in punt return defense with only 4 yards returned? Doesn’t seem possible. There must be several teams with 0 return yards.
 
IslandGriz said:
Number 24 in punt return defense with only 4 yards returned? Doesn’t seem possible. There must be several teams with 0 return yards.
Good observation. Actually, the top five teams have posted negative return yardage, then there are 11 that have allowed zero return yards. Cornell is just ahead of the Griz ... they've allowed 7 yards in returns, but in 4 tries (1.75 average per return).
 
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