Rushing defense is improved and we played Ohio State in there too
Agree.
In comparison to last year, #3 and #23 have been very active and effective in filling the gap in defending the run. The front four have also improved in stopping the run. Unfortunately, they still had a tendency of either missing some critical tackles or in stopping the runs around the outside edge.
Our defensive problems have always been centered on our inability to put pressure on the opposite QB in the passing situation (especially against taller QBs who could throw over the DL). (We did well against the 5’9” QB from SIU).
In my view, the defensive scheme has been inadequate for last year and this year (i.e. this year, in one of the home game, we tried to cover the best conference receiver one on one for the entire game resulting in a career day for the guy). I would have thought the dc.would double up on the guy after half time. No, he didn’t…..