SHSU defense continues to improve
After taking a break from action Thursday, the Bearkats were back on the field Friday afternoon to begin game-week preparation.
Sam Houston State opens the season next Thursday at home against Angelo State. The guys went all out in full pads for two and a half hours and have made a lot of progress over the last couple of weeks.
The defense is starting to take shape considering the amount of positions that had to be filled. The Bearkats entered the spring and summer with eight starting positions up for grabs in their 4-2-5 defensive scheme.
“We have a lot of chemistry this year, and we work well together,” starting safety Carlton Cobey said. “In the past, I really don’t know what was going on, but we seem a little more focused this year.”
The defensive front four has looked good with only one familiar face starting, all-conference strong-side end David Branch who missed all of last season following shoulder surgery. Along with University of Texas transfer Chris Brown and junior Ryan Gloston, SHSU has already improved a pass rush that recorded only eight sacks last season.
The Bearkats have also had to break in two new interior linemen thanks to graduation and a back injury to starter Eric Mikolajchek, who is hoping to make it back before the North Dakota State game on Sept. 15. Junior Jerod Brown and sophomore Kevin Smith have performed well as the starters in camp.
“We have a real good D-line, and we mesh really good,” Jerod Brown said. “We have Chris Brown as a speedster of the end and have David coming back. He is a great defensive end. This year we are really focusing on getting a good push because the defensive line is where the defense starts.”
SHSU is also having to replace most of the secondary. Cobey and fellow senior safety Byran Richmond are the only starters who saw significant playing time in 2006. Senior Josh Moore has moved into the other starting safety spot and has made plays in the two intrasquad scrimmages this summer.
Juniors Stanley Garrett and Wonseleh Brewer are currently listed as the starters at cornerback on the two-deep roster, but Nebraska transfer Titus Brothers and junior Hendrix Otalor will also see plenty of action. All four have shown a knack for picking off the ball in camp.
“Our corners look good, and Josh Moore has stepped up big time,” Cobey said. “He has been here a while, but this is his first chance to show what he can do in a starting role. But the secondary looks good and everyone has been busting their tails.”
The only area on defense that seems to be a concern is depth at linebacker. Junior Northeast Oklahoma transfer Frank Simon hasn’t been able to practice yet because of a foot injury. Simon had a solid spring and was in position to start before the injury.
Sophomore Luke McCall missed some time this summer with an injury but is back practicing and slated to start in the middle. Nolen Bucek is starting at the weak side spot, and juniors Shane Richburg and Shawn Weatherford are quality guys who can come in and make plays.
“We have some returning starters and a lot of new guys coming in, but everybody is stepping up and beginning to play good,” Jerod Brown said. “We are really coming together. We are going against a great offense with Rhett Bomar, and they are giving us a great look.
“Everybody is starting to get pumped up because we have that first game coming up. I think we are really going to have a strong defense.”
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