2013 Football Preview: Defense

DEFENSIVE LINE:     by Jacob Smiley

Zach Sandstrom, junior of Chadron. HT: 6’1”; WT: 255 lbs. 2012 SEASON: Tackles – UA: 11; A: 11; Tackles- YDS LOST: 3-6; Sacks – YDS: .5 – 3

What are your expectations for the coming season?

“We want to make it even further into the playoffs this year and possibly even to the championship game,” Sandstrom said. “If everyone does their job on defense, the defense will work. I expect everyone to do their job on the team and have a defense that works as it should.”

Dillon Breinig, junior of Arapahoe. HT: 6’2”; WT: 250 lbs. 2012 SEASON: Tackles – UA: 3; A: 3

Olufemi Aaron, sophomore of Pasadena, Calif. HT: 6’3”; WT: 226 lbs. 2012 SEASON: Tackles – UA: 3; A: 1

“I have high expectations for the season and hope to make it pretty deep into the playoffs. I hope everyone continues to work hard on the team,” Aaron said. “There is a lot of work to do and I want everyone to step up and dominate this coming season.”

“I expect 100 percent effort from the guys,” Graduate Assistant Defensive Line Coach Kyle King said. “I want to see them flying on the field and working hard. I expect them to lead by example and give 100 percent effort when playing and practicing.”

CORNERBACKS:     by Emma Stokely

Lane Haller, junior of Gordon. HT: 6’3”; WT: 205 lbs. 2012 SEASON:  Tackles – SOLO: 32; AST: 27; TOTAL: 59; TFL-YDS: 5.0-10. Pass defense- Int-Yds: 3-37: BU: 1; PD: 4. Fumbles: RCV YDS: 1-0. CAREER: Tackles – UA: 46; A: 37; TOT: 83. Interceptions- G: 21; YARDS: 42; LONG: 37.  Scoring- TD: 1.

“Lane had a great winter and spring. We expect good things from him in the fall.  He is a leader on and off the field.  He works hard in the classroom, in the community, and helps the younger players become better,” Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Craig Jersild said.

“I always have really high expectations for myself.  I want to do whatever I need to do to make the team better.  I don’t see myself as an individual leader, but I do try my best to help the younger players be the best they can be,” Haller said.

Conor Casey, junior of Rapid City, SD. HT: 6’2”; WT: 200 lbs. 2012 SEASON: Tackles – SOLO: 28; AST: 8; TOTAL: 36; TFL-YDS: 3.5-14. Pass defense- INT YDS: 4-80 BU: 10; PD: 14. FUMBLES: RCV YDS: 1-0. CAREER: TACKLES – UA: 31; A: 9; TOT: 40. INTERCEPTIONS: G: 19; YARDS: 80; LONG: 41.

“Conor is a great player and we can’t wait to see what he’s going to do this fall.  He is great with helping the younger players improve.  He is not only a great player, but also a great student and member of the community,” Jersild said.

“I want to improve myself from last year and make myself a better player.  I try to lead by example and keep everyone positive.  It is important for me to try to lead the younger plays both on and off the field,” Casey said.

SPECIAL TEAMS:     by Salah Eddine Salmi

Alex Ferdinand, junior of Rapid City, S.D. HT: 5’-10”; WT: 185 lbs. 2012 SEASON: Field Goals: ATT: 19; MADE: 16; BLOCKED: 1; Long: 47; CAREER: ATT: 50; MADE: 46; Kickoffs- NO: 4; YDS: 253; OUT: 2.

“Alex is a down to business guy, not a vocal leader but takes pride in what he does,” Graduate Assistant Linebacker Coach Richard Fairhead said.

“The team is definitely improving, and everyone is working hard,” Ferdinand said. “My leg got a lot stronger , I am kicking really well, but  I still need to work  more on my leg shrink, and work also on my punting as well.”

“I am not trying to lead but I really try hard to work for the team and do my best, and hopefully they see that,” Ferdinand said.

 

LINEBACKERS:     by Teri Robinson

Bryant Miller, senior of Minatare. HT: 6’0”; WT: 205 lbs. 2012 SEASON: Tackles: – SOLO:13; AST: 35; TOTAL: 48; TFL: 4.5; YDS: 10; Sacks: -NO: 1.0;  YDS: 3; INT: – NO: 1; YDS: 0; PASS: – BRUP: 2; CAREER: INT: – G: 17; NO: 1; All Purpose: – G: 17; Tackles: – G: 17; UA: 23; A: 38; TOTAL: 61; TFL: 5.5;  PD: 4; Sacks: – G: 17; UA: 1; TOTAL: 1.0; YDS: 3;

“We need to work on fundamentals,” Miller said.  “Everyone this year has experience.”

“Getting him on All Conference is important,” Fairhead said. “He got injured last season.”

Shea Koch, senior of Custer, S.D. HT: 6’1”; WT: 220 lbs.; 2012 SEASON: Tackles: – SOLO: 40; AST: 57; TOTAL: 97; TFL: 5.5; YDS: 20; Sacks: – NO: 4.0; YDS: 17; Fumble: – FF: 2;  Pass: – QBH: 1; BRUP: 1; Career: Tackles- G: 21; UA: 64; A: 82; TOTAL: 146; TFL: 9.5; PD: 1; FF: 2; Sacks: – G: 21; UA: 4; A: 1; TOTAL: 4.5; YDS: 20

“We need to be leaders on the field,” Koch said. “Everyone needs to know what’s going on. I need to improve overall my skill as a player and make sure to get my responsibilities down.”

“He was Second Team All Conference and would be awesome to get him on First Team,” Fairhead said.

“Shea and Bryant should have a good season as seniors and the younger guys need to step up.”

Dylan Furrier, sophomore of Tucson, Ariz. HT: 6’0”; WT: 225 lbs.; 2012 SEASON: Tackles: – UA: 12; AST: 17; Total: 29; TFL: 2.0; YDS: 4; Fumble: – FF: 1; CAREER: Tackles: – G: 10; UA: 12;  A: 17; TOTAL: 29; TFL: 2.0; FF: 1;

“To stay healthy since I was out last spring and last season. Also, to play the whole season and be out on the field,” Furrier said.

“We are looking at him to become a more consistent player. Get him to be more of a full time starter,” Fairhead said.

“We are looking for leaders,” Fairhead said. “Shea Koch and Bryant Miller are doing a good job of making calls on the field. As a whole we are looking for fast, physical players.”

SAFETIES:     by Celeste Lee

Trelan Taylor, senior of La Mesa, Calif. HT: 5’10”; WT: 195 lbs. 2012 SEASON: Interceptions – 8; TOT YDS: 107; AVE/G: 13.38 TD: 1. Punt returns – 22; TOT YDS: 269; AVE/G: 12.23; TD: 1. CAREER: Interceptions – 10; TOT YDS: 149; AVE/G: 14.9; TD: 1. Punt returns – 61; TOT YDS: 578; AVE/G: 9.5; TD: 1.

“He will be a big play maker and knows defense well,” Assistant  Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Craig Jersild said.

“For the upcoming season, I want to lead the league and country in interceptions. Playing at that high intensity will encourage my teammates to match that level of play, making us the best,” Taylor said.

“The coaches and players look to me as one of the few guys to lead this team.  I humbly accept that.  The coaches have always told me that I need to step up and be a more vocal leader.  Even though it is in my nature to lead by example, I am willing to change in order to help the team.  I count on the rest of the guys on the team just like they count on me.  When adversity strikes, I will step up to the challenge and show my teammates that we are tougher than anyone out there.  And I think that is part of what being a leader is about,” Taylor said.

Jojo Phillips, senior of La Mesa, Calif. HT: 5’11”; WT: 205 lbs. 2012 SEASON: Kick returns – 1; TOT YDS: 10; AVE/G: 10. Tackles – UA: 8; A: 7; TOT: 15. CAREER: Kick returns – 1; TOT YDS: 10; AVE/G: 10; Rushing – ATT: 22; TOT YDS: 90; AVE/G: 4.1. Tackles – UA: 13; A: 9; TOT: 22.

“He was really good this year and I have high hopes for him this fall,” Jersild said.

“I will contribute to the team by making turnovers. I am not much of a vocal leader, but lead with actions more than words,” Phillips said.

Cole Montgomery, sophomore of Casper, Wyo. HT: 5’11”; WT: 195 lbs. 2012 SEASON: Interceptions – 1; Kick returns – 12; TOT YDS: 32; AVG/G: 2.7. Tackles – UA: 21; A: 21; TOT: 21; CAREER: Interceptions – 1; Kick returns – 12; TOT YDS: 32; AVG/G: 2.7. Tackles – UA:  21; A: 21; TOT: 21.

“He made big plays last year and will be more comfortable next season,” Jersild said.”

“I try to help the team do better as a team. It is only my second year, so I let Taylor and Sasse lead,” Montgomery said.

Pierre Etchemendy, senior of Douglas, Wyo. HT: 6’1”; WT: 200 lbs. 2012 SEASON: Tackles – UA: 20; A: 15; TOT:  35.  CAREER: Sacks – UA: 1; TOT: 1. Tackles – UA: 65; A: 37; TOT: 100.

“He will make a lot of plays,” Jersild said.

“I want to have at least one interception and create more pass breakups and tackles. Since I will be a senior, I will be a vocal leader for the defense,” Etchemendy said.

Clint Sasse, senior of Martin, S.D. HT: 5’11”; WT: 215 lbs. 2012 SEASON: Tackles – UA: 12; A: 19; TOT: 31.  CAREER: Tackles – UA:  41; A: 70; TOT: 111.

“He will make big plays that will help us,” Jersild said.

“First I want to have the defense win RMAC championship and I will play my best. I am a vocal leader that brings excitement to practices and helps everyone,” Sasse said.