Maurice Mullins to start on Saturday at QB
8/26/2003 5:20:00 PM | Football
JACKSONVILLE -- The Jacksonville State coaching staff has come up with a plan to improve a defense, which allowed 385 yards and 27 points per game last season.
When the Gamecocks take on Alabama A&M Saturday in Huntsville to open the 2003 season, the JSU starting defensive unit will be smaller and faster than in the past.
"Everything looks to be in place," said JSU head coach Jack Crowe. " We have installed a new defensive scheme, which is intended to put more speed on the field at one time."
The Gamecocks have switched to a 3-4 defense, which will allow players to do more reading each play. With the move, many JSU players now find themselves in different starting positions.
"We have really moved some guys around to get the right players on the field at one time," said Crowe on Monday at the team's weekly press luncheon. "We have secondary guys coming up front, inside guys moving out and outside guys moving in. We are not very big, so we have to be fast and have great technique."
With all of the changes on defense, Crowe added that the players have picked up on the new system quickly.
"They have done well in practice every day," Crowe said. "Of course, they have not practiced against Alabama A&M every day, but I have not had any indication that they are not ready to play. I think it (the new defense) has been an experiment that has worked out particularly well so far."
One thing that has helped ease the Gamecocks' transition to the new defense is the transfer of former Southern Mississippi linebacker Seante Williams. The 6-foot-7 junior from Pensacola, Fla. brings more speed to the Gamecocks at the bandit position.
"A player like Seante gives us a person at that position, outside linebacker, who we were looking for," said Crowe. "He has adjusted well."
JSU rallied for a 20-17 win over the Bulldogs during last year's season opener at Paul Snow Stadium. A&M scored all 17 points in the first half before the Gamecock defense came through with a shutout in the second half.
When the Gamecocks take on Alabama A&M Saturday in Huntsville to open the 2003 season, the JSU starting defensive unit will be smaller and faster than in the past.
"Everything looks to be in place," said JSU head coach Jack Crowe. " We have installed a new defensive scheme, which is intended to put more speed on the field at one time."
The Gamecocks have switched to a 3-4 defense, which will allow players to do more reading each play. With the move, many JSU players now find themselves in different starting positions.
"We have really moved some guys around to get the right players on the field at one time," said Crowe on Monday at the team's weekly press luncheon. "We have secondary guys coming up front, inside guys moving out and outside guys moving in. We are not very big, so we have to be fast and have great technique."
With all of the changes on defense, Crowe added that the players have picked up on the new system quickly.
"They have done well in practice every day," Crowe said. "Of course, they have not practiced against Alabama A&M every day, but I have not had any indication that they are not ready to play. I think it (the new defense) has been an experiment that has worked out particularly well so far."
One thing that has helped ease the Gamecocks' transition to the new defense is the transfer of former Southern Mississippi linebacker Seante Williams. The 6-foot-7 junior from Pensacola, Fla. brings more speed to the Gamecocks at the bandit position.
"A player like Seante gives us a person at that position, outside linebacker, who we were looking for," said Crowe. "He has adjusted well."
JSU rallied for a 20-17 win over the Bulldogs during last year's season opener at Paul Snow Stadium. A&M scored all 17 points in the first half before the Gamecock defense came through with a shutout in the second half.
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