Focused on details
UCF defense credits sharper attention to the small things for improved play
UCF’s Nate Evans (44) tackles South Florida’s Stanley Clerveaux during the Knights’ win over the Bulls in Tampa. Randy Shannon, spoken like a true coach, said he wants his players to improve on “everything” heading into Saturday’s American Athletic Conference Championship Game against Memphis. But he acknowledged his defense has definitely cured some ails.
“They’re continuing to grow,” Shannon said. “Just keep telling those guys to just keep growing each week and stay the course. Don’t ever, ever relax. Once you relax, that’s when bad things tend to happen.
“Guys [have] got to stay fundamentally sound. Keep working hard on the small things and not worry about the big picture.”
UCF has specifically excelled in run defense through the past fortnight. They held Cincinnati’s Michael Warren and USF’s Jordan Cronkrite, players who rank among the top 25 nationally in rushing yards per game, to a combined 111 yards on 28 carries.
The test becomes only more difficult during this week’s rematch with Memphis and its star running back, Darrell Henderson, who ranks second in the country in rushing yards (1,699), yards per carry (8.58) and rushing touchdowns (19).
“He’s got
alot of speed, great vision, physical,” defensive end Titus Davis said of Henderson. “He runs great behind his Oline. He waits to see when the crack comes and he hits it as fast as he can . ... He’s just a good all-around back. Any team in the NFL would be lucky to have him.”
The Knights have tape on Henderson as well as the confidence that they can slow him down, as they did when he gained only 27 yards on 10 second-half carries when these teams met in Memphis on Oct. 13.
Shannon said the value of that first look is reduced by the fact the Tigers are a “totally different” team now, one that uses more two tight end sets than ever before.
The Knights’ defense is different, too. Tackling, coverage, filling the right gaps, knowing and following their assignments — those are all areas the Knights say they have fortified with the help of little fixes that have made a huge difference.
Still, they are aware that memories of their past errors remain in the minds of many who judge UCF’s defense. The Knights are looking forward to changing more opinions during Saturday’s game that kicks off at 3:30 p.m.