Three games, one fumble recovery, no interceptions.
Through the start of the 2014-15 football season, the Ball State defense hasn’t forced the game-changing turnovers it did last year.
In the first three games last season, the defense forced six turnovers on its way to a 2-1 start.
“It’s something we’ve really talked about at great length,” defensive coordinator Kevin Kelly said. “Fumbles are sometimes luck, interceptions, we have to get more pressure so we can force the quarterback to short arm it.”
Ball State aims to average two takeaways a game, Kelly said, a far cry from the one turnover the defense has forced so far. The Cardinals' two starting cornerbacks, Eric Patterson and Darius Conaway, have yet to force a turnover this season. Neither were available for comment.
Head coach Pete Lembo said there isn’t a single player on defense he needs to seize control and become a playmaker, but rather he needs all 11 players to execute at the same time.
So far, the only turnover was a bad handoff against Iowa, hardly one forced from the pressure of Ball State's defense. The fumble was picked up by Blake Dueitt and returned for a touchdown, nearly fueling an upset.
With turnovers coming few and far between, Kelly isn’t picky about where the big plays come from.
“We need anybody who is in position to make a play to start making them,” Kelly said. “We’re 11 as one, whoever is in that particular gap during a run, in a zone or man-to-man against the pass, each and every guy has to start making plays when the situation comes.”
Ball State saw changes to its defensive personnel since its run to the GoDaddy bowl last season. Kelly replaced former defensive coordinator Jay Bateman when he left for Army, while top corner Jeffery Garrett graduated. Garrett finished the 2013-14 season with a team-high five interceptions, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Also missing from last's year defense is defensive lineman Nate Ollie who recovered one fumble.
To replace the missing turnovers, younger players such as redshirt sophomore Tyree Holder are being asked to step up. In limited time, he recorded one interception last year. He said the turnovers will come, the team just needs to focus more.
“Pay attention to more detail, watch more film, study our opponent more and good things will start happening,” Holder said. “It’s all about the eyes, make sure we’re focused and play the game.”
The first step toward forcing interceptions comes from the defensive line. Without pressure, the quarterback can sit comfortably in the pocket, scanning the field, allowing for breakdowns in coverage and making the secondary's job more difficult.
So far this season, the Cardinals have sacked opposing quarterbacks just three times, one of them coming from Patterson on a corner blitz, one from linebacker Nick Miles and just one from a defensive tackle, Smith.
Against Iowa, quarterback Jake Rudock had plenty of time to find receivers. The pressure increased against Indiana State, but not enough to throw signal caller Mike Perish off his game.
Kelly understands the importance of pressure and said it’s the first step in wreaking havoc on opposing offenses.
“I haven’t been impressed with our blitzing and we haven’t gotten enough pressure on the quarterback,” Kelly said. “When pressure comes, turnovers are next.”
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