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| Luke Melsop (98) is one of several freshmen contributing to the Blue Streaks' deep defensive line. Photo by Joe Colon, d3photography.com |
By Joe Sager
D3sports.com
Some teams struggle to find three or four starting linemen.
John Carroll has 11.
And all of them can see the field on any given day – and play.
The Blue Streaks keep their defensive linemen in motion throughout games in order to take advantage of different situations. While that's not usual, potentially sending out 11 different guys is.
"I don't think very many people are built that way. We have great depth," John Carroll head coach Tom Arth said. "We really want to make sure we put our players in position to use their skills and their abilities the best we can. Some guys are great against the run and we bring in some guys on third down to rush the passer, for example. It's a great opportunity for our players to go out there and do what they do well."
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| The Blue Streaks held Wesley to just 170 yards of offense in a second-round victory. Photo by Joe Colon, d3photography.com |
It's a philosophy that's worked. John Carroll (11-1) ranks third in the nation in total defense at 217.5 yards per game and sixth in scoring defense at 12.8 points per game.
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"I think the way college football is played now, you have to be able to play against a lot of different styles. Up front, we really want to treat it like a basketball team," John Carroll defensive coordinator Brandon Staley said. "Some games, you have to get big and have stout run defenders in there. Other games, if teams are spreading it out and throwing it, you want pass rushers in the games. We play 11 D-linemen up front. We take advantage of what they do well. I feel like it really helps these guys. Not only does it keep them fresh, it gets them doing what they do best. It helps that we have the best defensive line coach I've ever been around in Brian Cochran."
The players don't mind the frequent shuffling on and off the field. The defensive linemen embrace it.
"It makes playing the game a lot easier. Just having some guys you know you can count on – you don't have to bring your Superman cape every day," John Carroll senior captain Clayton Evans said. "It's a blessing to know another player can go in and make a play. We really pride ourselves in being a deep group. It's something we work toward being.
"The coaches always talk about knowing your role and taking pride in your role. As players, we really embrace that. We are like a family. We have pass rushers and run stoppers. Everyone embraces their roles."
Seniors Tommy Murtaugh and Dylan Hall, junior Todd Green, sophomores Ray Brown, Jimmy Thomas and Adam Thompson, and freshmen Conner Bogard, Tyler Frederick, Luke Melsop and Michael Schmidt join Evans as defensive linemen who see the field in various situations.
"It's something I like," said Brown, who leads the team with 12 sacks. "I don't have to be an ironman and go out and play 60-70 snaps a game."
While John Carroll's defensive line has been impressive, the Blue Streaks insist it's a collective effort.
"The reason why we have so much success is the way we play as a team and how our offense and kicking game are performing, too. We're having a great season because all parts of the team are operating at a high level," Staley said. "On defense, we're fortunate we have a veteran secondary. It buys that extra second for the pass rush. Our two linebackers – Mason McKenrick and Anthony Christopher – are having great seasons. I think that's what makes this group really special. Everyone is taking a lot of pride in their role, developing their role and performing at a high level."
John Carroll, the first team to beat Mount Union in the regular season since 2005, defeated Olivet (37-12) and Wesley (20-17, 2OT) to open the playoffs. The Blue Streaks had eight sacks in the overtime win over the Wolverines. They hope to keep the defensive pressure going this week when they visit UW-Whitewater (12-0) in Saturday's quarterfinal.
"Wisconsin-Whitewater is an excellent team and a great program," Brown said. "We think we can go out there and play with them, but we'll have to go out and play one of our best games so far."
Evans echoed that: "Whitewater is one of the top football programs in the nation. The whole team is excited about going up to Wisconsin and facing another huge test. It'll be one of the toughest tests we've faced yet. We are really, really excited about it."