‘Violent’ defense, ‘complicated’ offense: UNM football players describe schemes midway through spring practice

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Apr. 13—In so many ways, spring practice is a time of mutual admiration. Run into the same guys for five, 10, 15 practices and there’s going to be a degree of respect for what the other side is up to.

And after Saturday’s closed door scrimmage, New Mexico was no different. Case in point:

“This is how defenses should be,” tight end Trace Bruckler said. “They just play with their heads on fire — you know, they’re always making noise after plays … (Defensive coordinator Nick Howell) does a great job getting the mentality built through those guys. And I like the style that they’re playing, (the) physicality — just playing tough defense.”

“I’m seeing a very complicated offense — which is great to see,” linebacker Dimitri Johnson said. “And I feel like, as a defense, seeing this early is helping us prepare to see different types of offense during the season. We’re seeing different looks from the offense and it’s very helpful, because when we see basic stuff from other teams, it’s going to be so much faster for us and we’re going to be a team that’s fast, hungry and aggressive.”

Head coach Bronco Mendenhall said on Thursday there’s been progress daily for a program that’s still a “work in progress.” But after nine practices, both the offense and defense are growing comfortable in new schemes and players were more than happy to discuss their roles within them.

DefenseFrom what’s been seen, UNM’s defense projects as a 3-4 base that places a premium on flexibility with a traditional nose tackle and two accompanying defensive ends. Along with the Mike (in a 4-3 or UNM’s previous 3-3-5, the middle linebacker), Sam (strong side) and Will (weak side) linebackers, Johnson has welcomed his workload at the Buck (“weaker outside linebacker,” in his terms) spot after spending more time as an edge player last season.

“Which was…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/violent-defense-complicated-offense-unm-035900689.html

Author : Albuquerque Journal, N.M.

Publish date : 2024-04-14 03:59:00

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