The numbers speak for themselves. Although there are a few considerations:
- Run heavy Navy. Over 300 yds but Navy was never in the game. Navy played AF next who is used to defending triple option and could see Navy couldn't pass football
- Appy State has a really good Oline and really good backs
- Defense only had 4 days recovery after exhausting ECU game
- The tempo has hurt the defense
- The turnovers before Appy were a factor too as an already tired defense forced to get back on field quickly
- Missed tackles at the LB/secondary level may be impacted by fatique/lack of depth.
I would like to see staff vary the tempo. Go fast, slow it down for a few plays, go fast again etc. This, imo, would really keep the defense off guard. We have to be better in redzone or teams will protect more vs big plays and be happy to allow us to try FGs. If the things listed above are really big factors than varrying tempo and practice tackling/building depth should eliminate most of those. Losing those 2 guys does impact the talent/depth. Both were beasts. Lack of pass defense hurts vs rush too because pass rushing/covering is more exhausting than playing run. If the DBs are taught not to play/attack ball than we might as well recruit 6'3 WR types to play pass coverage.