Breaking down SIU's Defense & Special Teams

IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S TRYING TO CUP HIS BALLS

Defense Line:

Defensive End
55 Jemere Gainer (6-0, 225, So.)
33 James Cloud (6-2, 215, Jr.)
58 Emmanuel Fuller (6-2, 225, So.)

Defensive Tackle
96 Larry Luster (6-0, 310, Sr.)
90 Chris Arthurs (6-0, 285, So.)
98 Duke Pfitzinger (6-0, 240, Jr.)

Defensive Tackle
99 Andre Tillman (6-0, 285, Sr.)•
60 Tony Colletti (6-3, 270, So

Defensive End
56 Devon Reese (6-3, 235, Jr.)
92 Dolapo Adubifa (6-2, 245, So.)

The first thing that strikes me is the weight of the DEs. They're pretty light at 230 avg. They're probably mostly speed-rushing guys and we should be able to push them around and run outside. The DTs are short (most of them are 6'0"), but big (297.5 lbs avg). Only 1 returning starter not a lot of experience.

Another thing that strikes me is looking at DT Chris Arthurs on the depth chart. Fear just went in to my heart. I grew up with him playing on the Wheaton Rams youth league. We grew up and he went to HS on the southside. I still have nightmares (and a sore neck) from trying to block this man-beast.

Linebackers:

Outside Linebacker
51 Justin Thurston (6-0, 200, Jr.)
3 Chauncey Mixon (6-1, 215, So.)
39 Weithley Leonord (5-10, 210, Sr.)



Middle Linebacker
10 Brandin Jordan (5-11, 215, So.)•
43 Ryan Patton (6-0, 215, So.)
41Matt Speed (5-9, 220, Fr.)

Outside Linebacker
53 Trevor Moe (6-1, 235, Sr.)•
52 Todd Moe (6-1, 215, So.)
11 Fred Wright (5-9, 195, So.)

One word: UNDERSIZED. MLB Brandin Jordan won freshman of the year last year and had 107 tackles in the Gateway Conference. Not worried here.

Defensive Backs:

Cornerback
9 Anthony Williams (5-9, 170, Sr.)
6 Brandon Williams (5-9, 180, So.)

Strong Safety
8 Marty Rodgers (5-10, 180, So.)
28 Derrick Belton (5-10, 175, Jr.)
16 Lance Caldwell (6-1, 195, So.)

Free Safety
36 Clayton Johnson (5-10, 190, Jr.)•
20 Blake Sims (6-1, 200, Jr.)

Cornerback
2 Craig Turner (5-10, 195, Sr.)
1 Larry Taylor (6-0, 190, Sr.)

Here's where we have some fun. Everybody isn't that tall and our WRs will pretty much own this secondary. They have no safety depth with the 2 injured Strong Safeties in Belton and Caldwell. Even SS Rodgers wasn't healthy last week and could get hurt again. So...utter Huskie domination. Hear that Danny? It's your game to win.

Special Teams:

Punt Returner
2 Craig Turner (5-10, 195, Sr.)

Kicker
97 Scott Ravanesi (6-0, 195, So.)
25 Kyle Dougherty (5-10, 185, Fr.)

Punter
97 Scott Ravanesi (6-1, 195, So.)•

New kicker. Watch out for Punt Returns by Craig Turner. In his career, Turner has returned three punts for touchdowns. He was ranked seventh in the nation in punt return average last season (14.9).