BOONE, N.C. - Tenacity and consistency are just some of the words that describe last season's Appalachian State Football defensive backs unit.
The 2015 unit played a pivotal role in allowing only 10 touchdown passes, which tied for the fifth-fewest scores in the nation through the air. Only Northwestern, Wisconsin, Michigan and Boston College allowed fewer touchdown tosses.
Last season's defensive backs group were intricate in Appalachian being one of the top defenses in the nation, as it ranked first in the nation in red zone defense (.636), 12th in interceptions (18), 14th in points allowed (19.1) and 14th in passing yards allowed (182.). Diving in deeper into the numbers, the Mountaineers allowed zero touchdown passes through the air in seven games while allowing one or fewer in 11 contests, and holding quarterbacks to 200 yards passing or less in eight games.
The consistency that led to the Mountaineers finishing 11-2 including a bowl win last season comes down to one thing, doing your job. “It's about doing your job and not trying to do something extra, because when you do something outside of your role, that's when you allow big plays, miss tackles and busted coverages,” stated Brown. “We did a great job of taking care of our responsibilities last season and you could tell by the way we played.”
Senior cornerback Mondo Williams and his teammates can account for what coach Brown preaches during practice every day, knowing 2016 has the potential to be a special season. “We had a very good season as a unit, but we know we can be even better forcing more turnovers and getting deflections.”
Williams finished with a solid season tallying 32 tackles, recording two and four deflections in his debut campaign for App State. The mainstay at corner won't be the only one that will play shutdown coverage, as Tae Hayes and Brandon Pinckney are anticipating big seasons. Hayes came onto the scene as a true freshman where he recorded 20 tackles with an interception and four pass breakups. Pinckney was slated to start going into 2015 but a leg injury during fall camp sidelined him for the season. Clifton Duck is turning some heads in practice with multiple interceptions and pass breakups.
Do-it-all senior safety Alex Gray (Suwanee Ga./Peachtree Ridge), who had 53 tackles, two interceptions and 1.5 tackles for loss, is excited for what the core will bring after a successful camp. “Camp was great for our group,” said Gray. “We've all developed in each and every way, learning to play faster and being able to read our keys.”
Partnering up with Gray to form a hard-hitting and dangerous combo in the backfield of the defense, A.J. Howard is back for his junior season. Howard compiled 35 tackles and half-a-sack in 13 games.He hopes to mirror his freshman season where he came up with 65 stops and a forced fumble.
What's even scarier is the depth Appalachian brings at defensive back, with Austin Exford, Desmond Franklin and Josh Thomas. All three student-athletes produced during fall camp and will get the chance to show what they can do.
No matter whose on the field at defensive back, whether its safety or cornerback, you can expect a tenacious and consistent type of play, which is what the Mountaineers will need to stop Tennessee next week in Neyland Stadium at 7:30 p.m. (SEC Network) in Knoxville.
