As always, courtesy of Zac.
As you look at the numbers, here's a chart for reference to see how each grade would be categorized:
1-49 - poor
50-55 - below average
56-64 - average
65-70 - above average
71-79 - good
80-89 - very good
90-99 - outstanding
After a solid first half against Western Kentucky, Marshall’s defense was put in a precarious position as the second half unfolded. With the offense sputtering, the Herd’s defense was forced to defend a barrage of attacks from the Hilltoppers, of which against they had limited success. Despite the final score, the defensive grades were not as bad as I expected them to be. TJ Johnson received the highest grade among Marshall’s defenders with a 79.2. Now for a look at the rest of the defense.
Defensive Line:
As noted above, TJ Johnson led Marshall’s defensive line against WKU with a grade of 79.2 (65.1 run defense, 74.6 tackling, 85.1 pass rush) on 44 snaps. Esias Carpenter received the second highest grade with a 67.8 (62.4 run defense, 74.3 tackling, 69.3 pass rush) while playing 27 snaps. Elijah Alston was third having played 52 and grading at 63.5 (63.4 run defense, 74.7 tackling, 60.9 pass rush) and TyQaze Leggs was fourth with a grade of 62.4 (52.8 run defense, 61.4 pass rush) on 28 snaps. Other defensive line grade of note: Jamare Edwards – 59.2 on 42 snaps, Owen Porter – 56.2 on 46 snaps, Rodney Croom – 55.3 on 36 snaps, Koby Cumberlander – 54.6 on 50 snaps.
Linebackers:
Eli Neal received the highest grade among the Herd’s linebackers with a 73.6 (76.0 run defense, 65.0 tackling, 53.6 pass rush, 69.7 coverage) on 84 snaps. Abraham Beauplan followed Neal receiving a grade of 68.9 (71.1 run defense, 83.8 tackling, 64.4 pass rush, 64.0 coverage) while playing 64 snaps. Charlie Gray rounds out the linebacking corps coming in at 64.6 (69.3 run defense, 63.4 tackling, 58.2 pass rush, 60.8 coverage) on 20 snaps.
Secondary:
These are the grades that may come as a surprise, as they are higher than expected. Cory McCoy led Marshall secondary grading at 71.0 (60.3 run defense, 59.2 tackling, 55.8 pass rush, 73.3 coverage) on 83 snaps. Micah Abraham was next in line with a grade of 70.2 (64.1 run defense, 80.1 tackling, 70.0 coverage) while playing 84 snaps. Nazeeh Johnson also played 84 snaps and received a grade of 70.1 (64.0 run defense, 62.4 tackling, 70.5 coverage). Brandon Drayton played 84 snaps as well and graded at 66.6 (73.3 run defense, 86.6 tackling, 59.9 pass rush, 63.0 coverage). Joshua Bowers played 13 snaps and graded 62.6, while Steven Gilmore played 74 snaps and received a grade of 57.0.
A Look at CUSA’s Top Defensive Performers:
Top Graded Defensive Lineman in CUSA Week 13: Brandon Matterson from UTSA with a 96.2
Top Graded Linebacker in CUSA Week 13: DQ Thomas from MTSU with an 89.9
Top Graded Corner/Safety in CUSA Week 13: Jay Stanley from Southern Miss with a 93.9
As you look at the numbers, here's a chart for reference to see how each grade would be categorized:
1-49 - poor
50-55 - below average
56-64 - average
65-70 - above average
71-79 - good
80-89 - very good
90-99 - outstanding
After a solid first half against Western Kentucky, Marshall’s defense was put in a precarious position as the second half unfolded. With the offense sputtering, the Herd’s defense was forced to defend a barrage of attacks from the Hilltoppers, of which against they had limited success. Despite the final score, the defensive grades were not as bad as I expected them to be. TJ Johnson received the highest grade among Marshall’s defenders with a 79.2. Now for a look at the rest of the defense.
Defensive Line:
As noted above, TJ Johnson led Marshall’s defensive line against WKU with a grade of 79.2 (65.1 run defense, 74.6 tackling, 85.1 pass rush) on 44 snaps. Esias Carpenter received the second highest grade with a 67.8 (62.4 run defense, 74.3 tackling, 69.3 pass rush) while playing 27 snaps. Elijah Alston was third having played 52 and grading at 63.5 (63.4 run defense, 74.7 tackling, 60.9 pass rush) and TyQaze Leggs was fourth with a grade of 62.4 (52.8 run defense, 61.4 pass rush) on 28 snaps. Other defensive line grade of note: Jamare Edwards – 59.2 on 42 snaps, Owen Porter – 56.2 on 46 snaps, Rodney Croom – 55.3 on 36 snaps, Koby Cumberlander – 54.6 on 50 snaps.
Linebackers:
Eli Neal received the highest grade among the Herd’s linebackers with a 73.6 (76.0 run defense, 65.0 tackling, 53.6 pass rush, 69.7 coverage) on 84 snaps. Abraham Beauplan followed Neal receiving a grade of 68.9 (71.1 run defense, 83.8 tackling, 64.4 pass rush, 64.0 coverage) while playing 64 snaps. Charlie Gray rounds out the linebacking corps coming in at 64.6 (69.3 run defense, 63.4 tackling, 58.2 pass rush, 60.8 coverage) on 20 snaps.
Secondary:
These are the grades that may come as a surprise, as they are higher than expected. Cory McCoy led Marshall secondary grading at 71.0 (60.3 run defense, 59.2 tackling, 55.8 pass rush, 73.3 coverage) on 83 snaps. Micah Abraham was next in line with a grade of 70.2 (64.1 run defense, 80.1 tackling, 70.0 coverage) while playing 84 snaps. Nazeeh Johnson also played 84 snaps and received a grade of 70.1 (64.0 run defense, 62.4 tackling, 70.5 coverage). Brandon Drayton played 84 snaps as well and graded at 66.6 (73.3 run defense, 86.6 tackling, 59.9 pass rush, 63.0 coverage). Joshua Bowers played 13 snaps and graded 62.6, while Steven Gilmore played 74 snaps and received a grade of 57.0.
A Look at CUSA’s Top Defensive Performers:
Top Graded Defensive Lineman in CUSA Week 13: Brandon Matterson from UTSA with a 96.2
Top Graded Linebacker in CUSA Week 13: DQ Thomas from MTSU with an 89.9
Top Graded Corner/Safety in CUSA Week 13: Jay Stanley from Southern Miss with a 93.9
