As it turned out, the new look defense seems to work with the No. 1 unit in Purple holding the White squad to just 123 total yards in the 28-17 Purple win.
Standup defensive end Kadero Terrell, who had five tackles and a sack between both teams, outlined the defensive scheme as one that will create a lot options for the defense.
"It's basically a defense set up to make a lot of plays," Terrell said. "If you do your assignment, you're going to make a lot of plays. The coaches set it up to where we're always running to the ball 100 percent of the time and making the tackles."
With a third safety on the field, the Wildcats were able to quickly switch between defending the pass and the run. Both Courtney Herndon and Craig Boswell lined up in the third safety spot and combined for four tackles. Herndon also snagged an interception, which set up a second-quarter touchdown.
"The safety is there to play the run and the pass," Terrell said, "and all of them have been doing really good at that. I feel like that's a big benefit for us."
Sophomore safety Tysyn Hartman said the debut of the defense seemed to go pretty well.
"I think we executed pretty well early on and stopped the (White) on a lot of three-and-outs," Hartman said. "Everybody was executing and filling the holes, filling the gaps."
Purple linebacker Alex Hrebec led both teams with 19 tackles. Teammate John Houlik had nine.
Besides the defensive backs and linebackers, the new scheme also seemed to free up the defensive line to make more play in the backfield.
Sophomore Brandon Harold led the D-line with nine tackles and three sacks, while Daniel Calvin had five tackles and one sack.
Harold, who was moved from end to tackle last season, said he was happy to be back at the end position because he felt it hindered his performance a year ago.
"I prefer D-end and Joe Bob (Clements) has taught me things that are making the position a lot of fun, a lot easier, so I am pretty comfortable right now," Harold said.
Some of the biggest benefits from the defense might have come from the White team. Made up of what would be considered the backup players, the White defense recorded 32 of 82 tackles from the safety position.
White team safety Jase Hartenbower said executing the defense has been about learning all the ins and outs that come with it.
"All defenses once you get to this level can be very complicated," Hartenbower said. "You got to have your reads at certain times and everyone has to know what they're doing, but you just have to learn it and then it slows down you get more comfortable."
