Browsing: defense

The DA’s office dropped the charges against Scott and Nichols because they concluded that doing so would ensure justice. Rather than aiming for convictions, they saw the case as an act of “self-defense and defense of others,” committing to the proper application of the law.

“We always kind of talk about how you have to go down before you go up,” Aranda said. “It’s easier to talk about than to go through that. But that’s where we’re at. I just feel like the character of the coaches and our players and just the integrity of it all, for sure, is going to be tested because it’s tough and you’re inviting a bunch of hate. But we have the makings of a good team.”

China’s navy commissioned 17 new warships last year, the most of any nation. In a little more than a decade, it’s expected to have three aircraft carriers, giving it more clout than ever in a region of contested seas and festering territorial disputes.

Baylor’s hard-nosed, physical defense played up to its potential. After begin the laughingstock of the nation last season, this year’s unit rose up and backed up the hype with smashmouth, aggressive play to propel the team to its first Big 12 Title.

After giving up an average of 37.2 points per game last season, the Bears reduced that number significantly — allowing only 21.2 points per game this season. After a dominant showing against Kansas State on Nov. 17, 2012, this defense has turned its play around.

It was only a year ago when fans called for the firing of Baylor’s defensive coordinator Phil Bennett, as he faced constant scrutiny. The defense left a lot to be desired after giving up more than 519 yards per game through the first nine games of 2012.

Nov. 17, 2012, everything changed.

Flashback to Sept. 29, 2012: Baylor had just put up 581 passing yards, 700 yards of total offense and 63 points against No. 9 West Virginia… and lost.

In that game, the Baylor defense allowed West Virginia to pass for an astounding 656 yards and finish with 807 yards of total offense.

While high-powered offenses earn national attention, defense wins championships. Last year’s porous Baylor defense has been replaced with a stout defense that finds itself ranking among the elite squads in the NCAA.

Through the first four games of the Baylor season, the defense has allowed 321.3 yards per game– good enough to land Baylor inside the top 20. Baylor’s defense last year consistently ranked outside of the top 100 teams in FBS schools, which forced the offense to carry the load.

Despite being overshadowed by Baylor’s team defense, junior goalkeeper Michelle Kloss is making strides toward becoming an elite goalie.

With her team behind her, Kloss pursues her passions on and off the field. As a health science major, physical fitness is a big part of life. Growing up, she participated in many sports, but soccer always called her name.

No. 20 Baylor football has a tough task coming up this Saturday when they try to contain University of Louisiana-Monroe dual-threat senior quarterback Kolton Browning, who helped ULM score 42 points against the Bears last season in a 47-42 Baylor win.

This season, the Bears boast the second-best scoring defense in the entire NCAA by allowing 8.0 points per game.

It’s a fortress that scares other soccer teams and a barrier that gives the offense protection. Usually this type of protection would be the goalie, but with No. 7 Baylor it goes beyond that. It’s the combination of the defense and the goalie.

Baylor is first in the Big 12 in part because of the combination between the hard-nosed defense and the effective play of junior goalkeeper Michelle Kloss.

There is a great awakening in Baylor football and it has everything to do with the Bears’ improvement on defense. Picking up where it left off last season, the defense has made big plays sending a message to the offense that it can get the job done.

A new fear has developed as this hard-nosed, tough and physical defense begins to pose problems for the opposing team. Baylor is always a threat offensively with the ability to score points quickly, and in the past, opponents were able to keep pace. Those days are over. At least that’s what the defense hopes.

Baylor football did what they were expected to do and more in a 69-3 thrashing of FCS opponent Wofford on Saturday night in Waco.

While the Bears’ offense is expected to produce loads of points, most eyes were on the defensive side of the ball.

Baylor has historically been a poor defensive program. In the first half of last season, they ranked last in most FBS statistical categories.

Through seven games, Baylor allowed an average of 553.71 yards per game. That would have broken the all-time record for yards allowed per game if they continued at that porous pace.

The word “defense” has become taboo around Waco because of the Bears’ football woes. But the football teams’s defense isn’t the only squad under the microscope. The No. 18 Baylor basketball team is undergoing some fundamental changes on the defensive side of the floor.

There is no doubt that Baylor’s defense is the Achilles heel of the team. But why is the defense so awful? It sounds strange, but Baylor’s offense might be one reason the Bears have never had a vaunted defense. Is head coach Art Briles’ offensive philosophy hurtful to his defense? Baylor possesses a high-octane prolific scoring offense that any team in college football would be jealous of. But the quick-strike ability of the offense might be crippling the defense.

The old adage “defense wins championships” has held true throughout time. In the BCS top 15, 11 teams have a top 15-ranked defense. Last year, Alabama won the national title on the back of its defense, and it might win another this year. The Bears’ defense currently ranks dead last in points against, total defense, first down defense and third down defense.

Last year, Baylor’s RG3-led offense was historic. Points came in bunches at a rate of more than 45 per game. The defense, however, was a different story.

Baylor’s defense in 2011 gave up more than 37 points per game.