Secondary controls Elon passing game
by Steve Behr Sports Editor
By Steve Behr
sports@wataugademocrat.com
Appalachian State safety Mark LeGree was named the Southern Conference's Defensive Player of the Week by the league Monday.
LeGree intercepted two passes that set up two touchdowns in the Mountaineers' 27-10 victory over No. 10 Elon, which was ranked No. 6 at the time. Appalachian State won at least a share of the Southern Conference championship and earned the league's bid into the FCS playoffs.
But it was a team effort for the entire Appalachian State defense, which flustered the Elon offense into three interceptions and five sacks. Elon, the second-ranked offense in the SoCon going into the game, was limited to just 270 yards in total offense and 212 in passing.
Elon quarterback Scott Riddle completed 20-of-34 passes, but did not throw a touchdown pass until the fourth quarter.
"They're the best we've played all year," Riddle said. "They were very good."
The Mountaineers did not completely shut down Elon's All-American receiver Terrell Hudgins. The senior caught 10 passes for 127 yards, but did not find the end zone.
He also did not make many plays that could be classified as "backbreakers" to the Mountaineers. Appalachian State coach Jerry Moore said it was important for the secondary to make sure that when Hudgins, or any other receiver caught a pass, they didn't turn it into a big play after the reception.
"I think all four of our defensive coaches - they were well prepared," Mountaineers Moore said. "They had a good scheme and you're not going to go out there and shut those guys down. You're not going to keep that 19 guy (Hudgins) from catching the ball. What we didn't want them to do was catch it and run."
"They do a lot of double moves," cornerback Cortez Gilbert said of Elon's receivers. "If we allowed them to get into their routes, and if they make a double move, then we can break on them. If they get a slant for a five-yard gain, just make sure to make the tackle."
LeGree's first interception helped set up the Mountaineers' first touchdown, a 15-yard Armanti Edwards run.
On the play, Gilbert did not allow Hudgins a clean break off the line of scrimmage, which threw off the timing of the play.
Hudgins was well behind Riddle's pass, which LeGree intercepted at the ASU 48-yard line.
"I knew Mark was going to be over the top," Gilbert said. "With Mark over the top, I knew I could be more aggressive."
The Mountaineers' secondary was helped by a pass rush that produced five sacks. However, the defensive line was helped by the way Appalachian State covered Elon's receivers, which made it difficult for Riddle to get rid of the ball.
"I think it attributed so the coverage at times when Scott had time to throw it and couldn't get rid of it and had to scramble," Elon coach Pete Lembo said. "It's a very good defense. They don't have to blitz much because they can lock you down and give that front four an extra quarter of a second or a half second to get there."
Defensive tackle Anthony Williams had two of those sacks and had a message for the secondary.
"Those guys in the (defensive) backfield covering guys three, four and five seconds, I appreciate it," Williams said. "Sometimes, it doesn't happen too quickly."
sports@wataugademocrat.com
Appalachian State safety Mark LeGree was named the Southern Conference's Defensive Player of the Week by the league Monday.
LeGree intercepted two passes that set up two touchdowns in the Mountaineers' 27-10 victory over No. 10 Elon, which was ranked No. 6 at the time. Appalachian State won at least a share of the Southern Conference championship and earned the league's bid into the FCS playoffs.
But it was a team effort for the entire Appalachian State defense, which flustered the Elon offense into three interceptions and five sacks. Elon, the second-ranked offense in the SoCon going into the game, was limited to just 270 yards in total offense and 212 in passing.
Elon quarterback Scott Riddle completed 20-of-34 passes, but did not throw a touchdown pass until the fourth quarter.
"They're the best we've played all year," Riddle said. "They were very good."
The Mountaineers did not completely shut down Elon's All-American receiver Terrell Hudgins. The senior caught 10 passes for 127 yards, but did not find the end zone.
He also did not make many plays that could be classified as "backbreakers" to the Mountaineers. Appalachian State coach Jerry Moore said it was important for the secondary to make sure that when Hudgins, or any other receiver caught a pass, they didn't turn it into a big play after the reception.
"I think all four of our defensive coaches - they were well prepared," Mountaineers Moore said. "They had a good scheme and you're not going to go out there and shut those guys down. You're not going to keep that 19 guy (Hudgins) from catching the ball. What we didn't want them to do was catch it and run."
"They do a lot of double moves," cornerback Cortez Gilbert said of Elon's receivers. "If we allowed them to get into their routes, and if they make a double move, then we can break on them. If they get a slant for a five-yard gain, just make sure to make the tackle."
LeGree's first interception helped set up the Mountaineers' first touchdown, a 15-yard Armanti Edwards run.
On the play, Gilbert did not allow Hudgins a clean break off the line of scrimmage, which threw off the timing of the play.
Hudgins was well behind Riddle's pass, which LeGree intercepted at the ASU 48-yard line.
"I knew Mark was going to be over the top," Gilbert said. "With Mark over the top, I knew I could be more aggressive."
The Mountaineers' secondary was helped by a pass rush that produced five sacks. However, the defensive line was helped by the way Appalachian State covered Elon's receivers, which made it difficult for Riddle to get rid of the ball.
"I think it attributed so the coverage at times when Scott had time to throw it and couldn't get rid of it and had to scramble," Elon coach Pete Lembo said. "It's a very good defense. They don't have to blitz much because they can lock you down and give that front four an extra quarter of a second or a half second to get there."
Defensive tackle Anthony Williams had two of those sacks and had a message for the secondary.
"Those guys in the (defensive) backfield covering guys three, four and five seconds, I appreciate it," Williams said. "Sometimes, it doesn't happen too quickly."