Midweek Musings: Some Defensive Stats

It’s been clear to this point in the season that Devonte Fields is the best Horned Frogs defender. He’s quickly become the cornerstone to a defense that is trying to regain momentum from a very bad 2011.

Fields has 8 sacks on the season with 14 total tackles for loss. He’s forced 2 fumbles, recovering 1, and has recorded 32 total tackles on the season (19 solo).

However, he hasn’t been the only impact player on the defense this season.

Raise your hand if you thought at the beginning of the season that Joel Hasley would be far and away the tackles leader? He’s recorded 52 tackles (31 solo) this season, good for almost 7.5 tackles/game.

He’s recorded 7 tackles for loss, and two sacks as well, to go with two more quarterback hits. Standing tall next to him, Kenny Cain has also performed admirably.

He’s recorded 36 tackles (20 solo) including 2.5 tackles for loss and .5 sacks. Cain has also intercepted 2 passes and recovered a fumble (all in the Virginia game).

In the secondary, Elisha Olabode leads the way with 32 tackles (21 solo) to go with 3 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, a forced fumble and a recovered fumble.

The secondary as a whole has been relatively strong this year though. Jason Verrett has 27 total tackles (21 solo) and leads the team with 11 passes defended and 4 interceptions.

Not to be outdone, Sam Carter has recorded 3 sacks to go with 30 total tackles (20 solo) and 3 passes defended.

Total, the TCU defense has recorded 44 tackles for loss and 19 sacks on the season. That goes along with 33 passes defended, 14 interceptions and 6 forced fumbles.

Things will only get better for the D unit, as Kenny Cain is really the only senior that is receiving substantial playing time this season. So, in an ideal world (which Frog fans have learned this season is hard to come by), all of these guys, minus Cain, will come back next year with a year of Big 12 football under their belt, ready to take over the league.

Go Frogs.