Missing DeRuyter
Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007 @ 7:38 pm
How does a team rack up 702 yards of total offense and outgain your opponent by almost 300 yards and still get beat?
The answer might seem complex – impossible even – but it’s actually pretty simple if you consider Nevada’s 49-41 loss to Fresno State on Saturday.
The Wolf Pack gave up four touchdown runs of more than 50 yards, muffed a punt deep in its own territory, and had a field goal blocked and returned for a touchdown after a penalty negated a touchdown scramble by quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
The Wolf Pack lost a lot of talented seniors after last season, but the greatest loss may have come when defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter left for Air Force.
In DeRuyter, Nevada coach Chris Ault had a defensive mind in his own mold. DeRuyter was innovative while paying great attention to fundamentals.
The defense lost All-WAC player in safety Nick Hawthrone, cornerback Joe Garcia and defensive end J.J. Milan, but the Wolf Pack had plenty of talent returning to be the best unit in the conference.
Instead, the Wolf Pack has the worst run defense in the nation. The Wolf Pack’s offense has been more explosive than expected, but the defense and special teams have been terrible.
DeRuyter, on the other hand, has the Falcons defense in the top 25 in the nation. He was always an expert at dialing up pressure and having his squad prepared.
The Wolf Pack isn’t creating turnovers, pressuring quarterbacks, or tackling.
It’s hard to imagine the situation would be the same if DeRuyter were still in town.
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