Wood chasing perfection in this area of Texas Tech’s defense
It was a standout defensive performance for Texas Tech in its 67-7 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, but defensive coordinator Shiel Wood is still chasing perfection.
The defensive line gave UAPB quarterback Christian Peters fits all game, particularly the starting four. Still, Wood thought they could have been better in one key area that would have made a difference.
“I thought overall, game one, we weren’t bad rushing the quarterback,” Wood told the media Monday. “I think as coaches and players we probably look back and say we could have done a little bit better job rushing as a unit at times. Where maybe there was a third-and-long, where they were able to extend the play a bit and scramble and he was able to find somebody open late in the play. I think we’ve done a little bit better job with our pass rush in that scenario. Hopefully that wouldn’t have occurred.
So we have a bit of work to do, but that’s natural I think after the first live ball game. Part of it is those guys are just so fired up. They want to go rush and get pressure, but you gotta be disciplined in anything you’re doing. You have rules you gotta fill in terms of containing the quarterback, so we’ll continue to work on that.”
Chasing perfection in pass rush lanes
The term “pass rush lanes” was a hot topic in Lubbock a year ago. Albeit, for more negative reasons.
A perfect pass rush rep doesn’t always end in a sack. Still, there are still roles that Wood feels need to be played in every rep for it to be successful.
“We’re rushing four guys, you’ve got two guys that are responsible for containing the near ear, near shoulder. You’ve got two guys that are responsible for near eye, near pec, in terms of the quadrants of the quarterback” Wood said, describing the pass rush responsibilities. “We want to be good as we’re affecting him in the pocket. Still maintaining our rush lane integrity so that he doesn’t escape out or have a big gap that he can step up in with a clean path. Those are some of the things that we look at in terms of a successful rush.”
Cornerbacks earning due praise
It was a true tandem effort by the defensive line and the secondary that forced the Golden Lions into troubled situations.
The trenches have, rightfully, been a major talking point since the end of the game. Wood is chasing perfection across the board, though. He was satisfied with how the secondary got the season rolling.
“I thought in general the corners were pretty good in terms of being square, being patient with their footwork,” Wood added. “That’s something that we’ve emphasized based on the technique we’re playing in coverage. We want to be patient in the technique. If you’re a deep zone defender, you know that overrides, you got to do whatever your job is based on your assignment. But when we’re able to be patient with our footwork, try to take away the access throws, or throws on the first look, that kind of thing. We feel optimistic about our ability to get the quarterback uncomfortable, get them off the spot, create pressure, sacks whatever the case may be. We can do those things. I think that as an entire unit, from a coverage standpoint, that’s something we’ve been emphasizing a lot. The corners did a really nice job on that.”
