Defense helped restore team confidence ASU Hornets defense fills seats

Photo: Brandon Averett

By Josh Moon, gannett.com

Alabama State cornerback Brandon Averett is a realist. He knows that in college football, especially on the I-AA level, no one shows up to watch good, hard-nosed defensive struggles.

"People want scoring," said Averett, a preseason all-conference selection in the SWAC. "It's like the saying goes, defense wins championships, but offense sells tickets."

Normally, Averett would be right.

But that's not the case at ASU.

Instead, the Hornets are putting fans in the Cramton Bowl seats almost exclusively with their defense. Attendance, after Saturday's game, promises to be the highest it's been in at least four years.

"It is a little weird that people are so into us playing defense," Averett admits. "I still think they want offense. I just believe they're happy that we're winning ball games, and they know we're a part of that."

Actually, the ASU defense is pretty much the reason for the wins.

In three games, despite being put in bad position after bad position by the offense, the ASU defense is still holding its own. It's ranked in the top four in every major defensive category, including a second-place ranking in total defense.

And to be fair to the ASU defensive players, their rankings are a little skewed thanks to the offense. Through three games, the Hornets have allowed opposing offenses just two touchdowns. And one of those came after an ASU fumble, which set up a 9-yard scoring drive.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again, the defense is our backbone," head coach Reggie Barlow said. "The way those guys have played after the position we've put them in some instances is amazing. I told every-one before the season that if this is going to be a championship-caliber team, the defense is going to have to carry us there. It's that simple."

The defensive players were listening.

"Coach put it on our shoulders, on our backs, and we're carrying that load," ASU rover Rechard Johnson said. "We don't mind. It is a little frustrating sometimes. But this is a team sport, and you're only as good as the guy next to you. We're playing with a lot of confidence and the offense is still trying to work some things out. That's fine. We know those guys will get it going."

Why Johnson or any of the ASU defensive players would believe that isn't clear. The Hornets have had offensive problems since the day quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and running back Keldrick Williams walked off the Cramton Bowl playing field for the last time in 2005.

Last year, the offense was a disaster most of the season, as ASU ranked in the bottom three in almost every major offensive category. It managed just 18 points per game and just over 100 yards per game passing.

But while that put an incredible strain on the defense last year, it also helped it get better.

"We're kind of used to playing this role now," Averett said. "We sort of went through this last year and I think it helps a lot. We know our schemes and what's expected of us. That makes a big difference."

And while he knows the defense has been the difference between a 3-0 start and an 0-3 start, Averett isn't ready to concede that his group is putting butts in the seats.

"I'm sticking to the saying," he said, with a smile. "Maybe we can change. That would be cool. But I don't think so. People like scoring too much."