Published: November 15, 2008 12:21 am         

Indiana State tackle numbers subject to interpretation

TERRE HAUTE — Indiana State linebackers Quinton Scott and Jayden Everett are ranked first and second in the Missouri Valley Football Conference in tackles per game.

By a country mile.

Scott averages 10.6 tackles per game, Everett is at 10.4. Their nearest pursuer is Illinois State’s Kelvyn Hemphill, who averages nine tackles even.

Impressive totals, but, as with anything Indiana State football related, there’s a glass half-empty and a glass half-full aspect to the tackle numbers.

“It’s a two-fold deal. Yes, it’s good that they’ve made these tackles, but no, it’s not good because it means that our defensive linemen aren’t getting off and making plays. It falls on our linebackers and safeties. We need more linemen getting penetration to get off the block and make tackles,” Indiana State coach Trent Miles said.

Everett, who is down to two games left in his collegiate career, sees the positive in the tackle numbers. Everett is realistic enough to know that this season is about program-building, and if there’s one tangible aspect of progress, i.e., the tackle numbers, it’s a sign that ISU is moving in the right direction.

“It’s going to be exciting to see what these guys do when I leave. The licks that we’re taking now is not for nothing,” Everett said. “Coach Miles really has changed it around. We’re still losing games and that sucks, but I told the guys that as a senior I want to win every game, but I think the bigger picture of this experience and this season is to change things around. The tackle numbers are a victory for all of us.”

Everett’s remarks are indicative of the leadership qualities Miles is looking for in all of his players, but who has found it in his senior middle linebacker.

“Jayden’s done a great job of being a leader for us. He does everything by example to keep everyone together,” Miles said. “He was in tears when he couldn’t play the North Dakota State game. He’s been a leader for us on and off the field.”

It is isn’t just Everett and Scott that have filled gaps to pile up numbers. Fellow linebacker C.J. Cook also has been effective when he’s been able to play due to injuries for both Everett and Scott (last week at Youngstown State, Scott injured his ankle), Cook has 31 tackles in part-time duty. ISU defensive backs Donye McCleskey and Alex Sewall also are in the league’s top 15 in tackles.



• UNI visits — Everyone of ISU’s tacklers will have to be at peak performance today as Northern Iowa has been the class of the league to date.

The No. 4-ranked Panthers (9-2, 6-1) seek their second consecutive league crown and can clinch at least a tie for the MVFC championship if they beat the Sycamores today.

With rain forecast and temperatures expected to be near-freezing, the conditions play right into UNI’s desire to grind the ball offensively. Corey Lewis averages 94.7 yards per game and has six touchdowns. He is complemented by Derrick Law, who is good for 49.7 yards.

Miles said the key to keeping UNI’s offense off the field is elementary … keep ISU’s offense on it. ISU has averaged only 12 first downs per game in conference action. Making life even more difficult, UNI has not allowed a touchdown in eight quarters of league play.

“The big thing is being able to move the football. Too many three-and-outs for our offense leads to short fields for our defense and we can’t do that,” Miles said. “We have to generate first downs to get points on the board to help the defense.”

ISU is done with its road schedule and the UNI game is the first of two games to finish the season at home. Everett is hoping the lessons ISU learned after it played four of five on the road, the Sycamores progressively got better in their last two road games in particular, have a payoff at Memorial Stadium.

“Being on the road, friendships got better, morale got better, I think as a team, some guys have picked up the slack when guys have been hurt, as I was at North Dakota State,” Everett said. “I think we came together.”