Mississippi State defense showing signs of progress

Mississippi State’s defense faces another physical SEC foe this weekend when the Bulldogs embark on a road trip to Texas A&M, the team’s last road game of the season. Earlier this week, defensive coordinator Matt Brock met with the media to discuss that challenge among other topics:

Q: What stands out to you about the Texas A&M offense?
Brock: First of all their skill positions are extremely explosive. They have great, great skill. Their offensive line is obviously really good, as well, big up front and more athletic. Well-coached, obviously, like all Olines in this league are. They present all kinds of challenges for you and if you’re not doing what you’re supposed to do, having your eyes where you are supposed to have them and tackle well, they can create explosive plays really, really fast.

Q: What’s the challenge of playing at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field?
Brock: I don’t know defensively if it impacts you as much as offensively obviously because of the noise and everything. The only thing to me is if you allow it to distract you. But the noise factor is not the same on our side. To me it is just getting out there and not allowing, keeping your emotional control and doing your job within the hype that actually occurs in that type of atmosphere.

Q: What have you seen from the run defense lately?
Brock: I think it’s probably pretty simple. I thought we had more of an edge in the last six quarters and how we played the run. I thought also we’re not trading 1 for 1 and we’re more on the attack and not so concerned about where I am supposed to be and where I am supposed to fit. They are just getting off the ball and going. To me, that is what I saw with the first and second level of our defense.

Q: When it comes to giving up points late in the first half, what things are y’all working on specifically to correct that?
Brock: First of all if you just look at the breakdowns when it happens, whether it is two minutes or the first minute of the game, the breakdowns are the same. Obviously, in two minute (drills) there’s more tempo involved but in today’s game two minutes doesn’t mean a different scenario because everybody plays some tempo, too. So you are used to that more. I think it just comes down to executing and not being high and low in our execution and doing things we need to do whether it be getting the call or getting lined up or do we have our eyes where we are supposed to or attacking. Playing good defense is playing good defense. Playing bad defense is playing bad defense whether it’s the two-minute drill or the first drive of the game.

Q: You have rotated the corner spot opposite of Decamerion Richardson lately. Is that just by game situations?
Brock: It will be throughout the week and who practices better and honestly, within the game and who’s playing better. I did think DeCam played as an aggressive game as he’s played this year (against Kentucky) and I am proud of that.

Q: Receiver Ainias Smith of Texas A&M has been a terror in the SEC. Your thoughts about him?
Brock: I have great respect for him and he will even line up at fullback and put him in the I (formation). They line him up in the split back and he is the lead blocker. He does so many things for them and not your typical receiver. Obviously, he is extremely dynamic with the ball in his hands. He’s a football player. He does everything for them.

Q: Max Johnson beat y’all two years ago when he was at LSU. What have you seen from him over the past couple of year?
Brock: I’ve always thought he is an extremely dangerous quarterback. He’s got the arm strength and can put the ball where it needs to be. You got to be able to put pressure on him and we were able to do that last year. He is very skilled and is an intelligent football player, as well, with his heritage and genes and all that. So a great challenge for us, for sure.

Q: We saw linebacker John Lewis have an explosive play in the backfield. Are you waiting to see that happen consistently with him?
Brock: He is an explosive guy and he plays so hard. When an opportunity presents itself to make a play like that, it’s great to make it and that’s the thing. With John, John is the type of guy you never have to coach on effort. John is going to play 100 miles an hour. I am excited he’s played more physical and he’s done his job. Hopefully he continues.

Q: Shawn Preston keeps making plays in the secondary. Your thoughts on Shawn this season?
Brock: With all the experience Shawn has, he is starting to put it together and all that experience shows and it is hard to replicate experience. I am proud of what he is doing and we have to continue to build with him. He is a key piece back there.

Q: As the linebackers coach, too, how proud were you for Bookie Watson to be on the short list for the Butkus Award?
Brock: I just told him I am proud of him. He is the type of guy, I don’t care who coaches Bookie Watson, Bookie Watson is going to be a good player because of Bookie Watson. It is not about me, it is about him. I am so proud of what he’s done. So proud of what Jett (Johnson) has done and those guys come to work every single day with the same mentality.