Veteran Leadership: How Princeton's Defensive Line Has Helped Stymy Opponents

You could see the smile from underneath his mask as he was looking at the whiteboard in his office.

Senior Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator Steve Verbit was rattling off the number of players on the defensive line with experience.

He moved on to the linebackers and ran off a few more names.

12.

That's the number of players he finished off with.

"Our expectations for the defensive line unit (and linebackers) were high because the game is about experience," said Verbit. "It's about a mesh with the team. When you know where the guy on the right and the left of you is going to be, it breeds confidence amongst the individuals."

Princeton's defense has been outstanding in its first three games this season. It's No. 1 in the entire NCAA FCS in scoring defense (2.3), rushing yards allowed (2.7), team sacks per game (5.3), third in tackles for loss (9.3), fourth in fourth-down conversion percentage defense (12.5%), fifth in third-down conversion percentage defense (26.1%) and seventh in team passing efficiency defense (101.94).

Seven players have recorded a sack including four on the defensive line.

That group runs 17 deep. There are not many empty seats in the film room when it gets together. Nine players among the defensive line are juniors or older.

"Anytime you have a veteran group, it makes it more fun in the room because we, the coaches, aren't the only ones speaking," said Verbit. "When you present a plan, you get their input. Sometimes, we (as coaches) love to draw things, but that's all we do. The players are the ones going to class and are thinking about a lot of different things, so they keep us grounded in terms of the back and forth with the things that are doable."

"Having so many upperclassmen is a blessing for us," said Uche Ndukwe, who's already amassed a career high in tackles for loss (5.5) and sacks (4.5). "Sometimes when I'm watching something, Michael (Azevedo), Alex (Kilander) or Tola (Banjoko) will chime in and give you advice. The people who hold you accountable for the smallest things can make a difference for the guys who are getting game reps and the younger players too."

"It's definitely interesting because this is the most defensive linemen we've had in the room," said Samuel Wright II. "It's interesting having a full room because the dynamics are different, it's each guy helping each other out."

Ndukwe, when asked to point out a player who's stood out so far, wouldn't pick one person.

He went through the entire defense, much like his defensive coordinator did.

"I don't really think that's how our defense works," said Ndwuke when asked that question. "It's such a team effort. I'm proud and honored to play with all my teammates, not just my defensive line mates. It's our linebackers (Jeremiah Tyler, James Johnson, Anthony Corbin, Daniel Beard), our great coverage with the two of the best athletes in the Ivy League in Delan (Stallworth) and Christian (Brown) along with Trevor (Forbes) and Michael (Ruttlen, Jr.), that's why we get sacks."

Verbit couldn't pick a standout player either.

"That's really hard to say," as he stares as his board with the names he listed earlier. "Over the last two years, each guy has worked so hard. They got to spend a lot of time together, train and mature together from a physical and emotional standpoint. Our expectations were high for each one of them."

The longest tenured member of the coaching staff then did something unexpected.

He went back to the 1500s and dropped in a Michelangelo quote.

"The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark."

That's why the goals are each player are set so high and that's why he couldn't pick just one standout.

As a freshman, it wasn't easy for Wright when dealing with Coach Verbit's expectations.

"I thought he was picking on me," said Wright about Verbit, who's been on the staff for seven of Princeton's 12 Ivy League titles. "It was really because he saw lot more in me then I saw in myself. Looking back on it, I'm grateful for the experience."

Wright came into his own during his first year, playing in seven games. He contributed 11.5 tackles for loss combined in his next two years, earning second-team All-Ivy honors in 2019.

The veteran leadership of the defensive line really shined as Princeton took on Columbia.

Coming into the game, the Lions' Dante Miller (208) and Ryan Young (188) provided an outstanding 1-2 punch, averaging a combined 6.4 yards per carry. Against Princeton, the two totaled up just 38 yards on 19 carries. The longest run for the Lions in the game was seven yards.

The Tigers won the game, 24-7, but the score was not indicative of how close the game was.

It was 10-7 as the fourth quarter got underway. Columbia had the ball after a Princeton punt. On third down, Ndwuke collected a sack to end the drive. Collin Eaddy scored on the next Princeton possession. The Tigers' defense forced another three-and-out before Eaddy's second touchdown run of the game put the contest out of reach.

What was the sense on the sideline during a close game?

"No worries," said Wright. "There was an understanding that we were playing well, but we had more to give. How we played after that touchdown we allowed showed that mentality."

After their touchdown, the Lions gained just 27 yards on their next four drives.

"There's no sense of panic," said Verbit. "It's our responsibility to stop the opponent no matter where the drive starts. We said it's our time to shine. This is why you play defense."

Safe to say, the defensive line lived up to the responsibility.

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results