Knowles’ Knowledge OSU defensive coordinator jim knowles looks to have a successful year
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2020
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Column: Jim Knowles’ defense has the perfect make up for the Big 12 S ud eep Tum m a , Sports Editor, @As k tu m m a
Big 12, defense — two words that are sure to elicit a chuckle when used in the same sentence. We’ve all heard it before — the Big 12 sucks at defense, the Big 12 leaks points, the Big 12 is just an offensive league. While some have tried to debate otherwise citing that the offensive weapons are so strong in the conference, it makes defenses look worse. Whether that’s right or wrong, the fact is, it’s tough being a defensive coordinator in the Big 12 — a lot of points will be scored. Jim Knowles learned that quickly. When the third-year Oklahoma State defensive coordinator took the job in Stillwater, his defense got burned — repeatedly. Knowles, who was the DC at Duke in the ACC the previous season, coached the No. 22 ranked defense in the country in 2017. The next year at OSU, the Cowboys ranked No. 97. The aggressive style Knowles intended to bring to OSU led to good things — namely high sacks numbers in 2018 — but with the bevy of weapons it was going against, the overall numbers weren’t pretty. In 2019, Knowles really adjusted and made this defense into a formidable force — in relative terms. No one is expecting OSU to come out and shut TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2020
OSU defensive coordinator Jim Knowles at the Liberty Bowl
down opponents the way Alabama or Georgia will, but the Cowboys need to do enough on defense to put this offense in a position to win — and sometimes close out games on the strength of the offense. A prime example? The 34-27 victory against Iowa State. While OSU was in control for most of the game, the offense began to sputter in the fourth quarter. After ISU scored with about nine minutes left and the score was 27-27, the Cowboys went three-and-out. Then Malcolm Rodriguez had an interception returned for a touchdown. The next drive, OSU stopped and forced another three-and-out. Then the Cowboys, who had the ball near midfield, went for it fourth down, which resulted in a turnover on downs. ISU gets the ball with 2:43 left, down by seven. Two plays later, the Cowboys get another interception. But instead of bleeding the clock out, OSU went three-and-out again.
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Iowa State had one last shot to score — albeit with 32 seconds. OSU’s defense stepped up one last time and grabbed another interception to close out the game. That whole sequence shows you how the Cowboys’ defense stepped up when it needed to. And that’s what OSU will need in 2020. We’ve all heard the narrative with Tylan Wallace and Chuba Hubbard returning along with Spencer Sanders taking a step forward this season, but the defense is going to be equally crucial. OSU has all but one of its defensive starters returning. While the loss of cornerback A.J. Green, who signed with the Cleveland Browns, does hurt, this defense is more than equipped to take on the Big 12. The No. 1 reason? Versatility. It’s filtered in throughout the entire roster. Knowles implemented a 4-2-5 scheme on defense, but that’s almost transformed into a 3-3-5 package with one of those
four defensive linemen hovering as a “Leo” — a hybrid between a linebacker and defensive end. On that deep defensive line, true freshman Trace Ford emerged as the Leo. With his strength, athleticism and skillset, Ford is able to line up at defensive end, middle linebacker, even as a slot cornerback. And backup Brock Martin has even played in the same capacity. Then at linebacker, you have All-Big 12 selections Malcolm Rodriguez and Amen Ogbongbemiga. Both are sure-fire tacklers, both racking up 100-plus last year. Ogbonbegia also led this team with 15.5 tackles for loss last season. Rodriguez, who converted from safety, may not have prototypical size as a linebacker, but his strength and athleticism allow him to shoot gaps, track ball carriers and make plays. Then his defensive back-prowess gives you the luxury of putting him on a slot receiver, a tight end or running back. That sort of versatility
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helps you mix up coverages, schemes and play calls — because you don’t need to change personnel. Still, with a light box of only six guys, there may be some worry when it comes to stopping the run. But that’s where the safeties come into play. With a pairing of top-10 safeties Kolby Harvell-Peel and Tre Sterling along with the underrated Jarrick Bernard, there’s not only gobs of talent, there’s scheme versatility. Sterling played all over the field — in the box, in the slot, at free safety — and excelled in all facets. Harvell-Pell was a ballhawking “center fielder” as the deep safety, but he also showed the range and instincts to break on the ball and blow up plays. And Bernard played a lot of inside corner along with his normal safety duties. But with these safeties, you didn’t need to put in heavier packages to necessarily stop the run, you had guys who had the power and athleticism to do so. It gave Knowles the versatility to
be in a nickel defense at any and all times. Why is that important? Simply put, it’s Big 12. With these raging passing attacks, OSU can be prepared to drop eight into coverage or rush eight into the box — it can stop the run or stop the deep ball with the same package. The fact you can have four defensive linemen out there, only rush three and have Trace Ford drop into coverage, is a huge luxury. It allows OSU to be able to face a daunting passing attack without giving up yards on the ground. With all these athletic, versatile pieces, the Cowboys can do so many different schematic things. For example, there were many plays where they stacked eight in the box, only to pull four or five of them back in coverage — because they have the athleticism to get back to the spot without getting burned. I think every defensive coordinator in the Big 12 would go nickel almost every play if they could. With the dangerous weapons at receiver in this conference, containing them is priority No. 1. The issue is, if you do that, you give up a lot of size in the box. OSU has the pieces to make up for that. Knowles has constructed this system the right way, and we saw this defense really come together to end last season. It’s set to be even better in 2020.
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Horoscope
FOR RELEASE JULY 28, 2020
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis
By Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Todays Birthday (07/28/20). This year benefits your health, work and fitness. Practice with steady discipline for outsize results. Expect market and industrial surprises. Summer insights inspire a shift with health and fitness. Adapt to social barriers this winter, before discovering new love. Get your heart pumping. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Adapt to unplanned financial conditions. A profitable opportunity can have long-term benefits. Keep strengthening basic structural elements. Focus to grow family savings. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Collaborate to adapt to changes. Long-lasting benefits flow through a joint venture. Work together for valuable results. Follow plans made earlier. Rely on strong partners. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 7 — Navigate surprises around health and wellness. Benefit over the long-term from exercise and healthy routines. Eat the best food you can. Rest deeply. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 7 — Unscheduled interruptions disrupt your love life. Patience serves you well. Romance arises in conversation. Express your admiration and respect. Someone makes your heart skip a beat. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Keep domestic systems functioning. Something you’ve long dreamed about becomes available. Organize and clean. Prepare and research for a satisfying improvement. Get long-lasting quality materials. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 7 — A difficult situation is making you stronger. You’re amazingly creative and productive right now. Write and express your view. Sketch out your ideas. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Take advantage of favorable conditions for profits. An old dream comes back into view. Keep your customers satisfied. Provide excellent services. Generate positive cash flow. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Pamper yourself with time for your own passions. Savor a walk outside or a workout. Try a new style or look. Savor hot water and soap. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — Revise long-term plans for recent changes. Peaceful contemplation leads to an inspiring vision. Take notes. Craft a new mission statement. Breathe deeply and relax. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Cooperate with your community. Support a shared cause. Enjoy a connection with friends you haven’t seen in a while. Share resources, allies and connections. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Your courage makes the difference, especially at work. Associates see a great opportunity. Collaborate to take advantage. Prepare for a professional lucky break. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Explore options. Your investigation bears fruit. You’re making a good impression. A referral gets you past the red tape. Keep your objectives in mind.
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Solution to Monday’s puzzle
Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk
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ACROSS 1 Big name in farm equipment 6 Silly 10 Flow very slowly 14 __Valdez: oil-spill ship 15 Palm tree berry 16 Gucci of fashion 17 Disney World’s __ Center 18 *TV coverage of city events, say 20 Author of macabre fiction 21 Container weight 22 Start of a choosing rhyme 23 *Metaphorical boundary that shouldn’t be crossed 27 Creamy pastry 29 Paintings and such 30 *“That’ll be the day” 34 Amazement 37 Geologic time frames 38 Octogenarian’s 80, e.g. 39 Nobelist Wiesel 40 Drunkard 41 *Jerusalem prayer site 45 Scot’s cap 46 Honks at, say 47 *Phrase used by experts 53 Be mad about 54 Historical times 55 Library contents: Abbr. 58 Softcover book, and what the last words of the answers to starred clues can have 60 Censor 62 “__ miracle!” 63 “Got it!” 64 Middle East ship, perhaps 65 Marsh growth 66 Kings and queens 67 Word with laugh or dance DOWN 1 Thoughtprovoking
7/28/20
By Jerry Edelstein
2 Montreal MLBer before 2005 3 Like A+ work 4 Piglet’s joey pal 5 Tolkien talking tree 6 __ Lama 7 Nut from an oak 8 Gem surface 9 Acapulco aunt 10 Most sensible 11 Colleague of Ruth and Sonia 12 Astronomer Hubble 13 Sat for a photo 19 Suspicious 21 Actress Garr 24 McShane and McKellen 25 Little bite 26 “2001” computer 27 Female sheep 28 Half a toy train? 31 Fuel in a tank 32 Army NCO 33 Lawyer’s charge 34 Source of a ringing warning 35 Go limp 36 “Electric” fish 39 Big pitcher
Monday’s Puzzle Solved
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41 Lloyd or Paul of Cooperstown 42 Former U.K. recording giant 43 “Darn!” 44 N.Y. Mets’ division 45 Needle eye insert 47 Hoglike animal 48 Skype appointment 49 Thicket of trees
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50 Halt 51 Shaped like a rainbow 52 “Great” quintet 56 Ship’s spine 57 Quick-footed 59 Tot’s foodcatching chest protector 60 Hope or Newhart 61 Falsehood