Ted Roof at Minnesota

[StatTiger 3,188]

Last season, Coach Ted Roof was hired as the defensive coordinator for the University of Minnesota. During the prior season (2007), the Golden Gophers were the worst defensive team in college football. Allowing 518 yards and 37 points per game. Coach Roof was able to improve the Minnesota defense during the 2008 season as the Golden Gophers finished the season with a winning record and the 80th ranked defense in the nation.

The Golden Gophers went from allowing 518 yards per game to 384 yards and 37 points per game to 25 points. In 2007, Minnesota was 119th in total defense and 109th in scoring defense. Roof improved the Minnesota defense to 80th in total defense and 61st in scoring defense.

Yardage and Scoring Margins:

During the 2007 season, Minnesota’s opponents averaged 403 yards and 29 points per game on offense. Against the Golden Gophers, the opponents averaged 518 yards and 37 points per game or 116 yards and 8 points more per game than their normal average. During their 12 game season, the Minnesota defense held only 1 opponent below it’s seasonal average in yardage and only 2 opponents below their scoring average.

During the 2008 season under Coach Ted Roof, the Minnesota defense held their opponent to 16 yards above their season average and –1 point below their scoring average. On the season, the Gophers opponents averaged 367 yards and 26 points per game on offense. The Minnesota defense held their opponent to an average of 384 yards and 25 points per game.

384 yards and 25 points per game would still be a concern for most coaches but it was a huge improvement from 518 yards and 37 points per game allowed the season before. The 2008 Minnesota defense held 4 opponents below their yardage average and 6 opponents below their scoring average.

Forced-turnovers:

2007: 1 every 65.2 plays

2008: 1 every 28.2 plays

TD Ratio:

2007: 1 every 17.2 plays

2008: 1 every 25.7 plays

Big plays allowed:

2007: 1 every 28.5 plays

2008: 1 every 36.4 plays

Sacks:

2007: 11 from 430 pass attempts (1 every 39.1)

2008: 33 from 415 pass attempts (1 every 12.6)

[Tigermike 4,240]

Sounds encouraging, I knew the Minnesota D had improved under his leadership.

I am excited and optimistic about this entire staff.

WAR EAGLE!