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Blinn looks to carry defensive momentum into NMMI matchup

The Buccaneers hope to replicate strong defensive effort against Snow in Roswell, N.M.

Football

Blinn looks to carry defensive momentum into NMMI matchup

The Buccaneers hope to replicate strong defensive effort against Snow in Roswell, N.M.

The Blinn College football team will look to carry the momentum from one of its strongest defensive performances of the season into Saturday's critical conference matchup with New Mexico Military Institute.

The Buccaneers will face NMMI at 1 p.m. CST Saturday in Roswell, N.M.

Blinn (3-3 overall, 1-3 in Southwest Junior College Football Conference) defeated Snow College 20-14 last Friday to earn their first conference victory of the season. The Bucs' defense held the Badgers to 14 points, forced two turnovers, and recorded four sacks while making two crucial fourth-down stops in the fourth quarter.

Snow entered the game averaging 31 points per contest and 193 passing yards per game.

"I was really pleased with our team," Blinn head coach Ryan Mahon said. "I think it was a full team effort versus Snow. I was just really proud of them, the way they stuck together, the way they fought, the way they played, especially versus adverse conditions."

Blinn's defensive performance was especially important late in the game. After the Bucs were unable to pick up a key first down while trying to run out the clock, the defense returned to the field and stopped Snow on fourth-and-1 from the Blinn 7-yard line with 4:15 remaining.

The Bucs later forced the Badgers to turn the ball over on downs near midfield in the final minute.

"Even when we were trying to ice the game and couldn't get a key first down on offense, our defense came back on the field and made a big stop," Mahon said. "I'm super proud of them. We couldn't have won that game without them."

Defensive coordinator Danny Palmer credited his defensive assistants and players for making adjustments throughout the game based on Snow's offensive personnel.

"What I was really pleased with is that we stuck with our defense," Palmer said. "All of the coaches — Kenny Bramer, Steven Palmer and Nathan Jackson — started calling the defense from the sideline based on their personnel, which was a great choice."

Blinn waited to see which personnel groupings Snow put on the field before making its defensive calls. The adjustments helped the Bucs limit the Badgers to 93 passing yards, their lowest total of the season.

The Bucs also held Snow to 159 rushing yards on 50 attempts, an average of 3.18 yards per carry. Blinn recorded 85 tackles, including 7½ tackles for loss, along with a season-high 13 quarterback hurries and five pass breakups.

Freshman defensive backs Samir Richard and K'hrin Hollerman each intercepted a pass.

Blinn's defensive depth also played a major role. The Bucs frequently substituted along the defensive front, allowing players to remain fresh throughout the game.

"I like the way our players played at every position, and it took a lot of people," Palmer said. "We did a good job of substituting personnel, and everybody got a chance to contribute to the win."

Sophomore linebacker Brandon Moylan was among those who took advantage of an opportunity. With another linebacker unavailable for the game, Moylan stepped into a larger role and recorded five tackles, including four solo stops, 1 ½ tackles for loss and two sacks.

"I just had to make the most of my opportunity and be able to do my part as one of 11," Moylan said.

Moylan said the experience reinforced the importance of staying ready, regardless of a player's role.

"Everyone wants their opportunity and chance," Moylan said. "If you just stay prepared and be patient, that's a big key to success."

The defensive effort helped the Bucs earn a much-needed conference victory, but Blinn knows the challenge quickly shifts to NMMI.

"Every game is a playoff game for us right now," Mahon said. "That's how we're going about it. We have to make sure we focus on this next game, but we know what's at stake."

NMMI enters Saturday's matchup 3-3 overall and 1-3 in conference play. The Broncos opened the season 2-0 and were ranked in the NJCAA Division I poll before going 1-3 over their last four games.

NMMI presents a different challenge for the Blinn defense, averaging 316 passing yards and 98 rushing yards per game. Sophomore wide receiver Jaydn Wood leads the nation with 595 receiving yards and has seven touchdown catches.

Palmer said the Bucs will have to return to the fundamentals that helped them against Snow.

"We've got to stop the run and try to make them pass," Palmer said. "Like anything else, you've got to do the basic fundamentals. You've got to tackle, you've got to protect, and you've got to defend the edge."

Mahon said the Bucs will need the same level of focus and maturity it showed against Snow on the road against NMMI.

"We're going to have to have that same kind of effort," Mahon said. "We have to travel, so we have to make sure we're mature and handle our business, and make sure we're extra prepared. We have a really good conference opponent in front of us."

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 53 national championships since 1987. 
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Players Mentioned

Samir Richard

#8 Samir Richard

DB
6' 2"
Freshman
K

#14 K'hrin Hollerman

DB
6' 0"
Freshman
Brandon Moylan

#39 Brandon Moylan

LB
5' 10"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Samir Richard

#8 Samir Richard

6' 2"
Freshman
DB
K

#14 K'hrin Hollerman

6' 0"
Freshman
DB
Brandon Moylan

#39 Brandon Moylan

5' 10"
Freshman
LB