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Roundtable Sports
PFF Grades: Indiana's Top Defensive Performers In Win Over Minnesota
- Story byRoundtable Sports
- PFF Grades: Indiana's Top Defensive Performers In Win Over Minnesota
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
When you look at the final score in Indiana's 23-16 win over Minnesota, it's clear that the Hoosiers' defense played a major role in securing another victory. Curt Cignetti and Co. held the Golden Gophers to just 215 total yards, including only 120 through the air. Indiana also recorded four sacks, 11 tackles for loss and forced a turnover. Minnesota managed just 10 first downs and converted only three of its 15 third-down opportunities. Despite some offensive struggles, Indiana's defense consistently made plays and helped the Hoosiers improve to 8-1.
In a close game like Saturday's, using a tool like Pro Football Focus allows us to see what happened on a player-by-player basis and gives some insight as to how it really went. It's not gospel, but there are some things that just don't show up in the box score that can tell another part of the story.
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Top Three Defensive Performers (25 snap minimum)
1. DT Tyrique Tucker - 77.4
Tucker was Indiana's highest-graded defensive player, earning an impressive 77.4 overall grade across 42 defensive snaps. His biggest contribution came as a pass rusher, where he earned an outstanding 80.2 grade. PFF credited Tucker with four quarterback pressures, all coming on hurries. He also earned a 70.0 run-defense grade and a 75.4 tackling grade. Tucker finished with five total tackles, including a half tackle for loss, and helped Indiana consistently disrupt Minnesota's offensive line.
2. S Amare Ferrell - 74.8
Ferrell continued his strong play in Indiana's secondary, earning a 74.8 overall defensive grade across 60 snaps. He was particularly effective against the run, posting a 73.4 run-defense grade, while also earning an impressive 83.1 tackling grade. Ferrell finished with four total tackles and a half tackle for loss. In coverage, he earned a 73.0 grade and was not targeted on any of his 41 coverage snaps. His ability to provide support against the run while remaining reliable in coverage was important in limiting Minnesota's offensive production.
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3. DE Tobi Osunsanmi - 73.7
Osunsanmi rounded out Indiana's top three with a 73.7 overall defensive grade across 54 snaps. He earned a 69.6 run-defense grade and a 69.7 pass-rushing grade. Osunsanmi finished with four tackles, including a sack and two tackles for loss. PFF also credited him with five total quarterback pressures, including four hurries. His ability to consistently pressure Minnesota's quarterback was a major factor in the Hoosiers' defensive success.
Interesting Notes
Indiana's pass rush was extremely productive, generating 19 total quarterback pressures according to PFF, including four sacks, one quarterback hit and 14 hurries. Osunsanmi led the team with five pressures, while Tucker and Stephen Daley each recorded four.
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Linebacker Jacob Savage had an interesting afternoon. He earned an outstanding 80.1 coverage grade but struggled significantly as a tackler, finishing with a team-low 29.0 tackling grade among regular contributors. PFF charged him with three missed tackles.
Cornerback Byron Baldwin Jr. also had a rough outing despite recording a sack and forcing a fumble. He finished with a 59.3 overall defensive grade and a 47.7 coverage grade. Baldwin was targeted five times and allowed five receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown.
