Brian Kelly Talks Defense Improvements Under New Staff: We Didn't Tackle Anybody Last Year

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"This is the constant application of a defensive system and process that has required our players to really think right about what they are doing and do their job every single play. It's painstaking, it's work, and it takes time," Kelly explained.

"With a whole defensive staff, new teaching, new communication... we would have loved to be here in week 1, but it's taken time to get to the grassroots with everybody. But the tactical and technical pieces are so much better."

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"From a game plan standpoint (vs. Ole Miss), first down was absolutely crucial in this game, and we were really good on the early downs. And if the ball did get out on the perimeter, we were tackling. We didn't do that last year. We didn't tackle anybody last year."

"The fundamentals of playing good defense were in place. We were able to do things when we got into predictable down and distances, and we sacked the quarterback more times than he's been sacked at any time. And that really is the sign of a good defense."

"We did not give them a consistent look. We wanted to mix coverages up, and I thought our guys did a really good job of holding the shell and then getting into something else post-snap. It was a chess match in the second half. When you keep them from scoring touchdowns for two quarters and overtime, you feel like you won that battle."

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