The Lincoln Blue Tigers have been keying in on their defense this preseason.
One of the areas of improvement coach Steven Smith is zeroing in on is turnovers. The Lincoln defense recorded just six takeaways in 10 games in 2017, tied for second-to-last in NCAA Division II.
As an incentive, Smith is bringing something to the team that several other programs have gone to, hoping to promote more takeaways: the turnover belt.
"We want to get the turnovers," Smith said.
While big hits on defense can lead to those desired turnovers, Smith said the defense has been showing progress in its tackling and focusing on making the big play, not the big hit.
"The big hit will come when it comes, but if we make the play, we don't bounce off a guy or give a guy another chance," he said. "We just have to make the play."
Lincoln's strength on defense will be at linebacker, where the Blue Tigers return a handful of contributors.
Senior Edwin Durassaint is the team's returning leader in tackles with 54 in 2017.
"He had a 'lights out' year last year, and hopefully he can have a 'lights out' year this year," Smith said.
Seniors Amani Nelson and Victor Williams also return at linebacker. Incoming freshmen Vontavious Thacker and Cody Bagby are also getting reps this fall.
"We've got some guys who are playing well who are coming along and making things happen," Smith said. "I feel comfortable with where we are in the linebacker position and I think we're doing well right now."
Another key the Lincoln defense has worked on this fall is stopping the run. Opponents averaged 146.9 yards rushing last season against the Blue Tigers.
"We just want to be more intense, we want to be more reckless and go get the ball," Smith said.
As for the pass defense, Smith said his team didn't blitz for the first two weeks of practice.
"We just focused on getting the pass rush," he said. "We've got some really good pass-rush ends, so I want them move in the pocket, I want to see them squeeze that pocket, so our big guys in the middle push that pocket and get sacks without having to blitz all the time."
Junior JaJuan Chambers returns on the defensive line, along with senior Isaiah Gray.
"He's a speed end," Smith said of Gray. "He can run, he can stop the run and he can go get the passer."
Among the newcomers on the line are freshmen Michael Smith and Ben Shumate, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound tackle from South Callaway High School.
"He's done a great job and pushed himself," Smith said of Shumate.
Other players on the line with be senior Karl Evans Jr. and freshmen Cardell Jones and Casey Gamble.
The Blue Tigers will have a pair of players from Miami at the cornerback position in junior Chavon Gross and sophomore Steve Henderson. At safety, among the players in the rotation are senior Joe Madrigal, junior Hasan Muhammad-Rogers, sophomore Thomas Burton and freshman Austin Harris.
With one week until the season opener Saturday against Lane College, Smith said the defense is just fine-tuning things at this point.
"We had a great spring, we had a great summer and we had a great fall camp," Smith said. He added Lincoln has been able to take advantage of an extended fall camp that finishes today - since the first day of classes isn't until Monday - a luxury many programs were not afforded.
With a defense that allowed 31.0 points per game, Smith said the motto for this year's defense is "bend, don't break."
"I'm never going to say anything is going to be perfect, but we want to be something like perfect," Smith said. "We want to give ourselves a chance to be able to get people off the field, don't give up the big third down, don't give up the big explosion plays.
"If we can do that, I think we'll be fine."