![Jacksonville allowed only 74 yards of total offense in a 42-7 win over Southwest on Friday. [John Althouse / The Daily News]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/08/21/NJDN/b0134651-d799-4d68-bcb0-0c995805735f-20210820-FOOTBALL-SWO-JHS-22.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jacksonville senior defensive deal with Omahr Ramirez did not deny it when asked if he and his defensive teammates took it own just how a lot of details and yards they permitted very last football time.
On Friday night, the Cardinals took what they hope is a big stage toward a defensive resurgence as they recorded 6 sacks and recovered two fumbles in a 42-7 get at Southwest.
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“We have good players,” Ramirez stated. “We make terrific reads and we all do what we are meant to do.”
That wasn’t often the situation earlier this year in the winter year when the Cardinals authorized 18.7 factors per activity and gave up at minimum 27 four moments in their 7-video game period.
In comparison, Jacksonville permitted 17.8 details for each match and permitted at minimum 26 points 4 times in 11 video games in 2019 and authorized 15.6 in 13 video games in 2018.
What could get the staff to return to its outdated ways?
“We have a ton of guys back again. That aids,” Jacksonville coach Beau Williams mentioned. “Guys like Omahr are three-year starters and finding RJ Grant back again, who was with us as a sophomore but was in Ohio last 12 months, also allows.”
Grant, a senior center linebacker, surely was a big difference with his potential to penetrate.
“We are coming back more powerful and better,” he said with a smile.
Other essential returning defensive players incorporate senior defensive back again Noah Gibson, senior deal with Petelo Leae and junior linebacker Alex Conary.
“And we have two safeties who are juniors. So we are nevertheless going by some growing pains,” Williams explained.
Jacksonville showed that early by allowing for two big go plays. 1 was a 47-yard landing reception by Donovan Strader that gave Southwest a 7- lead with 4:05 still left in the initially quarter and the other was a 36-yard reception to Daquan Hatchett on a double move engage in.
But the Cardinals responded moments after that second long play by recovering a fumble on their 36-property line.
“Yeah, all those go performs lit a fire under us,” Grant mentioned.
From there, it was all Jacksonville.
“Jacksonville created some very good adjustments and we also started to get worn out,” Southwest coach Charlie Dempsey claimed. “We just are not the form of team that can appear again from staying behind the sticks.”
The Cardinals’ defensive line certain got penetration, ensuing in sacking Whitehead 6 instances for minus 67 yards.
“We were being capable to get some fellas off the corners,” Williams claimed. “We tried using to make plays by coming soon after their quarterback.”
The Cardinals also 4 other Stallion ball carriers to 34 yards hurrying put together. The recreation marked the fifth time in the six conferences with the Stallions that the Cardinals yielded 7 points or less.
“We are physical,” Grant explained. “Everybody comes with heat.”
Ramirez also credited Williams, who is extra concerned with the defense this time.
“It means a large amount having Coach Beau,” Ramirez mentioned. “I truly feel like this man has all the information in the planet. I truly feel like we can be one thing terrific this period.”
Chris Miller can be contacted by means of electronic mail at chris.miller@jdnews.com. Observe him on Twitter @jdnsports.
![Jacksonville recovered two fumbles Friday in a 42-7 win over Southwest. [John Althouse / The Daily News]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/08/21/NJDN/96591e7a-5951-43db-b79c-0695d5a4ca5b-20210820-FOOTBALL-SWO-JHS-33.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
