In just 88 snaps this season redshirt freshman defensive end Greg Rousseau leads the defense for the Miami football team with 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. It is time for Rousseau to get more playing time.
Greg Rousseau made an impact on the Miami football team as a true freshman during spring practice in 2018. Rousseau enrolled early and led the Hurricanes in tackles for loss and sacks and tackles for loss during spring practice in 2018. He has parlayed that to leading the Hurricanes with 4.5 TFLs and three sacks in 2019.
Rousseau had five tackles in 2018 before suffering a season-ending ankle injury against Savannah State. He has come back with a vengeance this season. Playing both defensive end and tackle, Rousseau has been exceptional this season. The 6’6 240 pound defensive lineman is a matchup nightmare.
Rousseau is an exceptional athlete who played wide receiver and safety in high school. His speed has bothered tackles when he is at defensive end. When Rousseau plays defensive tackle on passing downs he has been able to get his hands up and in the passing lanes. His versatility is vital to the Miami defense.
Junior defensive end Jonathan Garvin leads the defensive lineman for the Miami football team with 200 snaps. His counterpart on the other side, senior Scott Patchan has played 157 snaps. defensive tackle Jon Ford has 151 snaps. graduate transfer defensive end Trevon Hill 95 and Rousseau 88.
Miami Hurricanes Football
None of the Miami defensive linemen have produced as much as Rousseau in 2019. Pat Bethel is second among the defensive linemen on the Miami football team with 2.5 TFLs. Junior cornerback Trajan Bandy with two is the only other player for the Hurricanes with more than one sack. Rousseau needs to be on the field more often.
Miami led the nation with 10.46 TFLs per game in 2018. That number has dropped to 8.25 this season. That still puts the Hurricanes a very respectable 12th nationally in TFLs per game. Miami has not been sacking the quarterback at nearly the same pace this season as they have the last few years.
The Hurricanes are averaging 2.75 sacks per game in 2019. That puts Miami 29th in the nation. Miami was ninth in the nation in sacks with 3.08 per game in 2018. Rosseau is the most prolific getting after the passer on the Miami football team. Miami will play some tough offensive lines the remainder of 2019.
The Hurricanes best opportunity to get after the passer will be in three weeks when they host Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets are 84th nationally in sacks allowed.
Miami’s opponent next weekend, Virginia Tech is 58th in protecting the QB. Duke is the best offensive line Miami will face this season. The Blue Devils have allowed one sack in four games.