[BJWilliams]

Now we switch from the offense to the defense. FIrst up is the other side of the trench battle that takes place every single play, the defensive line


1. Steve Ackley (starter)
2. Colin Dugan (starter)
3. Kevin Richard (starter)
4. Trey Jacobs
5. Brady Hassell
6. Tim Smith
7. Soeren Wendland
8. Jay Coady
9. Josh Musselman
10. Jordon Spaeth


1. Steve Ackley- Ackley finished 2007 tied for second on the team in sacks with Kevin Richard *more on him later* with 3. He also finished with 63 total tackles, good for a tie for 4th on the team (first among defensive linemen)
2. Colin Dugan- The third year nose guard had another solid season, finishing with 62 total tackles (second among linemen behind Ackley) and 2 sacks
3. Kevin Richard- The redshirt junior from Lynchburg also had a solid year, finishing with 28 total tackles and tying with Steve Ackley for second in sacks (and first among the defensive linemen)
4. Trey Jacobs- the true sophomore finished with 13 total tackles and a fumble recovery in 2007
5. Brady Hassell- the redshirt junior (and backup nose guard behind Colin Dugan) saw action in 10 games and finished with 12 total tackles
6. Tim Smith- the backup to Steve Ackley saw action in 10 games and recorded 8 total tackles.
7. Soeren Wendland- the big defensive end from Germany appeared in 9 games and recorded 1 tackle.
8. Jay Coady- the third string nose guard only played in 2 games and recorded 1 tackle
9. Josh Musselman- Did not record any defensive statistics in 2007
10. Jordon Spaeth- Did not record any defensive statistics in 2007

With only Ackley graduating, things could be very wide open for the second defensive end spot. Tim Smith is listed on the 2007 depth chart as the backup, but you could see any number of players step up and battle to get in the starting lineup in 2008 to join Colin Dugan and Kevin Richard. After giving up 30 points only twice in 2006, the Flames defense allowed 30 points twice (loss to Toledo, victory over VMI) in 2007, but also allowed 40 points in two games (losses to William and Mary and Elon). The defensive line will be an important part of the sucess of the Flames defense in 2007.


Tomorrow: Linebackers