After earning UAC Defensive Player of the Week honors, UWF’s top defensive lineman faces a different test against Central Arkansas dual-threat quarterback Donovyn Omolo.
Byron Puryear showed how disruptive he can be during West Florida’s first game as an FCS program.
Now he must prove he can play with the same aggression without giving Central Arkansas quarterback Donovyn Omolo room to escape.
Puryear recorded seven tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack in UWF’s 34-31 upset of No. 16 Southern Illinois. The performance earned the 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive lineman UAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Omolo presents a much different challenge.
The Central Arkansas sophomore produced 361 total yards in a 36-24 victory over No. 22 UT Martin. He completed 20 of 27 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns while rushing 12 times for another 118 yards.
He also was not sacked.
That makes keeping Omolo inside the pocket one of UWF’s biggest defensive priorities Saturday.
Puryear’s ability to attack the backfield gives the Argos a major weapon. But if he rushes too far outside, Omolo can step forward and run through the opening. If UWF’s interior defenders leave their lanes, the quarterback can escape through the middle.
Becoming too cautious carries its own danger. Omolo completed 74.1 percent of his passes in the opener and showed he can hurt a defense when given time.
UWF must find the balance between applying pressure and staying under control.
Instead of allowing individual defenders to chase sacks, the Argos must work together to surround Omolo. Puryear can collapse the pocket from the edge, but the rest of the defensive front must close the escape routes around him.
That could be especially important on third down. Omolo converted several key situations with his legs against UT Martin, including an eight-yard run on third-and-6 during a long fourth-quarter touchdown drive.
Puryear does not necessarily need another big sack total to affect this game. Forcing Omolo to remain in the pocket—and giving UWF’s secondary time to react—could be just as valuable.
The opener established Puryear as one of the top defenders in the UAC. His second game will test a different part of his skill set.
Puryear proved he can wreck a pocket. Saturday, he must do it without opening the door for Omolo to escape.
