UWF has made a living creating chaos.
Saturday, the Argos have to do it against an All-American.
Abilene Christian right tackle Luke Roaten gives West Florida’s pass rush one of its toughest individual tests of the season. The 6-foot-6, 300-pound veteran entered the year as a Stats Perform FCS Preseason Second-Team All-American.
He’s big, experienced and difficult to move.
But UWF doesn’t have to beat him every snap.
The Argos just need to beat him when it matters.
Make Him Work
UWF forced six turnovers in last week’s 20-17 win over Southeast Missouri State, and that’s becoming a big part of this defense.
Pressure helps create those opportunities.
It doesn’t always have to end with a sack. Move the quarterback off his spot. Make him throw early. Get a hand in his face. Force him to reset his feet.
Sometimes that’s enough.
Against Roaten, UWF can’t become predictable. Look for different rush angles, inside counters, twists and pressure coming from different spots.
Make him communicate. Make him adjust.
Most importantly, don’t let him settle in.
Win With Four
This could be the biggest part of the matchup.
If UWF can pressure ACU without constantly bringing extra defenders, the Argos can keep more bodies in coverage and continue disguising things on the back end.
That’s exactly what a defense that has been creating turnovers wants.
But if Roaten and ACU’s offensive line consistently give the quarterback a clean pocket, UWF may have to become more aggressive.
That creates opportunities for ACU.
The Pressure Point
Nobody should expect UWF to dominate an All-American tackle for four quarters.
It doesn’t have to.
Beat Roaten on a third down. Get around him once in the red zone. Collapse the pocket late in the fourth quarter. Force one bad throw or knock the football loose.
Beat him five or six times at the right moments, and that might be enough to change the game.
UWF doesn’t have to win every snap against Luke Roaten.
The Argos just need to win the important ones.
