Utah State versus North Texas offers showcase of linebackers

While much of the attention has been placed on the high-flying offenses for both Utah State and North Texas, perhaps more attention should be given to the units for slowing down those offenses.

Both front-sevens for the Aggies and the Mean Green pose menacing obstacles for any opponent, and Saturday’s game could be decided by who manages to slow the opposition down the most.

Utah State’s front seven, led by LBs David Woodward and Tipa Galeai, have shined this season for the defense, with the Aggies amassing 2.5 sacks and 7.4 tackles for loss per game. USU ranks 21st in the country for TFLs per game, one spot behind Alabama.

Photo by Megan Nielsen

But North Texas’ unit boasts the same amount of game-wrecking potential, if not more. LB EJ Ejiya leads the Mean Green with 113 tackles on the season and nine sacks. Ejiya also ranks third in the country with 23 TFLs on the season.

“E.J. can definitely make it in the NFL,” fellow North Texas LB Brandon Garner said. “He has the size and speed and gives great effort on every play. That kind of effort is something not everyone gives.”

Ejiya is joined in the Mean Green’s LB corps by Garner and Ladarius Hamilton, who have combined for 13 sacks and 27 TFLs on the year. For USU, Woodward and the rest of the front seven know they must meet North Texas’ level of disruption, but feel comfortable in their ability to do so.

“We just need to continue to do what we’ve done all season, try and stop the run first and foremost.That’s our main thing every single game,” Woodward said, who also mentioned USU’s offense as a key to their preparation. “We’ve had a lot of practice over the summer and offseason playing against our offense.”

The Aggies are 8-0 this season when out-gaining opponents in total yardage, but only 2-2 when being out-gained. Whichever front seven can help their team to that achievement the most will have a clear advantage in Saturday’s contest.