ITHACA, N.Y. -- It's time to take an in-depth look at the 2010 Big Red football team position group by position group. After looking at the special teams on Wednesday, it's now time to look at how Cornell will attempt to plug up opposing running attacks - with a deep stable of defensive tackles.
Practice Photo Gallery Day 1 I Day 2 I Day 3 I Day 4 I Day 5 I Day 7
Big Red 101 - Special Teams I Defensive Tackles
The interior of the defensive line features significant experience, with multiple players capable of earning a starting nod and assuring Cornell will be able to have fresh players plugging up the middle. Assistant coach
Peter McCarty has 32 years invested in coaching defense at the college level, including stops at Stanford, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Illinois, Syracuse, Central Florida, Holy Cross and Western Michigan. His teaching has already been visible in the improvement of the tackles from spring to fall.
Returning starters
Matt MacFarlane (6-3, 255) and
Brian Carroll (5-10, 268) return for their junior seasons, while senior
Jack Campbell (6-0, 257) and juniors
Zak Murdock (6-1, 263) and
Emile Chang (6-2, 290) all have great experience. Emerging sophomore
Emmitt Terrell (6-2, 242) will also have a great shot at breaking into the rotation, and freshmen
Thomas Kokolas (6-4, 225), Tre' Minor (6-2, 256) and
Nate Baruch (6-4, 234) each have great potential, but won't be rushed into action until they are ready.
MacFarlane was one of the team's top defensive linemen a year ago after bursting onto the scene in his first varsity appearance. He had six tackles, with 3.5 TFL, in the season-opening win over Bucknell, propelling him to 20 tackles, 5.5 TFL and a pair of sacks in eight contests a year ago. Now, an even stronger junior will have an opportunity to create havoc in the backfield.
A true run stopper and former walk-on, Carroll is a prototypical defensive tackle after playing nose guard in the 3-4 a year ago. His impressive work ethic saw him climb the depth chart a year ago before emerging as the team's starter. Carroll ended the 2009 season with 17 tackles with 2.0 tackles for loss and a sack.]
After transferring from Texas Tech, Campbell made an impact as the season went along. He finished the year with 29 total tackles in nine contests, including a start against Penn in the season finale. He posted a career-best 11 stops against the Quakers and also recorded seven stops against Dartmouth.
Murdock has battled injuries throughout his career, but is a potential impact player. He played in his first game as a freshman before suffering an injury and hasn't earned varsity time since, but has the size and strength to become a top run stuffer.
Chang earned his first varsity letter in 2009, spending time on both the defensive and offensive lines. He has an unusual combination of speed and strength that make him potentially one of the top young linemen in the Ivy League. Chang will benefit from a full season at tackle after playing noseguard a year ago and then joining the offense as a starting guard.
Terrell is a wild-card after a standout season on the junior varsity in 2009. He has the toughness and the right skill set to join the rotation as a sophomore.
