"We've had great pass rushers in the past," Leonhard said Wednesday. "Leon Jacobs dominated 1-on-1 situations last year. Dooley (Garret Dooley), same thing. Dominated at certain times last year.
"We haven't necessarily gotten that and when we have won, we've struggled to get the quarterback on the ground. We know we need to create more pressure. I think half of that comes from getting the quarterbacks on the ground and that affects everything."
Replacing Dooley and Jacobs this season are senior Andrew Van Ginkel and junior Zack Baun. The duo has just one of the three sacks generated by the UW defense this season. Since 2014, Aranda's second year with the program, UW's lowest sacks per game average is 2.2.
While Leonhard acknowledges the lack of havoc caused in the opposition's backfield needs to be addressed, he won't do so by simply dialing up more blitzes.
Leonhard's defense has just three sacks in four games. (Photo: Elliott Connor, 247Sports)
"We're not a defense that's going to get reckless and try to attack the quarterback in that way," he said. "We have to be smart and put our guys in situations to win. When they get 1-on-1 situations, they've gotta win."
Hey JIM , you need to stop with 7 yard cushions, of course you can't get the QB down when he has easy outlets.
"We haven't necessarily gotten that and when we have won, we've struggled to get the quarterback on the ground. We know we need to create more pressure. I think half of that comes from getting the quarterbacks on the ground and that affects everything."
Replacing Dooley and Jacobs this season are senior Andrew Van Ginkel and junior Zack Baun. The duo has just one of the three sacks generated by the UW defense this season. Since 2014, Aranda's second year with the program, UW's lowest sacks per game average is 2.2.
While Leonhard acknowledges the lack of havoc caused in the opposition's backfield needs to be addressed, he won't do so by simply dialing up more blitzes.
Leonhard's defense has just three sacks in four games. (Photo: Elliott Connor, 247Sports)
"We're not a defense that's going to get reckless and try to attack the quarterback in that way," he said. "We have to be smart and put our guys in situations to win. When they get 1-on-1 situations, they've gotta win."
Hey JIM , you need to stop with 7 yard cushions, of course you can't get the QB down when he has easy outlets.
