A year ago the Duquesne Dukes defense finished the season ranked fourth in the nation and proved to be a unit that head coach Jerry Schmitt could lean on late in the season.
However that was last year and the Dukes defense faces a challenge this year as they returned only four starters from a unit that allowed only one touchdown during the final 12 quarters of football in 2011. The youth and inexperience of the Duquesne defense showed right away in 2012, when they allowed over 750 yards and seven touchdowns to Old Dominion.
But as with the case of any young team, a leader must emerge. Lucky for the Dukes, they have a trio of experienced linebackers; including middle linebacker Horvin Latimer to step up and lead a young defense. Duquesne has an All-American in the secondary in Serge Kona, but the linebacker trio of Latimer, Chidoze Oparanozie and Derrick Lakins have combined to record 413 career tackles.
“Our linebackers are going to be very key for us,” said Schmitt. “We are inexperienced up front and in the secondary so they will be relied on to make plays. We have good football players at every position, but our experienced linebackers will be counted on to lead.”
Leading is something that Latimer doesn’t take lightly.
“I have to be a leader to make sure all of the younger guys know what’s going on,” said Latimer. “Showing them how to practice and how to play without worrying about making mistakes is a responsibility I take serious. Once we stop worrying about making mistakes and just go out there and have fun and know where we need to be on each play, I think we will come together nicely as a unit.”
If judging by one performance means anything, Latimer may know exactly what he’s talking about.
During Duquesne’s home-opening win Saturday against Dayton, Latimer was often seen talking to the defense while the offense was on the field and the results speak for themselves. Just a week after allowing seven touchdowns, the Dukes’ defense allowed the Flyers only one in a 17-7 victory. Dayton scored late in the first quarter and threatened many times the remainder of the game, but Latimer and company pitched a shutout over the game’s final three quarters.
“Once they scored we just came together,” added Latimer. “I told the guys on the sidelines that we can’t allow any more points and I’m proud how everyone responded. We gave up a lot of yards, but we made plays when we had to.”
Latimer himself, a 6’0″ senior from Bethlehem, PA. made a huge play of his own. On a third down, with Flyers’ quarterback Will Bardo chewing the Dukes defense up, Bardo ran a quarterback draw that looked to be a certain first down. But Latimer read the play well and made a big hit on Bardo. Instead of a first down deep in Duquesne territory, the drive resulted in a missed field goal, which swung some momentum Duquesne’s way.
“It was just a matter of putting the work in in the film room and reading what was going on,” added Latimer.
Latimer came into the 2012 season as Duquesne’s leading tackler with 161 career tackles and has played in 31 of 33 career games. In a game against Albany last season, Latimer recorded 18 tackles, which is the fourth highest total for a Duquesne player since they moved to the FCS level in 1993.
So far this season, Latimer has recorded 17 tackles (eight solo), which leads the team. However he understands the importance of not only his role on the defense, but the other linebackers as well.
“Plain and simple, we have to make plays.” said Latimer. “The linebackers are the heart and soul of this defense and we have four pretty good ones with experience. We are young up front, but we have three seniors and a junior as our linebackers. We are counted on to make plays and show the way for the younger players.”
Speaking of the younger players, they looked like a unit who has a lot of potential and could come along nicely as the 2012 season moves on.
“Everybody has a job to do,” said Latimer. “On every single play, every single player has a responsibility. We have to do our jobs as a defense. It’s my job and the other seniors to make sure everyone knows their jobs. If we can do that, I think we will come along very nice as a defense. We have some very good talent. It’s just a matter of going out and doing your job.”
Photo Credit: Albany
