New "dollar" defense worked well against Utah State

About their "dollar" defense, which has 1 DL and 7 DBs in passing situations, Spencer Smith said:
"It's a real fun package. We used it sparingly at first because it was new and we weren't comfortable with it, so we just had to put more and more in each week. It gives us speed and it gives us a different look because we're always moving around. They don't know where the blitz is coming from, they don't know where we're dropping." (HSB)

About using their dollar defense to get more speed on the field in 3rd and long situations, Mac (who credited DL coach Dave Aranda for the suggestion for the defense) said:
"We've always believed in moving guys up and getting more speed on the field. We can pressure out of it or we can cover out of it." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The Warriors run a 4-3 system as their base, but have varying personnel groups depending on the situation. The dollar leaves defensive end Fetaiagogo Fonoti on the line, joined up front by three linebackers with seven defensive backs in the secondary or creeping up toward the line."

About how the defenders shuffle around before the snap, Richard Torres said:
"Sometimes we send everybody, sometimes we don't, so the offensive line doesn't know who's coming. It's fun walking around (and) confusing the guys, but you just have to line up and play once the ball is snapped." (HSB)

About how the players enjoy the dollar defense, Rich Miano said:
"It's kind of revitalized us in a way, knowing we can attack you from different ways, we can cover you different ways, I think guys get excited. These are young guys so everybody's learning a little bit more the intricacies of what they're doing and we keep expanding on it so there's always something new we can do out of it." (HSB)

HSB Note: "It has also allowed younger defensive backs on the second line of the depth chart for most of the season to see playing time in the secondary, including cornerback Lewis Walker and safeties Kenny Estes and Jordan Gomes."

About how using 7 DBs enables their backup DBs to get into the game, Miano said:
"The good thing about those guys is they're all deserving to play. They're all conscientious, they all take their roles seriously. It gives these guys an opportunity to go out and make some plays." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Hawaii struggled on third downs in the first half of the season with opponents converting on nearly 52 percent on their opportunities. That figure has dropped to 33 percent over the last three games."

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/sportsnews/20091111_Dollar_makes_a_difference.html