Offense wins games, defense wins championships.

Last season, the Saluki defense was lit up for 351 points and 4,455 yards en route to an 0-6 Gateway Conference record (1-10 overall). This season, Saluki head football coach Shawn Watson has different plans for his defense.

Watson said he is looking for specific members of the defense to step up and provide leadership for the team, as well as that side of the football .

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Darnell Hendricks without a doubt is the heartbeat of the football team, (and) on the defensive front Pat Baldwin.

We’ve had excellent leadership out of our senior group as a whole.

Senior linebacker Brian Tranchitella said aside from leadership, attitude plays an important role in the success of the defense.

I prefer to let my actions speak for me, but we will have a successful season, there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind this year, he said. Last season we went on the field with a maybe we can win’ attitude.

This year we’ll be going on with a we will win’ attitude. There’s a big difference and we simply have the confidence to get the job done this season.

Watson said he is expecting big things from his defense, and now he has the depth at each position to fulfill those expectations.

I think they’re (the defensive line) two-deep across the board, he said. I think we have a good chance to be a very good defense if we just apply what’s being taught and play that physical brand of football that we’re teaching.

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Because of the depth at each position, Watson said he would not be hesitant to use his bench liberally.

We have an opportunity to play a lot of guys, he said. We’ll probably at least, minimum, play rotations in the secondary of three at corner and safety. On defensive line, we can roll in and out and (at) linebacker, we can go in and out.

Even though those three linebackers (Tranchitella, Tommy Anderson and Tony Seman) are a real good corps, if somebody needs a blow, his backup will go in and we’re set to go. We’re steady Eddie,’ let’s play.

When the Salukis line up against Southeast Missouri State Thursday night, the starting defense line will consist of:sophomore left end Ryan Smith (6-2, 233), senior Patrick Baldwin (6-1, 285) at nose guard, junior right tackle Brian Prudent (6-4, 263) and sophomore right end David Reid (6-1, 250).

The linebacker positions will be filled by seniors Brian Tranchitella (6-0, 234) and Tony Seman (6-2, 233) and junior Tommy Anderson (5-10, 213). The Dawgs’ secondary will be patrolled by senior safeties Darnell Hendricks (6-1, 200) and Jim Cravens (6-1, 192) and sophomore cornerbacks Freddie Taylor (5-8, 177) and Duane Lawrence (5-10, 177).

With the size and speed of the defense, Watson said he is looking to turn his aggressive Dawgs’ defense loose on opponents this season.

Basically, they’re a physical group of guys and they’ve got some people, he said. I’d be disappointed if they weren’t the physical unit that I’ve come to know.