By Joe Sager
D3sports.com

Trying to solve Muhlenberg’s defense can be puzzling.

Teams know pressure is coming, but just don’t know how, from where or exactly when.

Just ask Mules head coach Nate Milne, whose offense gets to face it regularly.

“It’s a nightmare for us in practice. We have to go against them every week and we spend a good portion of our practice where our starters go against the starters on defense,” he said. “I can only imagine what it’s like for opposing teams because what Moravian saw from us in Week 10 is not what Brockport saw in Week 12.”

The key for the Mules’ defense is its ever-changing personality. The team will deploy different looks and different personnel constantly throughout the game.

“We’re a base 3-4. Depending on down, distance and personnel – we adapt to what we need to be. It changes all the time. We try to get our best players in that situation on the field,” Muhlenberg defensive coordinator Kory David said. “We have a bunch of guys who love to play football. We are able to do a lot of things with them. We are able to use a lot of football players.”

The approach has paid off for Muhlenberg (13-0), the last undefeated team left in the national playoffs. The Mules welcome North Central (12-1) in Saturday’s semifinal.

“It’s beneficial, as a defense, to keep the offense guessing and not to be too one-dimensional,” Muhlenberg junior Daymon Fleming said. “To be able to do a lot of the same things from different looks and having a lot of different approaches from looking like it’s the same thing is huge for us.”

That’s been especially true in the postseason. The Mules opened with shutout wins over MIT and Brockport. They saw their shutout streak end at 11 quarters in last week’s 24-8 win over Salisbury. Muhlenberg faced a daunting task of its own against Salisbury’s triple-option attack, but shut it down for 176 total yards – 300 below its average. The Sea Gulls (11-1) averaged 51.1 points a game this season and scored 62 and 83 in their first two playoff games.

“Not only do we have great players and athletes, but we are able to scheme really well. We want that element of surprise and we are all locked in with each other,” Muhlenberg senior nose tackle Frank Cresta said. “It’s a lot for other teams to handle. It’s a lot for us to master and put in. But, I think we do a great job in practice and making sure everyone’s on the same page.”

Each opponent is a new challenge to the Mules. However, they feel they have the depth and versatility to adjust on the fly and counter most looks.

“With Salisbury, we had guys who started for 12 games, but were rotating in with the game plan we had established. They were fine with it. It’s all about getting to the next level for us,” David said. “It all starts up front for us. I don’t want to sound cliché, but the depth we have on our defensive line and the guys we have there do a tremendous job in the run game and getting to the quarterback. With teams knowing the ball has to get out quickly and knowing the quarterback can be under stress, I think that’s helped us out.”

The Mules, who shuffle around 17 players in and out on defense, really tapped into their depth last season.

“Last year, knowing we had to go 10 games in 10 weeks in the regular season, we wanted a way to try to keep guys fresh and healthy,” David said. “Now, we’re sticking to it.”

“If those guys weren’t as unselfish as they are, it wouldn’t work – maybe, it’d be a problem at other places,” Milne added. “Guys have done a great job buying into the schematics and rotation. One week, maybe they are the guy and then, the next week, they’re not the guy. But, they’re OK with that.”

The Mules have no problem trusting in David and his system. After all, he spent two years (2011-13) in the NFL as a Philadelphia Eagles assistant coach under Andy Reid.

“We’re lucky to have him. He has years of experience at all levels,” Cresta said. “His mentality is no excuses, go full tilt to the ball every play and hold each other accountable. He is a tough-love kind of guy, but he loves all of us and wants us to play for each other. I don’t think there’s a better defensive coordinator in D-III. What he brings to the table is unlike anything. Our defense’s ability to adapt is something that’s really special.”

Milne has no problem handing the keys to the defense and letting David drive.

“I was in Coach David’s wedding and we lived together at SUNY Cortland when we were both assistants there. Our relationship goes back many, many years,” he said. “From head coach to defensive coordinator, it’s a really great relationship. We trust one another. We’re rowing the boat in the same direction. You couldn’t ask for anything better. Whether winning or losing, we have each other’s back on the field and off the field. The moment I had the opportunity to steal him away to be closer to his family, I was fortunate to get him here. I just absolutely stay out of his way.”

Adding to the Mules’ defensive deception is the lack of available scouting material available. Most of the team’s regular-season wins were decisive, just like in the postseason.

“Teams in our conference know us and our personnel since they see us every year. But, when you get a limited sample size and, in that sample size, for example, a guy like All-American Frankie Feaster is only playing two quarters because we’re up 52-7, you don’t have a good feel for our scheme, coverages and personnel,” Milne said. “When you have that limited sample size, that’s really enhanced us in the postseason. We were really good in the regular season but we’re playing at different level in the postseason. Some of that is due to scheme and some is due to the sample size, but our talent is elite on that side of the ball.”

Experience is a factor, too. Muhlenberg won two playoff games last year before it fell at Mount Union in the quarterfinals.

“It’s beneficial to have a lot of people who have experience,” Fleming said. “Last year, we had a lot of younger guys that we were able to play. That definitely helps now and that’ll help in the future, too.”

The Mules look forward to their next challenge against North Central – a team that put up 699 yards on Mount Union in a 59-52 win in the second round. The Cardinals’ offense ranks second in the country at 565.2 yards per game and 53.2 points per game.

“The great thing about the playoffs is that you can face so much variety. This week, we have a quite a challenge,” David said. “We need everybody. All our guys and coaches have to step up. North Central is phenomenal. On all cylinders, they are good on offense. We’ll have to bring our best game.”

“They are very balanced and they have great weapons all around their offense and they have a great line,” Fleming said. “I think we’ll just be ourselves and not do anything that’ll get us out of comfort zone. I think our coaches do a great job game planning each week and will have a solid plan for us.”