UM's defensive stats were generally good in recent years, when measured against top teams and playoff teams--contrary to the incorrect assertions of the likes of Bloomberg and Hook. See below.
1. UM had the best two-year average for Scoring Defense in the Big Sky.
2. Below are national defensive stats, measured only against the 24 playoff teams. Montana’s defense compares fairly favorably in these stats. “Better” below refers to better than NDSU in the national rankings.
1st – Team Sacks –(also 1st in the nation) - Better
2d – Fumbles Recovered – Better
2d – Blocked Punts – Better
4th – Blocked Kicks – Better
6th – Passing Yards Allowed (NDSU is 2d, by the way)
7th – Red Zone Defense – Better
7th – 3d Down Conversion Defense (NDSU is 1st, by the way)
11th – Turnovers Gained – Better
11th – 4th Down Conversion Defense – Better
14th – Passes Intercepted – Tied with NDSU
16th – Total Defense (27th in nation based on yards per play, which is probably a more true measurement of the quality of a defense)
16th – Scoring Defense (note that this stat also includes scores given up by the offense and special teams)
17th – Rushing Defense (45th in nation based on yards per play, which is probably a more true measurement of the quality of a rush defense)
17th – Pass Efficiency Defense
UM was also high in Defensive TD’s Scored, but I couldn't find the ranking/stat.
UM’s defense was also on the field a lot and some tough situations due 3 outs, 4th downs not converted, and turnovers. UM was 120th in time of possession.
UM’s Rushing Defense, based on yards per carry, was 3d best in the conference, at 3.9. UM played against the top 6 rushing teams in the conference, and 5 (really 6 counting NDSU twice) of the top 18 rushing teams in the nation, and 8 of the top 55 rushing teams in the nation. By comparison, NDSU played against 4 of the top 25. It looks like UM played against more of the top rushing teams than any other team in the nation. In the nation. Based on yards per carry, UM’s Rushing Defense was 45th in the nation. Yes, 80th based on average yards per game, but that is not as a true of a stat as yards per carry.
UM’s Total Defense was 45th in the nation based on yards per play. Only 15 playoff teams were in the top 50 in Scoring Defense. UM was 52d.
The stats I compiled were done right after the UM/NDSU game.
3. UM held all teams below their season average per carry, except PSU (6.5 to 5) and N.D. (5.3 to 5.1), and NDSU got its average in the first game. In addition, MSU was only .1 below its average and Weber was only .2 below its average.
CP was 4.3 to 5.5 average.
EWU was 2.4 to 3.8.
ISU was 3 to 3.8.
NAU was 1.7 to 4
Davis was 2.7 to 3.5.
NDSU was 4.5 to 5, in last game
Liberty was 1.9 to 3.6
SDSU was 2.9 to 3.7.
UM gave up 3.0 per carry. Only 10 playoff teams had a lower per carry average. McNeese, NDSU, Jack. St., UNI, Duquesne, Dayton, Ill St., Charles. So., Colgate and William & M.
UM put up its defensive numbers in a conference with the nos. 1, 2, 6, 10, 16, 30, 34, 40 and 42 passing offenses in the country. High-scoring conferences lead to lower defensive numbers.
The BSC also had the nos. 1, 7, 23, 27, 39 and 44 Rushing Offenses. Again, fairly high rushing rankings.
4. These stats are very good, when the bad FCS teams are taken out. This is especially impressive given that UM plays in a conference with very high-powered offenses.