HARRISONBURG — Andrew Ankrah will tell you he’s just trying to fit within James Madison’s new defense.
The preseason All-American prepped during fall camp to play more at defensive end than at outside linebacker, a position that allowed him to rack up double-digit totals in sacks and tackles for loss in 2015.
It took some adjusting for Ankrah to settle into his new role, but JMU coach Mike Houston believes the junior might be turning the corner.
“The biggest thing that Andrew is doing is actually playing within the defense now,” Houston said. “I think that he’s struggled with some things early on and I thought he had some mental breakdowns and some missed assignments in some games, but I thought he played his best game of this year, thus far, this past weekend.”
Ankrah had seven tackles in JMU’s 43-20 win over Delaware.
Since the start of Colonial Athletic Association play, the 6-foot-4, 240-pounder has recorded 11 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
During the previous two weeks — against Central Connecticut State and North Carolina — he had only five tackles.
“All the plays he wasn’t making against North Carolina, he made against Delaware on the same kind of calls,” Houston said.
Ankrah echoed Houston’s assessment of his performance.
“I agree with that completely because I think the most important part that I did last Saturday was that I just did my job,” Ankrah said.
The Gaithersburg, Md., native said it’s not always easy to follow a scheme, especially one that was recently installed. JMU defensive coordinator Bob Trott’s 4-2-5 system is as new to Ankrah as lining up at defensive end on every down.
“I think every player could be a selfish player and only think about themselves and go out and try to make this play or that play,” Ankrah said. “But when it’s scheme and gap responsibility, you have to do your job and then you will make plays. That’s what I’m going to continuously strive to do. I’ll try to do my job the best that I can. The plays that come to me, I’ll make.”
It’s also helped Ankrah that Houston and Trott have opened up the defensive playbook a bit.
Anrkah said the Dukes coaching staff called for more blitzes and movement across the defensive line in games against Maine and Delaware than it did during the non-conference schedule.
“We’ve definitely felt more confident to call more blitzes and stingers,” Ankrah said. “As you can see, the sacks aren’t just coming from the defensive line. The sacks are coming from linebackers and corners, too. Everyone is getting a piece of the pie and that’s a good thing.”
Understanding how to play within the defense isn’t something, Houston said, he’s only seen from Ankrah, either. The first-year Madison coach said the entire defense is starting to become acclimated to the system.
“I think our defense is playing better. I think our defense is practicing better. I hope the trend continues,” Houston said.
The challenge for the JMU defense this week comes in trying to slow down William & Mary running back Kendell Anderson. The Tribe senior captain carried 25 times for 168 yards and a touchdown in William & Mary’s loss at New Hampshire last week.
Houston called Anderson one of the CAA’s “elite skill players.”
Ankrah is tasked with trying to help the Dukes’ defensive line control the line of scrimmage. William & Mary features three senior offensive linemen, including 6-foot-8, 305-pound standout right tackle Jerry Ugokwe.
