Match-Up To Watch: Wake Forest's Duke Ejiofor Vs. Brandon Knight and Coy Cronk

Brandon Knight's blocking the edge will be a major key to IU's success against Wake Forest. Image: Matt Weaver Scout.com

Written By Alex Compton

After a bye week that felt like another entire offseason, Indiana returns to The Rock on Saturday as they host the 3-0 Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Conference play looms after this weekend, and the result of this game will likely play a huge role in determining the postseason fate of these two programs. Football is undoubtedly an 11 on 11 game, but the individual match-ups on each and every play ultimately decide who comes out on top. Win enough individual match-ups, and pretty soon you’ll be winning the battle on the scoreboard. One matchup in particular that will likely have a huge factor on the final score is Wake Forest’s edge rushing stud Duke Ejiofor against our young left tackles Coy Cronk and Brandon Knight. 

Last year, Brandon Knight was able to sit behind second round draft pick Jason Spriggs and learn from him by getting some reps in at tight end. Over the offseason, most people tabbed him as the likely starter at left tackle, until true freshman Coy Cronk began to turn some heads over the summer. His strong play allowed him to avoid a redshirt, and to switch off every series at left tackle with Knight. For guys with no experience at tackle in college, they have both performed very well up until this point. You can chalk it up to solid coaching, natural talent, or the lower level of competition if you’d like, but this weekend will show Indiana Football fans what these two tackles are all about regardless. Duke Ejiofor is the best defensive player IU has seen to date, and he may be the best pass rusher the Hoosiers will have to try and block all season long. The redshirt junior already has 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 recovery. His stellar play so far has turned some heads already, as he was named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the week for his performance in WF’s 24-14 win over Duke back in week 2. 

At 6’4”, he uses his length to keep linemen away from his body, and then waits for a mistake. Once he sees a tackle out of position even just a little bit, he uses his burst of speed to bring the heat on opposing quarterbacks. You’ll see just about every move from him over the course of the game, including bull rushes, swims, spins, rip moves, and hand checks to name a few. He plays a ton of snaps as well, so there is a strong likelihood that he ends up making a few plays over the course of the game. In order to keep him in check, I would expect IU’s run game to feature a heavy dose of running the ball to the left side behind pulls from the center, right guard, and right tackle. The best way to neutralize a great edge player in the run game is to go right at them, so that is what I expect in terms of the run game. For Richard Lagow through the air, lots of quick throws and reads will likely be on his plate for Saturday. If IU can keep the offense on the field and get the ball out quickly, then Ejiofor will likely be kept in check. If he comes out strong, I imagine Danny Friend will be on the left side to help out with the All-ACC caliber D-End. 

Keeping Lagow upright in the pocket on Saturday will give IU a great chance to come away with a win. With poor protection however, this stiff defense becomes much, much harder to move the ball against. Watch Duke Ejiofor vs. Coy Cronk/ Brandon Knight closely on Saturday. 

Other Notes On This Matchup

At 6’4”, 270lbs, Ejiofor is built like a truck. Tiring him out will be key. 

Eljiofor was named Chuck Bednarik Award Player of the Week for his performance against Duke, in which he totaled 3 sacks, 8 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. The Chuck Bednarik Award is given annually to the nation’s top defensive player. 

Last season, Eljiofor had 4.5 sacks, which is his current total through 3 games this season. 

Coach Frey on their D-Line: “Not only Ejiofor, but they have about 3 or 4 guys that get there. They all tee off, they all come, they all rush the passer very well. They all control the line of scrimmage very well, but we’re focused on us.”