The first team offenses and defenses came off the practice field Tuesday afternoon after the defensive line had just gone through their most interesting drills of the day.

The defensive line had their backs against the wall since the first team offense was positioned one yard away from the first down marker.

For those four linemen up front, there is no situation that can be more relevant to what they are hoping to accomplish.

First of all, they are looking to make a hit, and in the process they are hoping to make a play, maybe even create a turnover. Overall, they want to stop the situational drive with a sudden jolt.

“To me, as a coach of these guys, that is the most important time during practice,” defensive line coach Derrick Jackson said. “For us, that is the time to make a play or a turnover; if they make that stop on 3rd and 1 then that group gets a breather and we have accomplished what we want to.”

Those moments when guys like junior defensive end Kory Lothe or senior defensive tackle Marcus Lorick make the stop in practice are the moments that Jackson is going to want to see in a game situation.

After leading the defensive line last year, Jackson and his young disciples are excited to see what can be done after they have all learned the defensive scheme and are ready to build upon what they started last year.

“That transition situation is something we all had to work through last year, but as a group we overcame those moments,” Jackson said. “The players have to deal with a new coaching philosophy and a different style, and I had to learn how to push their buttons to get the most out of their potential.”

The defensive line has bought whatever Jackson was selling, as they look to improve upon a solid base.

Last year, Lothe came off the end with success as he led the team with eight sacks, while Lorick provided a solid base to the middle of the line as he led the defensive line with 49 tackles, five of which were registered for a loss.

“The pressure is on us right now, and that is the way we like it,” junior defensive tackle Will Bihun said. “We want to become the best we can because there is a lot of talent here.”

Some pressure will be added to the group this year as the senior loaded linebacking corps from a year ago are now all being replaced.

But to the defensive line that is more of a challenge to place upon themselves personally than as a group.

“I think what we have to do is dominate; I really feel that we can be that good,” Lothe said.

One player even thought that all four members of the line should make all-conference by the time the year is over.

Those kind of lofty goals are something that Jackson and the coaching staff hope their players can accomplish, and they also know that it is their job to make these players ready to make that kind of impact.

“I really feel that this group can be as good as any front four in the conference,” Jackson said. “But they need to work as hard as they can now to accomplish that feat.”