The only reason we're alive is because we really believe it. Coach Howland has been preaching defense since Day 1 and our level of focus has really risen. We really believe in what the coaching staff is teaching us.

The only statistic we look at on defense is points allowed, and on defense we allowed 12 points. That's a pretty darn good night.

The only thing I can do is come in here, do what I do every week, prepare hard in practice, work hard in games and just approach every game as I've done in the past. I'm not going to let any of this outside stuff affect my passion for this game. I love this game, I play for the fun of it. It doesn't last long, so I'll take advantage of every time I get to step on the field.

The players never like hearing it, but I told them before the game and at the half, the reason we're where we are is because we have played defense and done an incredible job on the boards. I told them at the half that I didn't understand why we don't have 10 to 12 charges. They were going to the goal out of control, ducking their heads. And I said 'somebody step up,' and they did.

The players right now, like the coaches, are searching for an identity, ... With new players on defense, they are trying to find a balance of what we want to do and what the players do best. I think that is still, unfortunately, a work in progress and will be for a number of weeks.