Defense breakdown: Georgia State

Hungry is a description that Army defensive coordinator Nate Woody repeated during his press conference Thursday.

Army’s defense came out with a fire and desire in its season-opening Army’s 43-10 win over Georgia State Saturday.

Junior defensive end Chris Frey was one of the many players who impressed in the effort. Frey, in his first college start, made three tackles, including combining with Nolan Cockrill on a fourth-down stop of Georgia State running back Destin Coates in the third quarter.

“Chris is incredibly tough guy that is focused and is a good leader for our defensive unit,” Woody said. “He works hard. He’s a strong guy. Chris is one of those guys that have improved so much from last year to this year. He’s been a great surprise for me and a guy that I feel can not only help us in our two-deep but he’s can also play possibly any of the three defensive line positions for us.”

Another player with that hungry attitude is junior linebacker Andre Carter, Woody said. Carter’s three sacks were the most by an Army player since James Nachtigal’s 3.5 against Houston in the 2018 Armed Forces Bowl.

Senior safety Cedrick Cunningham played all 48 defensive snaps.

Turnovers created: 2 (Arik Smith fumble recovery, fourth play of game), Jabari Moore interception (4th of career)

Third-down defense: Georgia State converted 4-of-10 attempts

Penalties: 1 (Personal foul, Kwabena Bonsu)

Georgia State 3-and-outs: 3

Georgia State starting field position: Georgia State 22

Georgia State plays of 20 yards or more: 0

Here’s a player breakdown of the 48 snaps (based off DVR)

*S Cedrick Cunningham (48 plays): 4 tackles, 1 quarterback hurry, 21st career start
*LB Arik Smith (45 plays): 5 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery, 1 quarterback hurry, 24th career start
*S Marquel Broughton (40 plays): 6 tackles, 0.5 tackle for loss, 1 pass breakup, 13th career start
*LB Andre Carter (38 plays): 4 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 3rd career start
*DE Kwabena Bonsu (37 plays): 5 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 14th career start
*NT Nolan Cockrill (37 plays): 2 tackles, 0.5 tackle for loss, 13th career start
*CB Julian McDuffie (35 plays): 7 tackles, 6th career start
*CB Jabari Moore (33 plays): 2 tackles, 1 interception, 13th career start
LB Spencer Jones (26 plays): 4 tackles
*Apache Malkelm Morrison (24 plays): 4 tackles, 21st career start
*DE Chris Frey (23 plays): 3 tackles, 1st career start
*LB Brian Burton (22 plays): 3 tackles, 1st career start
Apache Daryan McDonald (21 plays):
DE Nate Smith (21 plays): 1 tackle
CB Isaiah Morris (15 plays): 1 pass breakup
CB Cam Jones (13 plays): 2 tackles
DE Austin Hill (12 plays)
NT Isaiah Filisi (11 plays)
LB Jaylen Jacobs (12 plays)
S Quindrelin Hammonds (9 plays): 1 tackle
LB Peyton Hampton (3 plays)
LB-S Jimmy Ciarlo (2 plays): 1 tackle, 0.5 tackle for loss
LB Fabrice Voyne (1 play)