Northern Kentucky Defensive Leaders

Then why do they post offensive stats? Seems odd.

I'd assume, but don't definitively know, that the theory is that if making tackles becomes a point of emphasis, defenders will not do their assignments, rather they will be more interested in making tackles. When that happens, a defense breaks down. For defensive success, as a unit, each player must fulfill his assignment every play. Often performing that assignment puts a defender in a position where he could not make the tackle on that play. Kid does exactly what he is supposed to, but isn't in a position to make a tackle. I know of instances where Highlands players got chewed out for actually making tackles because they weren't doing their assignments but rather were freelancing.

Offensively, only the guy getting his number called can score. So you won't have, for example, a WR failing to do his assignment so he can get the ball on that play and score or catch the pass. It doesn't work that way. Yeah, I guess a WR could not do his assignment of blocking with the hope that the RB won't score that play and perhaps the next play will be a pass thrown his way so he can score, but there is no guarantee that a pass his way will be called the next play.

In other words, an offensive player could blow off his assignment every play in order to seek individual success, but it can't happen if his number isn't called that play. Whereas, a defender could blow off his assignment every play to seek individual success and it could work sometimes but in doing so make the defense more vulnerable on future plays.

Does the above make sense? I'm having a hard time explaining what I'm thinking (brain dead this afternoon I guess), so maybe not.

Furthermore, there is a lot more objectivity in offensive stats. Yards gained, tds scored, passes caught are what they are. A tackle? Unfortunately, a tackle is often in the eye of the beholder. Won't name the kid or the school, but a few years back an opponent was credited with making a bunch of tackles against Highlands. I went back and watched play by play on tape. There was no way the kid made that many tackles unless flopping on the pile as the RB was pretty much on the ground is considered a tackle. JUst very subjective stuff.