Hoosiers DEs Put Heat On Opposing Quarterbacks

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana defensive ends Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton seem inseparable on the football field.

They take turns answering questions, walk together off the practice field and frequently find themselves hanging out at their favorite meeting place - the offensive backfield.

Individually, either would be a menace for opponents. Together, the two seniors are an absolute nightmare.

"I think it allows us to be effective on the edges and up front," Kirlew said. "Having two solid, great defensive ends creates problems for a lot of opposing teams."

Middleton has 23 career sacks, third on Indiana's career list. Kirlew has 19, fifth all-time. It's the first time in school history classmates have made it into the top five and their 42 combined sacks are more than any other defensive end combination in the country.

Two years ago, Middleton led the nation with 16 sacks and was one of eight finalists for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award. When offenses paid more attention to stopping Middleton last season, Kirlew took advantage, finishing with a team-high 10½ sacks and becoming a finalist for the Hendricks Award.

Now the tag-team tandem is even more productive.

It has combined for 5½ sacks and 14 tackles for loss this season. Last week at Michigan, Middleton finished with two sacks and 2½ tackles for loss while Kirlew had two tackles for loss and forced and recovered a fumble on the same play.

This week, they'll challenge No. 9 Ohio State (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten), a team that has noticed the fearsome duo on tape.

"Their defensive line is really good and a lot of their guys have a lot of experience," said Buckeyes tight end Jake Ballard, who may have to help block Kirlew and Middleton on Saturday. "One of them even played against us three years ago when he was a true freshman. They might be one of the best defensive ends (groups) we've played yet."

Middleton and Kirlew are both listed at 6-foot-3, play with energy and prefer using speed moves against massive offensive linemen.

Coaches at Indiana (3-1, 0-1) see the distinctions.

"Jammie is probably a little more stout against the run, and Greg is probably a little better as a pass rusher," defensive ends coach George Ricumstrict said. "But they both do a good job of getting to the quarterback, that's for sure."

Perhaps the greatest oddity is that they are working here in Bloomington in unison.

Middleton originally committed to play at Indiana's biggest rival, Purdue, but backed out. At 285 pounds, he has ideal size to play in the NFL and Ricumstrict describes him as a "physical freak."

After a breakout sophomore season, Middleton struggled in 2008, finishing with just four sacks and 18 tackles. The dismal season prompted Middleton to change his attitude.

"I wanted to go out on a great note, so I worked a little harder in the offseason and I'm a little hungrier," he said.

Work has never been the issue for Kirlew. Size has.

At 263 pounds, he's light by Big Ten and NFL standards, and instead has relied on a relentless work ethic.

"Jammie is definitely consistent and he works at it," Ricumstrict said. "I remember watching him as a freshman and wondering if he could play in the Big Ten."

There's no doubt now.

Instead, the biggest challenge for Middleton and Kirlew against Ohio State will be trying to keep Terrelle Pryor in check. The first rule: Contain Pryor, who leads the Buckeyes with 235 yards rushing. And if they can keep him in the pocket, then they can chase him down.

"We're still going to rush the passer hard, but the biggest thing is we know he has the ability to skate out of there, so we've got to come underneath and get vertical," Ricumstrict said. "You've got to keep him in the pocket as best we can."

And with Kirlew and Middleton, well, anything is possible.

"Our goal, if we don't get sacks is put pressure on them (quarterbacks) as much as we can," Kirlew said. "We've got to act like we've been there before and we can't stop."