On the defensive side of the ball, San Jose has struggled all season long. However, the SaberCats were tied for the league lead in sacks after the first seven games of the season and in the last seven have barely gotten to the opposing quarterback. Through the first seven games, San Jose had 15 sacks and seven interceptions with returned for touchdowns. In the last seven contests, the SaberCats have just eight sacks and five picks (no INT TDs).
2010 AFL Defensive Player/Lineman of the Year Gabe Nyenhuis recorded sacks in the first two games of the season, but was placed on injured reserve by Week Four. Last year, he set league marks in sacks and forced fumbles. Nyenhuis has been back on the field the last two games, but has failed to reach the QB. Two other linemen (Francis Maka and George Hypolite) were tied for the team lead in sacks (5.0), but have missed time during the skid and are both now on injured reserve.