Dana Holgorsen's nemesis comes to Stillwater

With Holgorsen directing Houston's offense in the Armed Forces Bowl last December, Air Force shackled his Cougars, holding them to a season-low passing total of 222 yards. The Falcons picked off six passes and held Houston — the nation's top-ranked offense — without a touchdown through the first half, on their way to a 47-20 rout.

DeRuyter was Air Force's defensive coordinator.

Now he's due in Stillwater Thursday night, bringing the same aggressive, attacking defense with A&M that he spun into one of the nation's stingiest units at Air Force.

At Air Force.

And if a key matchup can be waged away from the field, this is it.

Holgorsen vs. DeRuyter.

Sure, a coach's impact carries only so far, before the players take over, succeeding or failing in the plan. But the right plan, and everybody's commitment to the plan, can be critical.

Games like this, as with many throughout the Big 12 schedule, are why Aggies coach Mike Sherman brought DeRuyter on board, luring him from his alma mater to restore the attitude and aptitude that once earned A&M's defense the "Wrecking Crew" reputation.

The Aggies played matador defense a year ago, finishing 105th among 120 teams in total defense and allowing at least 35 points in each of seven losses. That sent former defensive coordinator Joe Kines into retirement and cleared the way for DeRuyter's move to College Station.

"He does an unbelievable job of mixing things up," Holgorsen said of DeRuyter. "His scheme is good against the run, but he has led the nation in pass defense the last couple of years.