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02/01/2012
Segment 15
Interview with assistant coach Matt Yoches. Highlights of Ian Sampson, Adam Smith, and Dylan Heyvaert.
Matt Yoches enters his sixth year on the Laker coaching staff and will coach the defensive line in 2011. In addition to coaching the defensive line, Yoches will serve as the recruiting coordinator. Yoches' defensive lines have been some of the most dominant in DII football the last five years, evidenced by 13 All-GLIAC honors and five all-america selections among his position group. The defensive line spearheaded a defensive unit that ranked nationally in several categories, including in the top 20 for sacks and tackles for loss.
Yoches' 2010 defensive line was hit hard by the injury bug, however, those same performers that missed either the entire season or a significant portion of the season return for the 2011 campaign.
The 2009 Laker defensive line played a key role in a defense that ranked 15th nationally in scoring defense (17.7 ppg), 17th in rushing defense (95.6 ypg), and 13th in QB sacks (48). In addition, the Laker defense recorded 107 tackles for loss, a total that led the GLIAC and ranked 47th nationally. The Laker defense led the GLIAC in five categories and ranked among the top 10 in every listing. Yoches tutored junior defensive end Danny Richard, the 2009 GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year, while Nick Lawrence and Alex Gilde earned All-GLIAC plaudits.
The 2008 Laker defense led the GLIAC in six different categories and ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring defense (4th/12.6), QB sacks (2nd/4.17) and tackles for loss (6th/9.17). GVSU also ranked 17th in total defense (278.9), tallied two shutouts and limited seven opponents to 10 points or less on the year. Justin Victor and Brad Howard both earned All-GLIAC honors as linebackers under Yoches.
Yoches guided the 2007 GVSU defensive line to 28 QB sacks and 49.5 tackles for loss. GVSU led the GLIAC in scoring defense (14.5), total defense (303.6), pass efficiency defense (95.6) and QB sacks (42), while ranking second in pass defense (154.7) and rush defense (148.9). Grand Valley State held nine-of-13 opponents under 14 points and only one scored more than 21 points. Junior Dan Skuta earned all-america honors, while senior Ryan Gaydosh and freshman Danny Richard earned All-GLIAC plaudits.
Yoches' defensive line dominated the line of scrimmage in 2006. The Laker defensive line played a key role in holding opponents to seven points or less five times, including a shutout in the season-opener at Findlay. GVSU led the nation in QB sacks per game (3.53), while ranking fifth in turnovers gained (37). The Lakers held 8-of-15 foes under 100 yards rushing. Four members of the Laker defensive line ranked among the top eight tacklers and accounted for 57 tackles for loss and 28 quarterback sacks. Defensive tackle Mike McFadden was honored as the GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year for the second straight year and became the first two-time winner of the Gene Upshaw Award which is presented to the top interior lineman in Division II football. Defensive tackle Derrick Jones joined McFadden on the All-GLIAC First-Team.
Yoches turned in a stellar four-year career for the Lakers on the defensive line (2000-2003). A four-year letterwinner for the Lakers on the defensive front, Yoches was part of GVSU's back-to-back National Championship teams in 2002-03. He tallied 38 tackles, 12 tackles for loss (-67) and five QB sacks (-42) during his senior campaign. Matt received All-GLIAC plaudits and was named to the CoSIDA District Four All-Academic squad as a senior.
Yoches recorded 68 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss (-67) and seven QB sack (-42) in his career. GVSU was 48-6 during his career with two National Championships and two GLIAC titles.
A Dearborn Heights, Mich. native, Matt graduated from Grand Valley State in 2004 with a movement science degree and is currently working on his master's. Matt and his wife, the former Adrienne Lubeck, are the proud parents of Samuel (4) and Danielle (2).
