After dropping some would-be interceptions a year ago, Dennis now has a team-high four picks for an SMU defense that ranks first in the country with 13 interceptions (photo by Travis Johnston).

PonyFans.com: A year after a season in which SMU gave up just over 38 points and nearly 480 yards per game, your defense is now giving up nearly 10 fewer points per game, is tied for second in the nation in takeaways and leads the entire country in interceptions with 13. What’s the biggest difference between last year’s defense and this year’s version?

Rock Dennis: Confidence — we believe in what we’re doing, and we know what we’re doing. Last year, we went through a lot of teaching, while everyone was still learning the defense. Instead of knowing what you had to do and just playing on the run, people were busy worrying about their assignment. This year, you can tell things are different, because when you know what you’re doing, you’re able to play a lot faster, and play without care. That’s what we’re doing: being aggressive and just flying around.

It’s not that the offenses slow down (with a year of experience running this defense) — it’s just that you’re able to recognize things a lot better, you’re processing things a lot faster. When you’ve got someone like a cornerback who’s a freshman … he’s not going to know to key (on) the hip, or pick up some of their breaks and tendencies. But once you get older, you start watching (opponents) on film, and going through game situations, and you’re able to process things a lot faster, like “he’s taking this type of step, so he’s only going to run this kind of route.”

PonyFans.com: A year ago, you had at least a couple of potential interceptions that you should have made, but dropped. Now you’re leading the team — and tied for fifth in the nation — with four through five games. What’s different about you this season?

Dennis: Just finishing. Me and my mom used to talk all the time back home. I used to just wonder how I could be a better player — whenever I’m done with the season, I start to wonder “what do I need to do to get better?” She always helped me out, telling me, “stay focused on what you need to do. Just go back to the film and watch what you messed up last year.”

Rock Dennis said the biggest difference between last year's SMU defense and the 2009 version is confidence (photo by David Mojica).

I messed up a lot last year on dropping picks. I would be on the JUGS machine all the time, but it just would not come to me. Now, I’m just finishing plays, like (secondary) Coach (Derrick) Odum preaches all the time. I was in his office a couple of times (last year), asking how I can take over a game and prevent us from losing. He said “you’re really not in a position to take over a game, so whenever you get a chance to make a play, you really have to capitalize.” So that’s what I’m trying to do now.

PonyFans.com: So you spend a lot of time on the JUGS machine this year, but you also spent a lot of time on the JUGS machine last year. But this year, you’re making interceptions. Are you doing something different with your hands, or with your technique catching the ball?

Dennis: I have no clue. I’ve dropped two (this year). One was a rocket that went right through my hands, and the other was way over the top of my head at the end of the ECU game — I just dropped that one. I was right there. I don’t think he (the ECU receiver) touched it. I was focused on the ball, and I didn’t see his hand touch it, but I don’t know — it was close.

PonyFans.com: When you went up, 28-14 against East Carolina, and then their return guy (Dwayne Harris) returns the next kickoff for a touchdown … considering the number of close games you went through last year, was there a moment of “oh no, here we go again…” on the SMU bench?

Dennis: No, not at all. You can feel it on the sidelines — it’s a lot different than it was last year on the sidelines. People are starting to believe that we can do things, and that we’re going to do things. As long as we execute, we should be fine, and as long as we keep the same belief that we always have in each other and in what the coaches are teaching us, we’ll be great.

Last year, it was like people would feed into what people were saying about us, so we did have the “oh no, here we go again…” moments. But we’re changing the culture around here, and we’re showing everyone that we’re not the same old SMU football.

Dennis said that if the SMU defense can match the Navy offense's discipline, the Mustangs will have a chance to be successful (photo by Travis Johnston).

PonyFans.com: (Head) Coach (June) Jones has talked about exactly that — changing the culture — ever since he got here last year. Among the players, who are the ringleaders with that effort, the guys who demand better performances from the rest of the team?

Dennis: Chase Kennemer. He’s not a yeller — he’s more subtle about it, and lets it come through with his play. Pete Fleps — he’s a great motivator, one of those guys who can talk to you and get you really motivated. And Youri (Yenga) — just by his work ethic alone, you can just tell that kid is going to be great. Youri never says anything. He’s really quiet. He just lets his play do his talking for him. But you can just feel his energy on the field, with the way he just goes after it.

It feeds into everyone around him, and it makes you want to go make a play. We always preach on this defense, “don’t let someone else make the play.” When you have 11 guys who all want to make the play, it looks pretty good.

PonyFans.com: What is it about the Navy offense that makes the Midshipmen so effective?

Dennis: They’re just a very disciplined team. They stick to their assignments, they get to the edge, they cut, and once they get on one block, they get to the next level really well. But if we stay disciplined and assignment-sound, we should be fine. If everyone reads their keys and makes the right adjustments when we need to, we’ll be OK.