Pierson, Taylor provide experience on ISU defensive line

AMES - A calendar year of experience has brought a world of change for Dale Pierson.

Pierson showed flashes of what he could bring as last season progressed, but nothing compares to where he finds himself now. The 6-foot-2, 249-pound senior started the final two games of last season and accumulated 22 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.

But the number that has motivated the former junior college player to absorb any coaching he can? Three. That's the number of snaps he saw in last year's season opener against North Dakota State.

'And the last one was a knee. I remember that,” Pierson said. 'That's all I remember and I don't ever want to go back to that.”

Off-season conditioning, plus his role as a leader on the defensive line has seen Pierson elevated to the top of the depth chart at right end. Fellow senior Trent Taylor is at the top on the left side and together, the two have tried to bring what they learned as newcomers last fall to their position room.

Taylor and Pierson had different trajectories last season, but have found themselves at the same point. Taylor started eight games, but planed off a bit because his body started to wear down while Pierson grew into a force on the line. Similar paths have led to similar skills honed in the off-season.

'We're pushing each other,” Taylor said. 'He motivates me and he has a great motor. Every time I see that it makes me go harder so we basically just feed off each other.”

Defensive Ends Coach Stan Eggen is getting what he wants from his veteran ends through fall camp. He's preached to his older guys to coach the younger players, particularly Jhaustin Thomas, who could provide a valuable piece to the group with his size at 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds.

'It's a unit. If you're successful, we're all successful and I really see them doing that,” Eggen said. 'It's a compliment toward their ability and experience to understand what they're supposed to do but to try to get this team to become better.”

'That's the number one thing I saw as we started training camp: watching those junior college players observe the new junior college players,” Rhoads said. 'They did it with a twinkle in their eye and a smile on their face because they knew exactly what they were going through. Now it's a way of life.”

Taylor and Pierson brought different strengths to the position last year with Taylor using size and strength to combat larger offensive linemen while Pierson used his quickness and speed to rush the pass. When it comes to intensity, Eggen and his defensive ends aren't short in any way.

'Honestly I don't think any of us have been coached by a guy like Coach Eggen,” Taylor said. 'He is balls to the wall every day and in your face. Intensity is high every day and I really think it's going to help us. We're going to need it.”

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