Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue strips the ball for his record-setting sack during the Terps’ game against Indiana at Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium on Nov. 21, 2015.
Terrapins football defensive end Yannick Ngakoue broke the program single-season sacks record Saturday against Indiana.
Ngakoue, a junior, entered the game with 12.5 sacks, a half sack away from tying the record. He got the record-breaking sack with 6:36 left in the first quarter after forcing Nate Sudfeld to fumble. It was originally called an interception after defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson caught the loose ball, but they later reversed the call and awarded Ngakoue with the sack.
He’s now had at least a half sack in the past 10 games.
Mark Duda and Bruce Palmer were the previous single-season record holders.
READ MORE: Ngakoue hones skills with pass-rush guru
Ngakoue was an outsider linebacker in a 3-4 defense the past two season but moved to defensive end this season as the Terps transitioned to a 4-3.
“I know he’s always been a really good pass rusher,” defensive coordinator Keith Dudzinski said Wednesday. “He’s kind of has that natural ability, but I think he’s becoming that complete player that we’ve talked about all season.”
In recent weeks, Ngakoue has been asked repeatedly about the record. He’s always maintained that the record doesn’t mean anything to him. He just wants to win games.
But Saturday, he etched his name into the program’s record book.
