Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Features / Making His Mark: Denmark’s big hits gets him big recognition

Making His Mark: Denmark’s big hits gets him big recognition

October 8, 2015 by Daniel Zepeda

Sam Denmark scouts the offense.

The opposing quarterback calls out the play as players on both sides of the ball move into position. Denmark sees everything around him and plans out his attack. He calls out the defensive play and prepares the defense for what looks like a run. The ball is snapped. It’s a fake hand off. The quarterback keeps it and gains two yards before looking up to see the full on sprint of Denmark.

Before he can react, Denmark wraps him up and brings him to the ground for the tackle. Denmark leaps up and gives one of his signature celebrations that brings the ACU faithful to their feet.

This is just one of the many plays the Wildcats have been accustomed to Denmark capitalizing on. As the Southland Conference’s leading tackler, sophomore linebacker Sam Denmark has become one of the anchors of this ACU defense in only his second year on the team.

“The biggest thing for me this year is a growing understanding of the defense,” Denmark said. “Last year, I’d go out there and I knew what I was doing, but I didn’t know what was going on around me all the time. Knowing this year what everyone’s job is and how we all come together has been huge.”

Huge is right. In just four games, Denmark has become one of the elite linebackers in the conference. Against Stephen F. Austin, Denmark put together an 18-tackle performance on the way to ACU’s 35-32 win. He followed it up the next week with a career-high 21 tackles against Central Arkansas.

To put it into perspective, Denmark’s 40 solo tackles on the season are 12 higher than the 28 tackles put together by Myke Tavarres of Incarnate Word, who ranks second in the conference and also has an extra game under his belt this year. Denmark’s 59 total tackles are nine higher than second placed Garrett Dolan of Houston Baptist who once again, has five games played, compared to four by Denmark.

“Our defensive scheme allows the linebackers to fly around out there and make tackles,” Denmark said. “It gives us a lot of freedom to make plays and do what we need to.”

Denmark put together several memorable games with highlight moments that made him stand out as a freshman. This year however, Denmark believes he has made the jump to the next level as one of the leaders on the defense.

“Last year, I was able to be successful because of the older guys on the team,” Denmark said. “Justin Stephens, Lyn Grady, without them, I would have been so lost. We have Lyn back this year with (Travis) Tarver and playing along those guys makes everything so easy and allows me to be successful. But those seniors last year really helped me realize what being a linebacker for ACU football is really all about.”

The casual fan may not recognize Denmark by his jersey number 34 on his back. But he often can be identified as the player who is all over the field running in every direction imaginable. For Denmark, he’d have it no other way.

“I’m definitely a defensive guy,” Denmark said. “All of high school I had to play both ways, but if it was up to me, I would have loved to play on just defense. I love being on defense because you get to be around the ball all the time and you’re the one getting to do the hitting. I was never a fan of being hit on offense, but I love getting to hit guys on defense. I believe that I was made to be a linebacker.”

That belief was born at an early age. As a kid in school, the native from Las Cruces, New Mexico tried several sports, but knew what his calling was.

“Football has always been big in my family,” Denmark said. “When I was young, like in elementary school, I was the kid who played soccer, t-ball and everything, but I always knew I wanted to play football. As soon as I was able to put the pads on in fifth grade, I was ready to play and I haven’t stopped since.”

The linebacker position has always been an extremely valuable position for the Wildcats. It’s served as the leaders of the defense and requires a high-level of football intelligence to be executed correctly.

“Every player on the defense is important,” Denmark said. “As a linebacker, you’ve got to sit back and fill the hole and do it all. Stop the run. Stop the pass. Do whatever the coach asks of you. It’s a big deal. You have to lead the defense and get people in the right position.”

With several teams in the Southland that pride themselves on offensive success, Denmark wants to make it clear that the ACU defense is elite and that leading the league in tackles is only the beginning.

“Each team in the conference is top tier so I have to be sure to bring my game every week,” Denmark said. “But that’s what I’m about. My goal individually is to be the best linebacker in the Southland. I feel like I’m on my way to being there and I only want to be better.”

Filed Under: Features, Sports Tagged With: Football

Other Features:

  • Ron Hadfield, moving forward after 39 years

  • Where to eat out in Abilene

  • FilmFest: ‘Ruby Letters’ lets grandfather help overcome a breakup

About Daniel Zepeda

You are here: Home / Features / Making His Mark: Denmark’s big hits gets him big recognition

Other Features:

  • Ron Hadfield, moving forward after 39 years

  • Where to eat out in Abilene

  • FilmFest: ‘Ruby Letters’ lets grandfather help overcome a breakup

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
4 May

"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray:
https://acuoptimist.com/2022/04/not-so-friendly-competition/

Reply on Twitter 1521918832738144257Retweet on Twitter 15219188327381442571Like on Twitter 15219188327381442578Twitter 1521918832738144257
acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
3 May

Royce Clough and Jael Morel have been named as Mr. and Miss ACU for the class of 2022, a traditional honor voted on by the student body and awarded to two members of each graduating class.

Reply on Twitter 1521607087553458178Retweet on Twitter 1521607087553458178Like on Twitter 152160708755345817819Twitter 1521607087553458178

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray: ... See MoreSee Less

Not-so-friendly competition - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

BY: LONDYN GRAY “Number 18, you look like you don’t shower!” I chuckled and shrugged it off. “Londyn!” They had looked up the roster. “Do you even brush your teeth?” I laughed again, rol...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and the Department of Theatre. ... See MoreSee Less

Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and th...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV

The Wildcats’ Western Athletic Conference tournament run and season came to a ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.9.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2022 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved

Posting....