The Huskies' own defense, a man-to-man, was smothering.

The nation's seventh-best defense smothered the Huskies.

UConn's defense has been smothering, its offense almost unstoppable from the low post, deadly from the perimeter.

Its defense was smothering, with a backcourt press and double-teaming everywhere.

Their defense was smothering another offense.

Its defense, especially when trapping, smothered Drexel and led to fast breaks.

But after Favre's two touchdown passes provided a quick 14-0 lead yesterday, the Eagles' defense smothered him.

Their defense has been smothering.

Even when the Buccaneers made mistakes, their defense smothered Warner and put a clamp on the Rams' running game.

If he blew it this time, thought the former SAS commando, the defense would smother him.