By CHUCK CARLTON
The Dallas Morning News
Polar opposites in nearly every way, Michael Hodges and Von Miller have become a perfect match for the resurgent Texas A&M defense.
"They've been unbelievable leaders for our defense," said Tim DeRuyter, A&M's first-year defensive coordinator. "It's funny because it's almost the odd couple between Mike and Von, personality-wise.
"Von is definitely a joker. Mike is a much more serious guy. They bounce things off each other well."
As it has throughout A&M's six-game winning streak, their performance will be crucial in tonight's AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic against LSU.
Miller will be significant in generating a pass rush against LSU's quarterback tag-team of Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee. Hodges will be at the forefront of containing LSU 1,000-yard rusher Stevan Ridley.
Hodges and Miller have formed a mutual admiration society.
"I'm blessed to have Michael Hodges on my team," Miller said. "I don't think there's one play on the field where I don't ask him, 'What's the call?' or 'What am I supposed to be doing?' I owe all my success this season to Michael Hodges and the rest of the defense."
Miller plays the "Joker," a hybrid linebacker/defensive end position in DeRuyter's scheme, a bit of serendipity that fits. In a first for a Butkus Award winner and near-certain first-round NFL draft choice, Miller compared his trademark black glasses to those of Scooby Doo character Velma.
When DeRuyter was finalizing terminology with defensive backs coach Charles McMillian, he wondered if he should change "Joker" to something more familiar to A&M players.
McMillian's response: "No, Von's definitely a joker."
Miller was a disruptive force down the stretch, even though his sack numbers dipped from 2009.
"I told him before the season began, 'You won't have the same stats you had a year ago. You're not going to get that because people know who you are and they're going to know where you are and they're going to make it harder on you. But you can still play better,' " coach Mike Sherman said.
Hodges took a strange route to a team-high 111 tackles this season. He started his career at Air Force. Despite being a dean's list student who could have stepped off a recruiting poster, Hodges struggled.
"I couldn't find a way to be happy," Hodges said. "When I woke up in the morning, the only thing I looked forward to was going to bed at night."
He left the Academy and returned home to Helotes, Texas. Texas A&M was his only Bowl Subdivision option because of the walk-on tradition.
Hodges was conflicted until his mother, Christine, told him: "You'll always wonder if you could get to that Division I level."
He realized he could contribute on more than just special teams and with the help of former defensive coordinator Joe Kines bounced back from a torn knee ligament suffered on the final day of spring practice.
As Hodges was being examined, Kines put his hand on Hodges' shoulder.
"Don't worry," Kines said. "You're proven yourself."
Four months and one week later, he was back practicing.
Undersized for a middle linebacker at 226 pounds, Hodges plays much bigger. He'll need to against Ridley, a power back exactly his size.
"He's a physical back with great vision and balance," DeRuyter said. "Rarely does one guy get him down. We have to have multiple guys tackle him."
