Senior cornerback Darqueze Dennard said the “no-fly zone” started in the offseason when the secondary took it personally to put in the extra work to be prepared for the upcoming season.

“The defensive back field went with, “no-fly zone,” Dennard said. “Basically, we can’t let any passes go, can’t let anybody catch a lot of passes — basically control the air.”

Each section of the defense has their own slogans: linebackers are dubbed the “Bomb Squad,” the defensive line is the “A-Wall” and of course, the defensive backs will make the no-fly zone.

Senior safety Isaiah Lewis said the defense is starting off where they did last year and the young guys are picking up things fast.

“(We’re) carrying that momentum from last year,” Lewis said. “This year, I want to be the first-ranked defense, No. 1 (out of) everything on the chart.”

Despite their success, Lewis said to make the improvements needed to continue as the best defense in the nation, they are going to have to create more turnovers and create points off those turnovers.

Dennard said he is trying to take on more of a leadership role in the secondary in 2013.

“(I’m focused on) stepping up (and) taking a new approach with things, being more vocal to the defensive back group the best that I can,” Dennard said.

Sophomore cornerback Trae Waynes had a breakout performance in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl last season and credited a lot of the improvements in his game to former MSU cornerback Johnny Adams and Dennard.

Waynes said he feels if the secondary pushes and works together they can be a top-ranked defense in the league.

“Day one, Darqueze has been on my back trying to get me better (and has) been pushing me,” Waynes said. “Even in the summer, working out, he made me go with him so we can get better.”