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Florida State football's defense fails on the fundamentals in upset loss to Georgia Tech
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- Florida State football's defense fails on the fundamentals in upset loss to Georgia Tech
Florida State football entered the 2024 season with optimism that its defense could be better than the 2023 version.
While that statement may yet read true, the No. 10 ranked Seminoles ' 24-21 upset loss to Georgia Tech Saturday in Ireland challenged that belief.
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The Seminoles surrendered 336 yards of total offense, 190 rushing. The Yellow Jackets scored three rushing touchdowns on three trips inside the red zone. The win was also Georgia Tech 's first over a top-10 opponent since a 22-16 victory over the Seminoles in October 2015.
"That rushing offense was No. 1 in the league a year ago, and they returned everybody, and they've got a lot of dynamic players," FSU coach Mike Norvell said.
FSU's defensive identity and mindset revolves around playing physically from the line to the secondary. Unfortunately, Georgia Tech won the physical battle.
FSU's defense must set the edge when dealing with dual-threat quarterbacks
Georgia Tech wide receiver Malik Rutherford runs with the ball against Florida State on August 24, 2024, at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Mandatory Credit: Tom Maher/INPHO via USA TODAY Sports
FSU had issues in the past dealing with mobile quarterbacks, and Haynes King was effective enough to disrupt the Seminoles. He completed 11 of 16 passed for 146 yards and added 54 rushing yards on 15 carries.
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Georgia Tech successfully ran the football laterally, and the defense failed to force the ball inside. The Seminoles failed to contain King when the ball was in his hands. FSU's starting quartet inside combined for six tackles, none for a loss.
Norvell said setting the edge was the biggest X-factor in FSU's defensive woes.
"Haynes is a really good quarterback," Norvell said. "Obviously being that dynamic in his game of being able to run, he's got great speed. There are some times that we were in position, but he did a good job of getting to the edge."
FSU's defensive line was completely manhandled against Georgia Tech's front five, especially on the right side. However, Norvell didn't see it that way.
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"I'm going to go see the film," Norvell said. "I didn't think it was from a lack of physicality. There's some plays here and there where we're on the edge of blocks. We got to be better and tighter in certain situations. "
Florida State football must do a better job of tackling
The biggest disappointment on FSU's defense was poor tackling in the open field. The Seminoles failed to wrap up.
Georgia Tech also created open lanes for running back Jamal Haynes to make a big play on the ground. He finished with 75 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 6.8 yards a carry.
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On one play in the fourth quarter, Haynes broke four tackles on a short route to him, which led to a first down and a third down. Georgia Tech went 3 of 3 in the red zone.
It's time for FSU to get back into the basics of playing inside out and wrapping up instead of hand tackling and playing chase ball the day.
Looking ahead: FSU defense can bounce back against Boston College 's dual-threat QB
This was not a good showing for the Seminoles after Norvell preaches physicality and consistency for the defense.
Luckily, it's still a long season, and FSU has more than enough time to recover and correct its mistakes before its Labor Day showdown against Boston College at Doak Campbell Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
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Boston College also has a mobile quarterback in Thomas Castellanos , who had 3,361 total yards of offense last year.
The Eagles almost upset the Seminoles, with Castellanos leading 305 passing yards, 95 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns. FSU pulled away with a 31-29 victory but was on its heels the game.
What a way for the FSU defense to bounce back and shut down the junior quarterback and avoid an 0-2 start in the ACC.
Florida State football schedule 2024
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Aug. 24 vs. Georgia Tech *Dublin, Ireland at noon., ESPN
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Sept. 2 vs. Boston College at 7:30 p.m., ESPN
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Sept. 14 vs. Memphis
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Sept. 21 vs. California
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Sept. 28 at SMU
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Oct. 5 vs. Clemson
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Oct. 18 at Duke
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Oct. 26 at (U) Miami
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Nov. 2 vs. North Carolina
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Nov. 9 at Notre Dame
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Nov. 23 vs. Charleston Southern
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Nov. 30: Florida
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Dec. 7: ACC Championship
BOLD = ACC
* = Neutral Site
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State football upset loss shows defense must do basics better
