Defensive front keys turnaround

As has been the tradition following victories, Florida State players gathered around in the locker room in the moments following their 26-23 win over Boston College to witness who would break “the rock,” a flat concrete slab that the Seminoles use to represent a specific challenge.

This time around, the sledgehammer found its way into the hands of defensive coordinator Adam Fuller, who became the first assistant to receive the recognition. It was a moment captured and shared on social media.

“I had a player in mind that was going to break it, but a couple of defensive players came up and asked me to let Coach Fuller break the rock,” said coach Mike Norvell.

Said Fuller: “When he called my name, obviously it was a little bit of shock to me. It’s a team thing and somebody’s got to break it, but to hear the players wanted it, I can’t tell you what that feels like. That’s a moment that you’re super proud of.”

FSU has won 5 of 7 games after an 0-4 start.

Some of the credit for the turnaround goes to the defense, which has grown by leaps and bounds. The Seminoles went from allowing 31 points per game in September to 23 in October and November.

The addition of graduate transfers Jermaine Johnson II and Keir Thomas has revitalized a front that went from 10 sacks in 2020 to 32. Johnson leads the ACC in sacks (11) and tackles for loss (17), while Thomas added 6.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss.

“I love it when people doubt my team or me,” said Johnson. “It’s something I feed off individually and it’s something our team feeds off being the underdog. I think we’re using that. We’re the underdogs and that’s fine. If we believe in our abilities, we’ll be fine.”

What was once a deficiency has become an asset to the point that the Seminoles have relied on late defensive stands in backto-back wins over Miami and Boston College.

“I like to see our defense finish games,” said Norvell. “I like the ways our guys are playing to finish. It was huge against Miami and it was huge against Boston College.”

Said Fuller: “We’ve been best this year when our backs against the wall, whether it’s red zone or sudden changes or critical stops in the fourth quarter. We want to operate like that for all 60 minutes, but we’re not there yet. We’re fighting to be there.”

Fuller credits the team’s preparation for its ability to handle adverse situations late in games.

“You can put pressure on your players in meetings, you can put pressure on your players and individual in practice and that doesn’t mean it’s a negative connotation; that’s just trying to make it as real as possible,” Fuller said. “So, when the moment happens, it’s not too big for them. They feel like they’ve been there before.”

Preparing for 2 QBs: One concern facing the Seminoles’ defense is who will play quarterback for Florida.

While Emory Jones has been the primary signal-caller, the Gators also have turned to Anthony Richardson to direct the offense.

Jones leads the team in total offense with 3,073 yards including 2,400 yards through the air while Richardson’s big-play capabilities have made the redshirt freshman an explosive threat on the ground.

“As they’ve grown throughout the offense, you’ve seen where certain guys are more comfortable when asked to do certain things than the others,” said Norvell. “These guys are capable quarterbacks; you have to account for their arms as well as their legs.”