FSU not too worried by recent spate of turnovers
’Noles have lost the ball 18 times in past seven games
TALLAHASSEE— Since wins have greatly outweighed losses for Florida State this season, the Seminoles’ concern about struggling to create turnovers on defense and giving up too many turnovers in other phases of the game this season has been relatively low.
After all, FSU’s defense ranks second nationally in yards allowed and has proven to be the nation’s second- best unit when it comes to getting off the field on third downs, as well.
“As long as they’re not catching them and going in for touchdowns, shoot, it’s all [a good thing],” Seminoles safety Terrence Brooks said.
FSU’s offense is likewise scoring more than 40 points a game and has been operating at an efficient clip all year. So, when it comes to what is a burgeoning and growing turnover issue for the Seminoles, there has been very little reason to perceive it as a major problem.
But statistics show that entering their ACCchampionship game against Georgia Tech (6-6) Saturday, turnovers on both sides of the ball have been trending negatively in the past seven games. Defensively, the Seminoles (10-2) haven’t been securing them quite at the clip they’d like, and on offense, they have been coughing them up far more than they did earlier in the season.
“You’ve got to take care of the football,” coach Jim- bo Fisher often says. “You can’t turn it over, that’s for sure.”
Since FSU’s Week 6 loss to NC State, though, that’s all the Seminoles have been doing.
After starting the season with just five turnovers through the first five games, the Seminoles have amassed18 in their past seven. Against rival Florida last week at Doak Campbell Stadium, the Seminoles gave up the ball five times.
Last year, FSU ranked 37th with a 0.31 turnover margin. This year, they rank 95th with a -0.50 turnover margin.
Twice during the 36-27 to UF loss, the Seminoles fumbled. Oneof those came when senior quarterback EJ Manuel took a hard hit to the head and gut that caused the ball to pop loose and fall to the turf. The tackle was such a devastat- ing blow that Manuel was run from the contest and evaluated on the sideline for a possible concussion and rib injury.
Manuel also threw three uncharacteristic interceptions, tying a career-high set when he was a redshirt freshman.
Earlier in the game, sophomore kick returner Karlos Williams also fumbled when he lost the handle on the ball as he entered traffic.
“I should have taken the knee [in the end zone],” Williams said. “It was a situation where I wanted to make something happen. I should have done the responsible thing and took the knee. I cameout the end zone, wasn’t carrying the ball properly trying to make something happen.”
In his eyes, it is when players try to do too much, often while trailing in a game, that the lost turnovers occur. By remaining calm, cool and collected at all times, the Seminoles can cut down on the offensive and special teams turnovers, he said.
“Big things happenwhen they just come to you naturally,” Williams said. “You don’t have to make something happen if it’s not there.”
Brooks said the same can be said for creating turnovers on defense. So far, the Seminoles have gained just 17 this season. A year ago, they finished with 23 in 13 games played.
“If you try to get out of your element and you just try to do more than what you usually do instead of just playing your game and knowing how to play, it’s going to mess you up,” Brooks said.