FSU defense seeks more game-changing plays during second half of 2022 season

While the Florida State football team ranks near the top of the ACC in some key statistics, including total defense and pass defense, the Seminoles have their eyes locked in on one important category where they have not been impressive.

Just past the midway point of the season, FSU is tied for 89th in the nation in turnovers gained, recording just eight takeaways so far in seven games.

FSU has four interceptions and four fumble recoveries, while some of the nation’s leaders have forced 17 or even 18 turnovers after seven outings.

That lack of takeaways has become even more noteworthy in the Seminoles’ three straight losses, with each coming against a team ranked in the nation’s Top 25. FSU forced only one total turnover in losses to Wake Forest, N.C. State and Clemson.

“You look at the last three opponents we’ve played, and they’ve done a good job of not beating themselves,” FSU head coach Mike Norvell said.

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At the same time, Norvell believes the defense can do more to force opponents into making mistakes.

“We’ve got to create takeaways. That’s something that’s, sometimes it’s violent collisions, sometimes it’s just getting the ball on the ground,” Norvell said. “We’ve made some explosive plays defensively, and that’s where it’s kind of a two-fold.

“You’ve got to give credit to the opponent. When you’re putting pressure on somebody, when you’re able to get to them … either they’re doing a good job of not putting the ball in jeopardy, but on the flipside of it, we’ve got to be able to create those. We’ve had some opportunities; I think there’s been some times that we absolutely could be better in helping force some of that unrest.”

When it comes to fumble recoveries, FSU ranks No. 59 in country, while the ’Noles’ four picks are tied with Virginia for only No. 11 in the ACC.

“It’s something we all take ownership in, whether it’s coaches, players,” Norvell said. “There are opportunities that … we’ve got to create more of those opportunities to be able to create more explosive plays.”

FSU’s defensive players work on drills in practice that are designed to help force takeaways, but senior defensive tackle Robert Cooper noted that those skills maybe aren’t making their way to the field on Saturdays as much as the ‘Noles would prefer.

“Start harping, focusing on the little things. Too many mistakes, that’s the best I can say,” Cooper said. “Once we start focusing on the little things, big things will start happening. That’s all I can say.”

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Taking the whole picture into account, FSU’s turnover margin as a team is a dead-even at zero, which ranks No. 69 in the NCAA. The Seminoles have thrown five interceptions and lost three fumbles.

While FSU could surely use more turnovers out of the defense before embarking on a key five-game stretch that features both main rivals, that doesn’t mean the unit overall is struggling. The ’Noles rank just inside the top 25 nationally and third in the ACC in total defense, while second in the conference in passing yards per game allowed.

Norvell acknowledged there is a balance between striving for turnovers and gambling too much, which can lead to undisciplined play, but he definitely wants to see more production.

“I want guys to be aggressive. I think you can be both, ultimately, I’ve got confidence in the guys that I coach. You can be aggressive and still do your job in not giving up the vertical play,” Norvell said. “As we continue to hit those fundamentals and the execution of those assignments … you can be aggressive and still limit the explosive plays, and our guys have done a great job of not giving up explosive plays throughout the year.”

Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.