[ad_1]
Florida State Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois (12) passes as the Florida State Seminoles host the Samford Bulldogs at Doak Campbell Stadium.(Photo: Glenn Beil, Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports)
Florida State won their first game of the season Saturday night, but very few people in Tallahassee have a smile.
The Seminoles came from behind for a 36-26 win over FCS Samford after trailing for more than 53 minutes.
Samford passed the FSU 525-454, but the Seminoles were able to win enough turnovers and big games to secure the win.
FSU's performance against the Bulldogs came just five days after its 24-3 loss to Virginia Tech on Labor Day.
"It's something we need to continue to evaluate and see if we can be better," said FSU coach Willie Taggart.
"We took the ball first in this match hoping to start fast, the first game we had in the second half, we have to keep watching and see what we can do better.
"The most important thing is to look at what we are doing schematically and technically, then try to fix it and make sure our colleagues are doing it the way we need it."
There are many problems for Seminoles in all three phases of the game, but here are three particularly troubling areas.
The offensive line of the FSU is worse than we could have expected
The offensive line of the FSU was down twice due to injuries. The Seminoles finished the game with a third-string tackler and a third-string guard playing significant snapshots.
Left tackle Jauan Williams was particularly poor in his first two starts. He was beaten for Abdul Bello in the first match and fought to block the defensive ends of Samford.
The offensive line FSU expected to start the season was Landon Dickerson (right tackle), Cole Minshew (right guard), Alec Eberle (center), Derrick Kelly (left guard) and Williams (left tackle).
The Seminoles had Kelly (right tackle), Baveon Johnson (right guard), Eberle (center), Arthur Williams (left guard) and Brady Scott (left tackle) at the end of the game.
Johnson is the rescue center. He went on guard because there was no one else, and Scott was the third team forward before the season. Arthur Williams played plating until a month ago.
The Seminoles averaged only 4.2 yards per race (with a sack gap) against an opponent whose size advantage they had a significant advantage.
There is a complete lack of confidence in the offensive line at this stage. This was evident from the decision to throw a flat pass on the third and last instead of trying to dominate a defensive line from the FCS in the third quarter.
Taggart has inherited a mess on the offensive line, and it will take a long time to fix what Jimbo Fisher and Rick Trickett have left him.
"I think it's correctable," Taggart said.
"Again, we have to continue teaching as coaches and help our guys.I think to play from the front, to really succeed upstream, you need a group of guys playing together, having a synergy to run the way you need.We have a lot of guys coming in and out and it's hard to find a rhythm. "
More: Honeymoon Phase is Over for Willie Taggart of the State of Florida | Wayne McGahee
More: Three victories of the 36-26 victory of the Florida State on Samford
More: Notebook: Willie Taggart wins first victory at FSU, defense secures bag
Critical error after a critical error
Penalties, falls and bad execution helped the Seminoles to leave a lot of points on the board.
The Seminoles were 23-21 in the third quarter and had a promising start before raining yellow flags.
Samford defensive end Ahmad Gooden was sent off for targeting a quarter-helmet against quarterback Deondre Francois. However, FSU did not get the 15 yards because of a penalty for keeping.
Two games later and FSU running back Jacques Patrick broke off a 16-yard rush that was recalled due to illegal training.
The next match, Francois hit tight winger Tre & # 39; McKitty for a 32-yard gain, but this one was also canceled because FSU got misplaced and McKitty was not eligible.
This single FSU lost 63 yards due to penalties.
The Seminoles finished with nine penalties for 69 yards, but in reality, these critical penalties cost them much more than that.
The FSU has also experienced critical declines at untimely times.
Francois hit a wide George Campbell in his hands as he slid down the sidelines, but Campbell dropped the ball. If he had caught it, the game was going to be a touchdown after Campbell had the defensive back beat.
Instead, the FSU was forced to kick.
"We will correct the mistakes," said Francois.
"We will practice and we will evaluate the mistakes we have made and correct them."
The FSU could have been at half-time and could have taken the lead in the fourth if Ricky Aguayo scored one of two goals he was attempting in the match.
Aguayo is 1-for-4 to start the season. His two missing ones ended up in big Saturday with the Seminoles two less than the second half.
There were big chunks for the Seminoles, but all too often FSU pursues a big game by shooting in the foot.
Too many holes in defense
Devlin Hodges is perhaps the best quarterback at FCS this season, but that does not mean he should have had 475 passing yards against the FSU defense.
Hodges had an incredible game – even with his four interceptions – where he was forced to throw the ball 60 times. He completed 39 passes and also made two touchdowns.
Hodges was able to enjoy 1-on-1 coverage when he was able to get it. He was also able to separate the holes in the middle of the field too easily.
Samford receiver Kelvin McKnight has always been able to find a place in the defense and Samford has managed to make his way through the night.
"I knew very early that we were playing too much, some guys, and we were not going to watch," Taggart said.
"He did a good job getting it out of his hands and allowed us to beat a few times with the deep ball.It's just 101, and the guys were able to play the game." They did the game and we did not do it. "
When you combine the defense holes with those of FSU that does not come home for a bag against the Bulldogs, it's a major cause for concern.
The Seminoles are tied for the 99th place in the nation in yards per overtime attempt (7.9) during the first two weeks of the season. They are 106th in passing over 15 yards (14) and 113th in passing more than seven yards.
It's a new defensive scheme and Hodges and McKnight have played a lot of games together, so some success for Samford was expected.
But the Power Five teams should not throw for 475 yards against FSU's defense.
The opponents of FCS should not even get closer.
Source link
