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'We got to fix it' FSU football's Adam Fuller wants defensive improvement vs. Boston College

liam rooney, tallahassee democrat
·5 min read

Florida State football defensive coordinator Adam Fuller knows the Seminoles defense needs to improve after a week-zero loss to Georgia Tech.

"Nobody wanted to start the season out this way," Fuller said. "But things have gone the other way. The next week is coming and we have some things we have to own and wear. We have a heightened awareness that there is a reason we weren't our best right now."

"We got to address it, we got fix it, we got to get better from it. We got to go out there and execute and play our best football on Monday."

Fuller and FSU head coach Mike Norvell took responsibility for the 24-21 upset loss to the Yellow Jackets with both coaches prepared to make defensive adjustments before kickoff against Boston College.

The Seminoles host the Eagles on Monday, Sep. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Doak Campbell Stadium for the first home game of the season.

One of the areas Fuller wants an improvement in is the run defense, especially with wrapping up tackles as the Seminoles face another dynamic quarterback in Thomas Castellanos and a strong running back room featuring Kye Robichaux and former FSU player Treshaun Ward.

The Seminoles allowed 190 rushing yards on 36 carries, with the Yellow Jackets scoring all three touchdowns on the ground. Fuller said there was some hesitation from his defense as they might have been afraid to make a mistake, which allowed Georgia Tech to get through contact or blow by the defense for big plays.

"In today's age of football with the amount of space put on, you better make sure you are the aggressor in tackling," Fuller said. "You better be coming and taking all the grass, better be tracking with really good angles and you better be chasing inside out."

"We can't go out there and give up yards that shouldn't be given up. There are plays to be made and those are the things we have to count on. Good defenses make all those one-on-ones, we've got to do a better job."

In last season's 31-29 victory against Boston College, Castellanos was constantly providing a threat to the Seminole's defense by moving around in the pocket and breaking pressure to create some big gains. Robichaux ran the ball 21 times, recording 64 yards and a touchdown.

He finished the game 20-of-33 for 302 passing yards with one touchdown and interception while adding 95 yards rushing alongside a touchdown.

Fuller said there needs to be a change in gameplan to help contain the threat that Castellanos and the Boston College offense bring. The Eagles come into the game with a new coaching staff with Bill O'Brien leading the team, and Fuller said that forces the coaching staff to prepare for anything when looking at the offense.

Struggles with the edge, Linebacker play was "not ideal."

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
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

Fuller said the defense wasn't setting the edge strong enough against Georgia Tech, as he felt there were too many "soft edges." That allowed the Yellow Jackets duo of Haynes King and Jamal Haynes to exploit gaps in the defense and post a combined 129 rushing yards and two touchdowns against the Seminoles.

"I just thought we were soft in the edges," Fuller said. "We want to eliminate space, and the quickest way to eliminate space is to draw a hard edge so there is a lack of space. The sooner you draw the edge, the more limited amount of space you have to play, which is an advantage for the defense."

Fuller identified Sione Lolohea as one player who was setting his edge well, and he said the Oregon State transfer will see more of the field this week because of it. Conrad Hussey is another player who will receive more reps as he was listed as a starter in the depth chart.

Heading into the Boston College game, adjustments will need to be made for the Seminoles linebackers, with Fuller giving a blunt assessment of the unit's performance against Georgia Tech.

"Not ideal," Fuller said on the linebacker performance. "It's something that we have to continue to look at."

DJ Lundy and Cam Riley combined for 14 tackles, with seven each, but Omar Graham didn't record a stat in 35 snaps played and Black Nichelson saw limited action with 17 snaps and two tackles recorded. Fuller said there were some limitations on his group Saturday which provided a challenge.

You try and get your best guys on the field and sometimes your best guys are more limited than others so you are constantly working through that," Fuller said. "Looking back at that game I'd probably do it a little bit different."

How to watch FSU football vs. Boston College

  • Date: Monday, Sept. 2

  • Time: 7:30 p.m.

  • Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida

  • TV: ESPN

  • Streaming: ESPN+ ($10.99 per month), WatchESPN and the ESPN app (TV provider subscription needed), fuboTV (7-day free trial), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial)

FSU football 2024 schedule

All times Eastern

Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State football Boston College Adam Fuller defense improvement