The changes that occurred within the Florida State football program in the offseason were well- documented, but Saturday marked the first snap of the new season and a new era at Florida State.
Also well-documented were the defense’s struggles last season. It seemed that almost every game there was a new challenge or struggle for a defense that certainly wasn’t lacking in talent, but had trouble executing on Saturdays.
Blame it on what you will, but it was a frustrating year for a proud unit last season.
Such was not the case on Saturday against Samford. A level of execution and efficiency that echoed the Seminole defenses of old was evident throughout the contest, and while the initial inclination might be to say, “It’s just Samford. We’ll see how things go in Norman next week,” nothing is outside the realm of possibility in the college game, and Saturday was an important test.
Fisher was eager to see the defense under new coordinator Mark Stoops and was pleased with what he saw.
“The consistency level—they had to earn yards, they played great red zone defense,” Fisher said. “They played with some toughness and some pride.”
The Seminoles certainly performed consistently on Saturday.
The Bulldogs were able to convert on third down just six times, and it didn’t seem to matter who was on the field for the ’Noles.
Younger, less experienced players were substituted on a regular basis, yet the passion and execution didn’t change.
“We all fly around to the ball—everybody trusts each other,” sophomore defensive end Brandon Jenkins said. “We’ve got pride, we’ve been pushing, wanting to finish. We’re out there to finish.”
And finish they did. With the fourth quarter drawing to a close and the ’Noles up by 53 points, the Bulldogs were threatening to score their first touchdown of the game. With most of the starters on the sideline, a young unit that included true freshman Lamarcus Joyner made an impressive stand, stuffing the Bulldogs on four attempts inside the five-yard line
Credit Coach Stoops, credit the new zone scheme, credit perhaps a weaker opponent, but there was one common theme on Saturday: pride. Following the regrettable 2009 campaign, the defense, and especially the returning members, are eager to prove themselves this year.
“Of course we’re running a totally different scheme,” senior linebacker Kendall Smith said. “It gives us more opportunity to make plays.”
The next roadblock in the Seminoles’ goal to be one of the premier defenses in the nation will be against Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., next week. The Seminoles will face an offense that struggled this past week against Utah State, a defense that finished 113 in total team defense in 2009. Stoops will also be opposite his brother, Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops when the teams take to the field Saturday.
While it’s difficult to trust one game as an accurate barometer of a team’s performance for the rest of the year, it is certainly an encouraging sign.
If it’s any indication of things to come, Seminole fans have a lot to look forward to this season.