FSU Football: Looking at how Tribe20 performed against Miami

Defense

The defense was somehow, someway, more disappointing than the offense. This defense is a unit that was supposed to be good, if not close to great. Instead, Miami punted for the first time in the fourth quarter and put up 52 points. Not great.

Just like with the offense, there’s always hope in youth. Even if they were out of position, the newcomers on defense at least didn’t quit. Results ultimately matter the most, but effort and intensity, especially in a rebuilding program, matter a whole lot too. Despite the loss, we did see that with the newcomers (for the most part).

LB Stephen Dix (FR)

Dix did not start, but he got just as many reps at linebacker as all of the starters. He finished the game fourth on the team in tackles with 6, including one of which went for a loss. Now there’s no sugarcoating it; none of the linebackers, aside from Amari Gainer, played well, including Dix. He was slow and filled the wrong gap several times, which allowed Miami to run all over the defense.

However, out of all the linebackers, Dix is the only one with an excuse. Emmett Rice and Leonard Warner are upper-classmen; they have no excuse not to drop to the proper depth in Cover 2, or not to fill the proper gap. Even with almost no help from the defensive line, they should at least know where to go. This was Dix’s second-ever game, he’ll get better.

There were a lot of positives to take away, not just negatives. Dix projects as an impact player in the future, but the growing pains are needed first. Take this play early on in the game.

Dix does a great job of breaking down, and getting off a block. Gainer sets the edge, and Dix cleans it up. He got burned a few times by King and Cam’ron Harris during the game, but not every time. Plays like this should give ‘Noles fans hope for the future.

DE Josh Griffis (FR)

Griffis got his first collegiate start against the Canes in place of the injured Joshua Kaindoh. Like most of the defense, he did not play very well. In the scheme the Noles came out with, it would be hard for Griffis to put up big stats, and by the way, he played, it’s unlikely that would’ve happened anyways. He recorded one tackle that went for a loss.

It is unlikely Griffis will be a superstar at FSU. But, he could become a quality starter during his time in Tallahassee. Jarrid Williams and Brevin Jordan ate his lunch on the edge, but those are two upperclassmen – it’s not surprising. Griffis lacks explosive get off, but he does have a high motor. It was not a great game for “Big Country,” but there were positives.

He was able to at least bring it to a stalemate against Williams by the end of the 3rd and did set the edge decently well during the second half. Expect him to get more reps as the year goes on.

CB Jarrian Jones (Soph)

The transfer from Mississippi State once again got the start as the third corner, and he did not have a great game. Jones had one tackle and one pass defended. He was targeted several times by the Miami offense, getting burned a few times in man coverage. Jones has to improve if he wants to keep his starting job.

DT Fabian Lovett (RS Soph)

The other transfer from MSU saw a lot of playing time behind Robert Cooper and recorded no tackles. Lovett is still finding his fit in the defensive scheme and hopefully will make a bigger impact in the weeks to come.

Bottom Line

The defense as very bad. While the freshman and transfers showed some promise, it is going to take much better play from the unit as a whole to win more than four games this year.