FSU football: Projecting 2021 defensive improvements under Adam Fuller

Marshall 2017 (Before Fuller was DC)

Adam Fuller was on the Marshall staff in 2017 before he became the defensive coordinator in 2018., with Riley Ferguson returning for his senior year in 2017. They had similar continuity at running back, wide receiver, and tight end, which helped their offense take a leap in production in year two.

Here’s how the two years stack up in these key areas:

2017 Marshall (Before Fuller as DC) (13 games)

• Points per game allowed: 19.9
• Yards per Play allowed: 4.95
• Rushing yards per attempt allowed: 3.39
• Third down conversions allowed: 35.98 percent
• Red zone TD allowed: 51.22 percent

2018 Marshall (With Fuller as DC) (13 games)

• Points per game allowed: 21.8
• Yards per Play allowed: 4.82
• Rushing yards per attempt allowed: 2.95
• Third down conversions allowed: 31.66 percent (10 more third-down opportunities)
• Red zone TD allowed: 51.06 percent

2018 Memphis (Before Fuller as DC) (14 games)

• Points per game allowed: 31.9
• Yards per Play allowed: 5.61
• Rushing yards per attempt allowed: 4.09
• Third down conversions allowed: 39.64 percent
• Red zone TD allowed: 74.07 percent

2019 Memphis (With Fuller as DC) (14 games)

• Points per game allowed: 26.4
• Yards per Play allowed: 5.37
• Rushing yards per attempt allowed: 4.48
• Third down conversions allowed: 39.52 percent (12 fewer third-down opportunities)
• Red zone TD allowed: 60 percent

There are decent improvements as a whole. Let’s take a look at what FSU football brought to the table in a COVID-affected first year.