FSU football: Top 5 substantial defensive improvements in 2021

By Kelvin Hunt | Dec 2, 2021

Sep 18, 2021; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Akeem Dent Sr. (27) listens to defensive coordinator Adam Fuller (left) as he talks with the defensive unit during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Truist Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

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Red Zone Defense

It’s ideal to get off the field before opposing offenses get in the red zone, but the ability to turn teams away or force field goals is something that can help win a lot of games.

FSU ranked No. 59 nationally (83.33 percent) in the red zone scoring percentage (35 of 42 with 28 touchdowns and seven field goals allowed in 2020. They allowed touchdowns (66.67 percent) which ranked No. 89 nationally.

The Noles saw a huge improvement in this category in 2021. FSU ranked improved to No. 6 nationally (70.59 percent) in the red zone scoring percentage allowed (24 of 34 with 21 touchdowns and three field goals allowed).

They allowed touchdowns 61.76 percent, which ranked 87 nationally. So not only did the FSU defense allow fewer red zone attempts in three more games, but they also allowed fewer touchdowns overall.

They allowed NO score 10 times in the red zone compared to only seven times in 2020. This improvement came about with fewer than four NFL-caliber players on that side of the ball(if they declared for the 2022 draft).

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