FSU football: 3 overreactions to ‘Noles loss against NC State

The Defense Not Stopping The Run

The bias against Adam Fuller is maddening. FSU football allowed 30.3 ppg through six games last year and only 20.8 ppg through six games this year.

They allow 3.97 yards per rush through six games, which includes two of the better dual-threat quarterbacks nationally.

They held NC State to three points and 4.43 yards per play in the first half. They played most of the game without both starting tackles, Robert Cooper and Fabien Lovett. Jared Verse isn’t 100 percent, and they’ve gotten into their depth across the defensive line.

Admittedly, the first drive NC State had in the second half is unacceptable, but they held their ground after that, including several drives that began near NC State’s 40-yard line and one in the red zone they forced into a 50+ yard field goal. They also forced a punt on a Jordan Travis interception that gave NC State the ball on the FSU 40-yard line.

NC State rushed for 182 yards on 46 carries (4.0 ypc) and didn’t allow a run over 19 yards. In fact, the game should have been over at halftime if the offense could capitalize in key situations in the first half.

Not to mention a team running the ball eats off the clock, and you’d think the FSU offense could put at least one drive together instead of going punt, punt, punt, punt, interception, and another interception in the second half.

FSU only got one first down in the second half before their final offensive possession. It’s hard to stop anyone when you’re on the field so much because of so many three-and-outs, plus injuries. Outside of that one drive, defense isn’t anywhere near the issue regarding why they lost the game.