FSU football: Why has ‘Noles defense been dominant since bye week?

The Syracuse offense has put up some respectable numbers earlier in the year, but I was never impressed with them since it centered around three players. Garrett Shrader played, so there was no excuse about the Orange not having all of their guys.

FSU held Syracuse to 1 of 11 on third down (9 percent). Here’s the down and distance for each:

• 3rd and 4 (run for one yard)
• 3rd and 10 (sack)
• 3rd and 4 (incomplete pass)
• 3rd and 10 (facemask penalty and pass complete)
• 3rd and 11 (run for four yards)
• 3rd and 16 (sack)
• 3rd and 8 (pass complete for six yards)
• 3rd and 16 (offensive holding, penalty declined)
• 3rd and 10 (incomplete pass)
• 3rd and 6 (pass complete for four yards)
• 3rd and 9 (incomplete pass)

That’s 73 percent of Syracuse’s third down plays at seven yards or more. FSU special teams did another outstanding job pinning the Orange deep in their territory as well.

Overall

FSU forced 37 third down plays and 25 (68 percent) were at least 7 yards or more to make a first down. The FSU secondary has done an excellent job defending, forcing quarterbacks to take sacks, make inaccurate throws, or take off scrambling to get tackled before the first down marker.

However, the key to it all is winning on first and second downs to force third and long situations. That’s where a healthy Fabien Lovett and Jared Verse have been difference-makers.