FSU football defense deserves big praise for performance against Duke

FSU football hasn't had much to praise this season with a 1-6 start. The defense hasn't been perfect, but that unit continues to fight and give the FSU offense opportunities to win games. There is no finer example than its performance against Duke on Friday night.

The FSU defense forced three-and-outs on Duke's first FOUR possessions. Duke ran 13 plays for 24 yards, which is 1.84 yards per play. However, FSU trailed 7-3 because of a Duke interception that was run back for a touchdown.

The FSU offense turned the ball over two more times on consecutive plays. What I mean is that FSU ran three plays on three separate possessions, and all three resulted in turnovers. The second turnover gave Duke the ball on FSU's 36-yard line. The third turnover gave Duke the ball on the FSU 11-yard line. Duke only managed 10 points off those two turnovers.

Duke had 13 possessions and only scored on two drives that didn't start due to an FSU turnover. They scored field goals on those two, a 39-yard and 44-yarder. They only scored 16 total points in a game where FSU had FOUR turnovers.

Duke was 3 of 17 on third downs (17.6 percent) and only had 70 passing yards on 12 of 24 attempts. Duke averaged 3.1 yards per rush and only had 180 total yards, averaging 3.05 yards per play.

All these numbers were far below what Duke had been averaging going into the game. There isn't much to praise about this FSU team. However, it amazes me that these defensive players remain locked in trying to give the inept FSU offense chances to win games. Kudos to them.