The stats for the Florida State defense say they rank among the best in several statistical categories. They are No. 12 in scoring defense, No. 25 in third down conversions allowed, No. 15 in rushing defense, No. 9 in completion percentage, and No. 28 in passing defense.
However, they haven’t faced a team with an experienced quarterback in the first three and that will change on Friday night against the Virginia Cavaliers. There have been several missed plays by opposing offenses because their quarterback missed a throw or what inaccurate. Some of that has been because they were under pressure, but others have been bad quarterback play.
Related Story: FSU Defensive End Takes Shots At Former Team
UVA quarterback Chandler Morris has been in college since 2020 and has attempted nearly 1,000 pass attempts. He has a career 64 percent completion percentage, with 55 touchdowns and only 18 interceptions. He can also use his legs enough to hurt you in the run game or extend plays.
FSU defensive coordinator Tony White acknowledges that Chandler Morris and the UVA offense have been among the best nationally through four games. They average 44.7 points per game and 6.92 yards per play. They average 6.3 yards per rush and 8.8 yards per attempt through the air. Morris has yet to get sacked this season, so White knows this UVA offense will be a challenge Friday night:
The good news is the players understand they have to play better, which reinforces the high standard they have for themselves. It’ll be the first road test of the young season for the Noles. However, defense travels, and Virginia hasn’t seen a defense as talented as FSU.
Virginia lost against the best defense they faced in NC State, and that defense isn’t anywhere as close to FSU. UVA’s defense is suspect, also. If the FSU defense tightens up and gets enough stops, they should have no problem taking care of business. However, Tony White knows they will have to lock in and clean up the small mistakes that they have been getting away with over the past few weeks.