Seminoles Pass Defense Must Stop Cavaliers QB Beau Pribula
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As the Florida State Seminoles (2-2, 0-1 in ACC) prepare to host the Virginia Cavaliers (3-1, 1-0 in ACC), defensive secondary coaches Blue Adams and Evan Cooper should be putting in overtime in the football offices and film room. They should be in a smoke-filled room strewn with coffee cups and food wrappers as they try to figure out how to stop Virginia quarterback Beau Pribula.
Coming into this game, Pribula has passed for 793 yards, 11 touchdowns, and only one interception. The Missouri/Penn State transfer has averaged 198.3 yards per game throwing the football. Pribula ranks fourth in the ACC in touchdown passes and third in the conference in completion percentage at 76.7. He has thrown six touchdown passes, and no interceptions, over the last two games.
The Seminoles have given up 290 yards per game through the air, and allowed eight touchdown passes, but have intercepted only three passes. If it were not for Quindarrius Jones, Nehemiah Chandler and Ashlynd Barker, Florida State would not have any interceptions this season. They each have one INT. Florida State has not recorded an interception since week 2 against SMU.
Opposing quarterbacks are completing 64.7 percent of their passes against the Seminoles. In addition, seven of the top eight tacklers for Florida State play in the second and third levels of the Seminoles defense, the linebackers and defensive backs.
These less-than-outstanding numbers have been the result of miscommunication, alignment and coverage issues, and poor tackling. They will have to be much better on Saturday against Pribula and the Cavaliers.
Last season, in a 46-38 loss at Virginia, Florida State intercepted three passes and allowed 229 yards and a 72.2 percent completion rate.
The Seminoles defensive backs do have momentum coming off the 34-7 win over Central Arkansas last Saturday. Against the Bears, Florida State’s secondary held the Central Arkansas passing attack to a 50 percent completion rate and no touchdowns.
However, it has been a while since Florida State had a feared defensive secondary under head coach Mike Norvell.In the 2023 season, before the loss to Georgia in the Orange Bowl, the Seminoles allowed just eight passing touchdowns, intercepted ten passes, and allowed a 48.3 percent completion rate.
Before that, you would have to go back to the 2017 season under Jimbo Fisher to find Florida State ranked among the top 30 in the FBS in pass defense. That season, the Seminoles were ranked No. 29 in pass defense, and allowed 195.5 yards per game and 15 passing touchdowns.
The Florida State secondary must show some development and improvement this week if they are to emerge victorious against Virginia. As a +1.5-point underdog on their own home field, the Seminoles should exit the tunnel at Doak Campbell Stadium fired up with the desire to win their first ACC game of the season.
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