Seminoles Secondary Gets Humbled by Former FCS Quarterback

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The great Elton John wrote that “Saturday night’s alright for fighting.”

That was certainly the case at Doak Campbell Stadium as a scrappy New Mexico State Aggies team gave the home-standing Florida State Seminoles all they could handle, holding them to three points in the first quarter and a slim 17-7 lead at halftime. However, they faded late in the game and succumbed in a 34-17 loss. 

In their first game of this season, there was some good and bad in the Seminoles' performance. One glaring issue stood out: Coverage, or the lack thereof, in the Seminoles' defensive secondary. Coach Mike Norvell touched on that issue at his post-game press conference.

“Obviously the two coverage on the touchdowns. I mean, that can't happen,” said Norvell. “We've got to be better in communication, obviously execution on that, being able to go do the job of what we need to do in that moment. And then there were some things that we're going to have to get better at where we got beat. Whether it was being a little bit too soft in our coverage. You see the potential that is there, right? Obviously, we had some mistakes tonight when you give up what we gave up on third down, I mean, that has to get corrected.”

Aggies quarterback Trey Hedden picked apart the Florida State pass defense for 272 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and completed 62 percent of his passes (26-of-42). The miscommunication of the Seminoles’ defensive backs resulted in busted coverages that gave up five passes of 10 yards or more, including two big yardage pass plays for 33 yards and 34 yards. 

This is a unit that last season ranked in the top 30 of the FBS in pass defense. They allowed 190 yards per game through the air, intercepted 12 passes, and returned two starters this season. They did bring in talented transfers to fill some spots. Obviously, the chemistry and unit integrity are not there yet. 

New Mexico State receiver Brodie Malone-Bradford led his team with six catches for 96 yards and a diving touchdown grab. Malone-Bradford got behind the Seminoles' secondary after juking cornerback and Bednarik Award watch list member Ja’bril Rawls right out of his cleats. Rawls bit on a fake out-route and Hedden threw the ball where only Malone-Bradford could make a play on the ball, a leaping catch in the end zone for six. 

Hedden played last season at FCS-member Furman. As the starter with the Paladins, Hedden completed 68 percent of his passes for 2,967 yards, 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Entering the Florida State game, Hedden’s career completion percentage was a solid 66 percent. At Furman, Hedden posted seven games with a completion percentage of 70 percent or better.

The Seminoles' defensive secondary better get these issues cleaned up quickly as their next opponent, the SMU Mustangs on Labor Day, knows a thing or two about utilizing the forward pass in a prolific manner. 

Under head coach Rhett Lashlee, SMU ranked No. 13 in the FBS (and No. 2 in the ACC) in passing offense and averaged 283 yards per game last season. Third-year starter Kevin Jennings is back for another season at quarterback after throwing for 3,641 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He completed 66 percent of his passes (300 completions in 454 attempts). Jennings also added four rushing touchdowns.

The Mustangs also return the diminutive Yamir Knight (5-foot-8), who is their leading returning receiver. Last season, he caught 54 passes for 637 yards and five touchdowns.

So, you better believe the Florida State secondary will be tested early and often. This is where the loud and proud war chant as a force multiplier, making it hard for Jennings to yell out his signals, will come in handy for the home team. Communication in pass coverage assignments would help as well.

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