Florida State football‘s (1-8, 1-7) defense has struggled physically against run-heavy teams or dual-threat quarterbacks this season.
On Saturday at Notre Dame, FSU will have to deal with two for the price of one at quarterback.
FSU is coming off a devastating loss to North Carolina, 35-11. The defense struggled to stop UNC’s running game led by Omarion Hampton, who had 172 rushing yards and five total touchdowns.
FSU coach Mike Norvell was disappointed in the lack of physicality against the Tar Heels.
“There were times in the game when I did not like the physicality we displayed,” Norvell said.
“I think there were some good moments. There were times when we were playing very physically but had maybe a lapse in judgment of whether it was a gap to fit or maybe trying to do too much that opened up a seam or an opportunity for our opponent.”
During Monday’s press conference, FSU’s defensive coordinator Adam Fuller was asked about preparing for eighth-ranked Notre Dame (7-1), led by their quarterback Riley Leonard.
Fuller also mentioned the familiarity of Fighting Irish‘s offensive coordinator and tight end coach, Mike Denbrock, and his role in developing the Duke transfer.
“They’re good enough on offense to be where they’re at this season,” Fuller said.
“They’ve relied on that quarterback. (I’m) familiar with the play caller they hired, coach Denbrock from LSU. So we’ve competed against him all the way back to when he was at Cincinnati.”
FSU saw Leonard was last season, when he played for Duke and was injured in the third quarter. He completed 7 of 16 passes for 69 yards the 38-20 defeat.
This season, after transferring to Notre Dame, Leonard has 1,360 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions.
However, what stands out this year from the senior quarterback is his 11 rushing touchdowns and 539 rushing yards. His 11 rushing TDs rank him fourth in the country.
“They have more rushing touchdowns than throwing touchdowns on a good team,” Fuller said. “That’s probably not a usual statistic, but that’s how they decided to play their offense this year.
More: FSU football’s Mike Norvell ‘shocked’ by struggles this season, promises changes
Mike Norvell gives injury update on linebacker Justin ‘Juice’ Cryer
Norvell gave a positive update on sophomore linebacker Justin ‘Juice’ Cryer after an injured scare last week against North Carolina.
Norvell confirmed that he is ruled out this week against Notre Dame but also said Cryer looked better than he feared.
Doak Campbell Stadium was silent when Cryer was down on the field late in the third quarter. He had an air cast on his right leg and was eventually carted off to the field.
“We’ll see what the extent of that is for the long-term,” Norvell said. “But definitely a scary situation, going out there and being with him.”
Cryer had four total tackles before he went down. He has 32 tackles and one interception in nine games played. While there is no timetable for his return, Norvell will continue to monitor the sophomore.
He also plans on monitoring starting center Maurice Smith and offensive tackle Robert Scott Jr., who were both inactive last weekend.
More: Two-Minute Drill for Nov. 4: Gators suffer significant loss; Dolphins fall on 61-yard FG
FSU football schedule 2024: TV channels, dates and start times
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Saturday, Aug. 24: vs. Georgia Tech* (Aer Lingus College Football Classic) Lost 24-21
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Monday, Sept. 2: vs. Boston College* | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo) Lost 28-13
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Saturday, Sept. 7: Bye
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Saturday, Sept. 14: vs. Memphis | Noon | ESPN (Fubo) Lost 20-12
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Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Cal* | 7 p.m.| ESPN2 (Fubo) Won 14-9
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Saturday, Sept. 28: at No. 15 SMU* | 8 p.m. EST | ACC Network Lost 42-16
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Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. No. 17 Clemson* | 7 p.m.| ESPN (Fubo) Lost 29-13
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Saturday, Oct. 12: Bye
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Friday, Oct. 18: at Duke* | 7 p.m. | ESPN2 (Fubo) Lost 23-16
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Saturday, Oct. 26: at No. 4 Miami* | 7 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo) Lost 36-14
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Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. North Carolina* | 3:30 p.m.| ESPN (Fubo) 35-11
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Saturday, Nov. 9: at No. 8 Notre Dame | 7:30 p.m. | NBC (Fubo, Peacock)
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Saturday, Nov. 16: Bye
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Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. Charleston Southern
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Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Florida
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Saturday, Dec. 6: ACC championship game (Charlotte, N.C)
All times Eastern
* = ACC
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Here’s what FSU football’s DC Adam Fuller said about preparing for Notre Dame
