RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The FSU Seminoles have to improve their run defense in 2026 if they want to have a successful season. While it was good at times, they were unable to stop the run consistently, and it cost them down the stretch, especially in the final game of the regular season.
Jadan Baugh and the Florida Gators had a historic day against the Seminoles, rushing for 272 yards in a 40-21 blowout that ended the season and knocked FSU out of a bowl game. Baugh's 266 yards were the second-most in Florida history as he averaged 7.0 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns.
While it was on the entire defense, FSU struggled to set the edge in the ground game last season, and new edge coach Nick Williams is working to address the issue. He admitted on Tuesday that it is still a work in progress.
"Just being consistent, that's it," he said. "We'll do it really good and then not so good the next time. So that's what I'm just trying to instill in their brains: do it right. Eyes, alignment, stance, hand placement. A lot of times, as young people, they want to put the cart before the horse.
"So you've got to slow them down. Start with stance. Start with eyes. Block recognition is important. So just consistency has been tough. So we'll get there."
He did acknowledge that the entire group is bought in on improving and will often correct mistakes before he can, something he appreciates.
"They can coach each other," he explained. "They're hard on each other. A lot of times as a player, before I can get to a guy, they're already getting coached up by one of their teammates. If there's an issue with a guy being late, they're already getting coached up.
"It's refreshing as a coach to know that everyone's bought in. Everyone in that room is bought in to what we're doing."
The Seminoles have just over two weeks to work on their consistency with the season-opener against the New Mexico State Aggies on Aug. 29 approaching. While they were the worst rushing team in the country last season, they will have a tougher test the following week when they play the SMU Mustangs.
This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU's edges are struggling to consistently stop the run
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