The Florida State-SMU box score says plenty about how the Seminoles played on defense: SMU had 430 passing yards, including 50-yard and 79-yard touchdown passes, and 155 rushing yards. The Mustangs also converted 8 of 14 third-down opportunities.
FSU defensive coordinator Tony White looks at the game differently, especially following a subsequent film review of SMU’s 27-24 win.
“There were 69 plays in there. The men went out there and they played their tails off — physical, effort,” White said Wednesday. “… For about 60 plays in there, they balled. And there’s nine plays that you want back — 10 points, probably 250 yards.”
SMU had 11 chunk plays among its 67 plays on the official box score on Monday night. Eight passes went for a combined 304 yards: 19, 50, 30, 15, 64, 18, 79 and 29. Three rushes went for 60 yards: 14, 23 and 23.
The eight pass plays hit for 304 yards and the three rushes for another 60 yards. White referenced nine plays, but the reality is the 11 plays went for 364 yards or about 62.2 percent of SMU’s 585 total offensive yards.
FSU’s defense forced three turnovers (a fumble and two interceptions). But SMU was able to piece together four lengthy drives that resulted in points.
Kevin Jennings set a career-high with 430 passing yards, completing 26 of 36 passes. Wide receiver Yannick Smith had five catches for 107 yards and tight end Randy Pittman had five catches for 75 yards (Pittman played at FSU in 2025).
“They had good players, Heisman (contender at) quarterback,” White said. “So they’re going to make a play here or there. But there are about nine plays in there that those plays should not go for.”
White is usually animated. He at times pointed the finger at himself for a coaching decision but often defended players who showed good effort during the game but were beaten on specific plays. One such player he backed up was cornerback Quindarrius Jones: “That dude is out there balling … He gave up a play,” White said.
He also described a few of the breakdowns from Monday:
On Jennings’ 50-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Cooper, which was a clear busted coverage, White said it was a zone. “We don’t communicate. There’s one guy not playing the call. Seven points and 50 yards in one play that they didn't earn. You can’t do that.”
On Jennings’ 79-yard touchdown to Smith, White said the defensive backs need to be aware of the first-down marker and have “toes on the sticks.” He indicated FSU’s staff should be helping remind the defensive backs of where they’re supposed to be. “There's people's jobs that are supposed to say where the sticks are, where the downed distances are, and we're a little too deep,” White said. “And we don't use our technique, and we don't get the ball on the ground (a tackle).”
On third downs, White said the FSU defensive staff felt good about the preparation after New Mexico State converted 10 of 17 third-down chances in the opener. SMU converted 8 of 14. “I liked our plan a lot better,” White said of the preparation for the Mustangs. “It’s just the execution part.”
White appeared encouraged by how a number of Seminoles performed. He praised Mikai Gbayor, who stepped in for an injured Blake Nichelson. Gbayor had three tackles. Second-year defensive backs Max Redmon and Antonio Cromartie Jr. were “on scout team,” White said, in practices and filled in for an injury-depleted group (FSU didn’t have safety K.J. Kirkland, for example).
Overall, he said the defense likes “being physical” and “they don’t take no crap.” White thinks FSU’s defense can be among the nation’s best, although that’s a stunning statement considering the pass rush issues, coverage breakdowns and third-down deficiencies.
“You show how when all 11 guys are playing as one, and we play with that spirit, that effort, that attitude, that toughness,” White said. “We're gonna be one of the best defenses in the country. But until then, until we finish the game out that way, we're not going to do it. Just go to point that out and get it corrected.”
The Seminoles (1-1, 0-1 ACC) have time to do just that, taking the field for practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Next up is a showdown at No. 12 Alabama on Sept. 19.
FSU goes into the bye week at 127th in the FBS in passing defense (351 yards per game) and 61st in rushing defense (101 yards). The Seminoles are 90th in scoring defense (22 points per game).
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