Hear from Florida State coordinators Alex Atkins, Adam Fuller and John Papuchis before Florida
On Tuesday, the Florida State football team completed its final practice/interview availability of the week with the media before facing Florida on Friday.
The Associated Press No. 16 Seminoles (7-3) will host the Gators (6-5) in Doak Campbell Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on ABC.
Offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins, defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and special teams coordinator/defensive ends coach John Papuchis were among FSU's coaches who addressed the media this week.
Below are some of the best quotes from the Seminole coordinators.
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Alex Atkins
On what has clicked for the offense in the last month
“I think we are really starting to settle in and understand the scheme, the continuity. So they are understanding their mistakes. But we’ve also had some things show that we’ve got to get corrected. Some minor things that we have to make sure are on point. I like overall the continuity, the playing for each other.”
On the offensive line's growth with run blocking
“We have seen it all, and that had to come. We had to see every front, every shift, every motion. All of it. And I think with us having all the same guys out there, building, we don’t have the same catastrophic missed assignments. We still have some little details, leverage things we need to clean up. But we haven’t had the catastrophic breakdowns. ... You do not learn the stove is hot until you put your hand on it, and we had to get burnt a couple of times.”
On breaking the rock with a sledgehammer last week
“I’m surprised how heavy it was, because that was my first time picking it up. When I kind of picked it up at first I played it off, but I didn’t know if I was going to be able to get that thing above my head. But eyes were on me, so I had to show up.”
On coach Mike Norvell’s teams hitting their stride in November
“That is him. He breeds the message. He breeds the culture. He makes sure we understand what the expectations are here each and every day. So his mentality bleeds into the team, and it’s a reflection of him. Because he bleeds consistency and things like that. So as a team goes, continuity consistently starts to build because he makes sure every day is independent.”
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Adam Fuller
On the last four games from the defense
"Consistency. Practice. Preparation. Guys being unselfish. Guys practicing punt team and chasing the ball down 40 yards. Guys being on time and early. Just working together. Success looks a certain way – and it’s not really complicated – but it’s really hard to attain. And I’m not saying we are where we want to be. But I’m saying we are taking the steps to get there."
On if FSU's starting defense is noticeably fresh after playing minimally in the last four games
"We are still practicing the same amount. We are still pushing them on the practice field. They are still lifting. They are squatting on Sundays. Some of the totals have gone down for sure over the last month. But we try to make sure with what we do with our GPS numbers, with what we do with our training that we keep them at a certain place just from a workload. I do not think it hurts. I think it has helped to be able to get some other guys in the game. But I think the total play number obviously has been affected."
On how FSU has matched its 2021 sack total (33) in one fewer game this season despite losing defensive ends Jermaine Johnson II and Keir Thomas
"Just playing complete defense probably. (Defensive end) Jared (Verse) has brought some one-on-one wins to us, for sure. I think we probably had a few more linebacker sacks. I think our safeties have been a little bit more involved in the rush game. I think our coverage has been tighter, better and more connected. Those all go into it. … I think our guys have done a solid job. I would like to get a bunch of them Friday night."
On what he has seen from Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson
"He is capable of throwing the ball 75 yards in the air. He’s got as strong an arm as anyone in the country. When you see the ball come out, he looks like a Major League third baseman. It’s effortless. The ball just pops off his wrist. He breaks tackles back there, keeps plays alive – which is dangerous because he can reach 70 yards. If guys are scrambling around back there and the routes keep going down the field, you better stay connected. Because he can get it there. That LSU run, he could have run for 200 yards on that play. I think he’s playing at a high level."
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John Papuchis
On the challenges Florida brings special teams-wise
“They are obviously a very athletic group. They have speed all over the field when you are talking about their cover units or their return game. So it’s going to be a test for us, but I think our guys have embraced those challenges the last couple weeks. We will prepare this week, and I think they are going to be eager to play Friday night.”
On what makes Anthony Richardson different from the other running QBs they have faced
“I think just the sheer nature of his size. That is a different thing. You’ve got to be physical at the point of attack. He has the physicality and size to break tackles. We need to bring it. We need to bring our pads like we are tackling a tailback or anybody else who is in a skill position that is a bigger player. You see him make a lot of plays after contact. And we’ve got to do a great job of not only not allowing the scramble to start, but then when we have an opportunity to make a play on him, make the play.”
On Jammie Robinson stepping in as a punt returner against Louisiana
"The thing with Jammie is, he's obviously supremely confident as a player. He did not have any game reps (at punt returner) with us. Your stomach turns a little bit when you know you have to make a change there, as good as Mycah (Pittman) has been. I just look at Jammie – he's got as much confidence and swagger about who he is and how he's going to do it – I really had no doubt he was going to go in there and do a nice job. For him to hit the first one – he kind of attacked the ball and caught it – I was like, 'OK, he's ready to go.' I thought he was going to pop that one out, the first return he had. He did a good job. It's good to have a couple guys back there you are confident in."
GAME INFORMATION
Who: FSU vs. Florida
When/Where: Friday, 7:30 p.m., Doak Campbell Stadium
TV/Radio: ABC/94.9 FM
Reach Carter Karels at ckarels@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @CarterKarels. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football: Seminoles' Alex Atkins, Adam Fuller talk about Florida Gators
