Florida State DC Tony White Points to Own Play-Calling in Alabama Loss

Tony White says Florida State's second-half collapse against Alabama stemmed from his decisions, and the Seminoles now turn to Saturday's home game against Central Arkansas.

Florida State defensive coordinator Tony White accepted responsibility Monday for the Seminoles' defensive collapse in Saturday's 50-36 loss at Alabama. The Crimson Tide rolled up 567 yards and scored on nine straight possessions after Florida State had opened the game by stopping five consecutive third downs.

White said his own hesitation was the problem, arguing he should have kept calling the aggressive schemes that worked early. "It was me," White said. "I shouldn't have stayed aggressive, stayed attacking. The guys were on fire." He added that he abandoned defenses that had been effective after Alabama broke a big play.

The numbers through three games underscore the struggles. Florida State sits at 1-2, having allowed 1,471 total yards and 94 points, and ranks 117th nationally in pressure rate. The Seminoles forced four turnovers against SMU but produced none against Alabama.

White praised the effort of young defenders including linemen Kevin "JuJu" Wynn and Darryll Desir, and said the team addressed the loss together in a meeting. He also compared the Alabama collapse to last season's overtime defeat against Virginia, when the defense could not get a late stop.

Florida State hosts Central Arkansas on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Doak Campbell Stadium, with ACC play beginning the following week against Virginia.