Q & A: Mickey Andrews

Defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews entered the season opener with a crew full of young or inexperienced players. And there were injuries on the defensive line.

But Andrews' group played like veterans in FSU's 13-10 over Miami on Monday night. FSU head Miami to 134 total yards of offense, including just two yards rushing. Miami went 3-and-out on 8 of its 12 drives. The Hurricanes were held to nine first downs - just one in the second half, where they also had just 17 yards' offense.

Not surprisingly, Andrews gave his defense high marks in an interview today.

What was your assessment of the defense?

Andrews: I got a little worried in the early part of the game. So many (players) were used on special teams. They got a little bit tired in the second quarter and then they got a second wind and finished strong like we expect a team to do.

The two drives they got points on, they had (four) third-downs and we stopped them once. We've got to a little better job of that but for a first game, the unity and people doing their job, for the the most part they got high marks. The main thing is that our kids played so hard.

You had talked about going into the game with a lot of unknowns because Miami had a new offensive coaching staff.

Andrews: We had to prepare for many things. We had some surprises. We broke down a few times. But we had some guys playing beyond their experience. We broke down a few times.

The front seven came up big.

Andrews: That's where it starts. If you can control the line of scrimmage, that was one of our objectives going into the game and for the most part they were able to do that. They really played like a veteran group for the most part.


You talked during the preseason about the importance of not giving up a big play.

Andrews: That was the thing that hurt us so much last year - giving up the big play. The big key was get them on the ground. Don't let them do something after the catch. If they catch a four-yard pass, get them on the ground. They had a shallow cross that breaks for 12 yards. We gave up one play of 27 yards. It was an unbelievable catch by the receiver. It was low and outside and at the last second he sees it. I don't know how he caught it but he did. We had only three sacks but we had a lot of pressure, whether it was 3-4 or blitzing. That part was good. We dropped about three intercepts. They would have been great plays, no doubt about that. But we have to get turnovers. We have to create better field position for our offense.


What about allowing just two yards rushing?

Andrews: It's something you dream about or hope for. But would you have thought you could hold Miami to two yards rushing? No. I never saw a game of three yards (combined) rushing.

What do you take away from the Miami game?

Andrews: It was a team victory, no doubt about that. The thing we can see is we can get better. We got a great start with a win against Miami, but we have to make more progress to reach the top. Everybody talked about what a great defense Miami has, and they do. The thing that Coach (Bobby) Bowden challenged them before the game was this - are you going to be the second-best defense on the field tonight?

You don't have much time in between games with Troy on Saturday.

Andrews: We had to let them recover. We have four or five freshmen that will make major contributions. They all played on special teams but we have to get them plugged in there (on defense).