FSU’s defense steps up to make difference in much-needed win: Two things to like, two things to fix

Patrick Payton and Josh Farmer sat down at the podium after Saturday night’s defensive slugfest against Cal, explaining how the defense pulled off a 360 in two games.

“Run to the ball,” Payton believed, became the difference for his unit.

“We simplified the gameplan, and Coach Adam Fuller said, ‘D-line go hunt.’ Farmer said about the group’s improvement.

Florida State did nothing fancy to keep the Golden Bears out of the end zone. The defense played with the energy and purpose it lacked for the season's first three games. The play-making ability of their stars permeated throughout the unit, leading to 12 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and one interception, which kept Cal out of rhythm and…