While the Nebraska football team is still basking in the afterglow of a narrow win over the Cincinnati Bearcats, one former Husker staff member also likely has a massive smile on his face this morning. Ex-Cornhuskers and new Florida State defensive coordinator Tony White picked up where he left off in Tallahassee on Saturday afternoon when his unit shut down the Alabama Crimson Tide and allowed FSU to pull off a massive upset over the SEC power.
White joined the ACC school after it cleaned the coaching staff house following a 2-10 campaign in the 2024 season. Some Husker fans were quite shocked that White chose to join what seemed like a sinking ship. However, after their Week 1 win, it looks like Mike Norvell's squad is back on the way up.
In the wake of White's (who took defensive line coach Terrance Knighton with him from Nebraska) first win, the defensive coordinator clearly impressed quite a few onlookers on social media. Twitter especially was flush with analysts and fans who might not have realized just how good he really was in his two seaons with the Huskers.
Former Nebraska football coach Tony White gets massive praise in Florida State win
One thing that several analysts and members of the media noticed is that FSU's defense was flying around the field. That was also a hallmark for White at Nebraska.
Florida State's defense looks so much faster than a year ago.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) August 30, 2025
Former Husker Adam Carriker was one of those who noticed the immediate improvement of the Seminoles' defense with White and Knighton manning the defense.
I’m glad Florida State is good again. College Football is better when teams like Florida State are good.
— Adam Carriker (@AdamCarriker94) August 30, 2025
Tony White has transformed that defense from what they were a year ago.
Congrats to Terrance Knighton, Evan Cooper, Stefon Thompson & James Williams on a great win.
Plenty of national analysts saw a Florida State the looked totally different from 2024
FSU up 31-17 and is set to win with just 2 minutes left. Now more than ever, college football is a year-to-year business. No better example than FSU from 2023 to 2024 to today. Credit Mike Norvell for bringing in OC Gus Malzahn and DC Tony White -- FSU looks totally different.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 30, 2025
Meanwhile, the Nebraska football team suffered through some growing pains on Thursday night. While they held Cincinnati to 17 points, they struggled to stop the run at times.
On the other hand, John Butler's secondary held the Bearcats to less than 100 yards passing. Who got the better end of this deal won't be known for a few years, most likely.