Tag: Florida State Seminoles

Oct 5, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Antonio Williams (0) scores a touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

15 Clemson handles Florida State again

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cade Klubnik threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns and Phil Mafah ran for 154 yards on 25 carries to lead Clemson to a 29-13 victory over host Florida State on Saturday night in Tallahassee, Fla.

The No. 15-ranked Tigers (4-1, 3-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference) defeated the Seminoles (1-5, 1-4 ACC) for the eighth time in the past nine meetings and fourth consecutive time at Florida State.

The score did not match how lopsided the game was in terms of yardage as Clemson doubled the Seminoles’ output of total yardage 500-250.

Florida State quarterback Brock Glenn made his first start of the season in relief of injured starter DJ Uiagalelei. Glenn completed 23 of 41 passes for 228 yards and threw two touchdown passes and an interception.

But Glenn didn’t sustain much offensive rhythm and the Seminoles’ offense failed to take advantage of numerous opportunities with multiple dropped passes.

Clemson jumped all over Florida State in the first quarter, scoring the game’s first 17 points thanks to big plays from Klubnik, who replaced Uiagalelei as the Tigers’ starter when the latter was still enrolled at Clemson.

One of those big chunk plays for Clemson came when Klubnik found Antonio Williams for a 57-yard touchdown with 3:20 left in the first. He later Klubnik with T.J. Moore for a 23-yard touchdown pass with two seconds left in the opening quarter.

The Tigers also made sure to keep Florida State’s offense one-dimensional as it completely contained the Seminoles’ running game and held them to only 22 yards on the ground.

It was the complete opposite story for Clemson as Mafah led a rushing attack that amassed 265 yards on the ground.

Klubnik completed 19 of 33 passes and also ran for 62 yards on 11 carries.

Glenn cut the Seminoles’ deficit to 23-13 with 9:36 left in the fourth with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Khi Douglas. But on the ensuing drive, Mafah broke loose for a 59-yard run, which set up a Nolan Hauser 31-yard field goal. Hauser made five field goals but had two others blocked.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) runs for a touchdown against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-Imagn Images

QB matchup key as No. 15 Clemson faces Florida State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

When No. 15 Clemson heads to Tallahassee, Fla., on Saturday night to take on Florida State in an Atlantic Coast Conference game, the quarterback storyline many expected reportedly won’t come to fruition.

It was supposed to be a matchup between ex-Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, now the starter at Florida State, and Cade Klubnik, the quarterback who replaced him in the 2022 ACC Championship Game.

But Florida State (1-4, 1-3) expects to have sophomore Brock Glenn make his first start of the season, against Clemson (3-1, 2-0), with Uiagalelei having suffered a broken finger on his throwing hand, according to ESPN. Uiagalelei is expected to miss multiple games, per the report.

Uiagalelei has struggled, throwing four touchdown passes and six interceptions and has completed only 53.8 percent of his passes with a quarterback rating of 34.4.

“DJ did make a lot of good throws throughout the course of the game and some good decisions,” Seminoles coach Mike Norvell said of last week’s 42-16 loss at SMU. “He made some poor decisions and a couple bad throws, but you’ve got to help the quarterback. I don’t think we’ve done a good job of that consistently. At the end of the day, we all have to have ownership in that.”

Glenn entered in relief against the Mustangs and did not complete any of his four pass attempts. Last season, Glenn started for the Seminoles as a true freshman in the ACC title game against Louisville after injuries sidelined Jordan Travis and Tate Rodemaker.

Glenn went 8 for 21 for 55 yards in the Seminoles’ 16-6 victory and was sacked four times. He also started FSU’s 63-3 loss to Georgia in the Orange Bowl, going 9-for-26 for 139 yards with two interceptions.

“I don’t care who’s playing quarterback,” Norvell said. “Some of the things that showed up tonight. Playing quarterback, you can have a freshman, you can have whatever talent in the world, we’ve got to help the quarterback out, too.”

Klubnik has fared far better than Uiagalelei this season.

In addition to one of the best touchdown-to-interception ratios in the country with 12 touchdown passes and two interceptions, Klubnik enters Saturday’s game ranked second in the ACC in QB rating (89.1) and is tied for the third-most touchdown passes.

“It’s a part of it, but the majority of the credit belongs to him and his growth from last year. He’s a really talented football player,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “Sometimes you have to be patient with some guys. Not every guy will show up and no assembly required. He put a ton of work in during the offseason and in every area.”

Clemson, which is coming off a 40-14 victory over Stanford last week, also has one of the top running games in the conference. The Tigers are led by one of the ACC’s most efficient running backs in Phil Mafah, who is averaging 8 yards per carry, among the best in the conference.

The biggest question for the Tigers has been their defense, which has yielded an average of 401.8 yards per game, including 183.3 rushing. Clemson ranks second-to-last in the ACC in both categories.

Swinney said Tuesday he hopes the Tigers will have offensive lineman Collin Sadler (calf) and defensive lineman Peter Woods (leg) back in the lineup after each player missed the past two games because of injuries.

“(Woods) was close. I think he’s right there,” Swinney said. “So we’re hopeful.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (4) warms up before a game against the California Golden Bears at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

Florida St. looking to take down another ACC newbie at SMU

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Fresh off beating one conference newcomer, Florida State will now be the opponent for another Atlantic Coast Conference newbie’s debut when it travels to Dallas to take on SMU on Saturday night.

The Mustangs (3-1, 0-0 ACC) will face the Seminoles (1-3, 1-2) for the first time. SMU enters the game with one of the most potent offenses in the country under coach Rhett Lashlee and coming off a 66-42 shootout win over rival TCU.

SMU is 16th in the nation in scoring offense, led by Miami transfer Brashard Smith with 380 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

Both teams have dealt with struggling quarterbacks differently in recent weeks.

SMU entered the season with Preston Stone as the starter. Stone was benched after the Mustangs’ 18-15 loss to BYU on Sept. 6 and replaced by Kevin Jennings, who shined in the win over TCU. Jennings completed 14 of 19 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 41 yards on 10 carries.

Jennings complemented Smith effectively as the latter finished with 127 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

“We felt like to win, from the first play to the last play we needed to just leave no doubt that we’re the most physical team on the field,” Lashlee said.

Meanwhile, Florida State has stuck with starter DJ Uiagalelei despite his subpar play most of the season. Uiagalelei has completed 72 of 126 passes for 843 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Last week, he passed for 177 yards and an interception against Cal but also had the game-winning, 36-yard TD pass to Ja’Khi Douglas.

“Obviously, we all get to have the opportunity to go out and get better, and that’s going to be the push throughout the course of this week,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “There were some good things that DJ did in some very critical moments, and there are things where he has to be better.”

Norvell said the Seminoles will be without running back Roydell Williams for an extended period of time due to an undisclosed injury.

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) throws a pass against the San Diego State Aztecs during the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Winless Florida State hosts unbeaten Cal in ACC action

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Some could have predicted that when California faced Florida State at this point in the season, one team would be undefeated and one would still be winless.

But most probably thought the roles would be reversed.

The reality is the Bears are the ones who arrive for their first-ever Atlantic Coast Conference matchup Saturday night in Tallahassee, Fla., with an unblemished record. Meanwhile, the Seminoles (0-3) are off to one of the most disappointing starts in program history.

Cal coach Justin Wilcox has guided the Bears to their first 3-0 start since 2019, which includes a road win at Auburn. But Wilcox said his squad still has some growing up to do heading into what is always a tough road venue.

“We all got to learn how to win,” Wilcox said following last weekend’s 31-10 defeat of San Diego State. “The team has to learn how to win, the program’s got to learn how to win.”

The Bears finished with a season-best 473 yards of offense in that win over the Aztecs. Fernando Mendoza played well, completing 21 of 29 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns. Nyziah Hunter has four touchdown receptions in three games.

For the Seminoles, the offense has continued to struggle for a team that opened the season ranked in the top 10 and coming off a 13-0 regular season in 2023.

Transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei is 56-of-99 passing for 666 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, and is averaging 6.7 yards per attempt. FSU’s lack of a running game has not helped. The Seminoles rank 133rd of 134 FBS teams, averaging 52 yards rushing per game.

“Looking at DJ, obviously, it’s been a challenging start for everybody. It takes 11,” coach Mike Norvell said this week, coming off a 20-12 loss to Memphis, the team he coached for four years before taking the FSU job.

Uiagalelei threw for 201 yards and an interception against Memphis.

“We all have a job, we all have a responsibility. I think when you look at the game, there were some things that DJ did really well in putting guys in a position and trying to give opportunities,” Norvell said. “But there were also a few times that we had some missed opportunities on his part, in our overall execution.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Memphis Tigers defensive back An'Darius Coffey (4) forces a fumble by Florida State Seminoles running back Roydell Williams (24) during the first half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

Memphis extends Florida State’s misery with 20-12 win

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Seth Henigan completed 25 of 38 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns to lead Memphis to a 20-12 road victory over Florida State and their former coach Mike Norvell on Saturday in Tallahassee, Fla.

The Tigers (3-0) picked up a win over a Power Four opponent and beat struggling Florida State (0-3) for the first time since 1976, snapping a four-game losing streak in the series.

Anthony Landphere led all Memphis receivers with five catches for 66 yards and a first half touchdown, which helped the Tigers build a 13-3 lead at halftime that was extended to 20-3 in the third quarter.

Memphis’ defense recorded four sacks led by Vic Alobwede, who had 1 1/2 sacks and 1 1/2 tackles for loss.

The loss added to Florida State’s early-season struggles amid its worst start since losing its first four games in 2021, which was Norvell’s second year in Tallahassee.

Florida State’s offense continued to struggle, both on the ground and through the air as DJ Uiagalelei completed 16 of 30 passes for 201 yards, but did not throw a touchdown pass and was intercepted once.

Uiagalelei did strike on a big play in the third quarter when he connected with Malik Benson on a pass deep down the middle for a 67-yard gain on the first drive of the second half.

The play was the longest of the season so far for the Seminoles (0-3), who had not yet gained more than 40 yards on a play.

The reception set up Roydell Williams’ 4-yard touchdown run two plays later. Florida State missed the 2-point try as it pulled within 20-9.

Florida State’s Justin Cryer made a spectacular interception on Memphis’ ensuing drive after the Tigers advanced to the Seminoles’ 27 yard-line. The turnover led to a 16-play, 71-yard drive that ended with a Ryan Fitzgerald 35-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 20-12.

Memphis kicker Caden Costa missed a 55-yard field goal attempt wide right with 2:46 left. But Uiagalelei was sacked twice on FSU’s ensuing drive forcing it to punt with 1:57 left. FSU’s defense forced a punt itself and the Seminoles regained possession at their own 14 with 46 seconds left.

But after Uiagalelei drove the Seminoles to Memphis’ 39 with one second left, his final pass near the end zone was knocked down by Julian Barnett to seal the outcome.

Memphis held Florida State to only 37 yards rushing.

–Field Level Media

Apr 20, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (4) during the Spring Showcase at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

Florida State-Georgia Tech: Preview, Props, Trends

Posted on | by Field Level Media

For 229 days, the college football world has awaited the return of the ever-changing sport.

No team is more eager to get back to the proving grounds than No. 10 Florida State.

Georgia Tech and Florida State kick off the 2024 season on Saturday in Dublin, Ireland. Saturday marks the ninth college football game played in the country.

THE ODDS
Florida State is a consensus 10.5-point favorite among major sportsbooks. That includes BetMGM, where the Seminoles have been backed by 54 percent of the spread-line handle since opening at -13.5. The 68 percent of the total bets backing FSU’s spread line has been the most popular bet among Week 0 games at the book.

Meanwhile, BetRivers reported that the Seminoles’ -560 moneyline to win the game outright has been the second most popular play with 16.6 percent of all money wagered. That’s behind only the 22.3 percent backing the Under on 57.5 total points being scored when Delaware State visits Hawaii.

The 55.5-point Over/Under between FSU and Georgia Tech at BetMGM has seen fairly split action, with 58 percent of the bets backing the Over while the Under has drawn 54 percent of the money.

THE SERIES
The Seminoles have dominated the series with a 13-4 advantage in regular-season ACC meetings (2-0 in ACC title games).

Georgia Tech is playing internationally for the second time. The Yellow Jackets topped Boston College 17-14 in the inaugural Aer Lingus Classic in 2016.

“It’s a great opportunity for Georgia Tech,” coach Brent Key said. “It’ll be great for people to see the GT on a worldwide stage.”

UIAGALELEI ERA BEGINS
A College Football Playoff bridesmaid in December, the Seminoles return depth from the 13-1 conference-championship winning team. Florida State brings back 73 players, including nine All-ACC members, an unprecedented number in today’s transfer portal-dominated landscape.

In the backfield, the Seminoles are led by fifth-year senior Lawrance Toafili, who rushed for 463 yards in 2023, when he backed up Trey Benson. Toafili was last year’s ACC Championship Game MVP and enters the season as Florida State’s leading returner in rushing and all-purpose yards.

The offense returns a receiving core of nine Seminoles who combined for 86 receptions for 1,195 yards and five touchdowns. Although the unit lost Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson and Jaheim Bell to the NFL Draft, a pair of experienced players in Mackey Award watch list tight end Kyle Morlock (19 receptions, 255 yards in 2023) and Ja’Khi Douglas (14-243) look to anchor the group.

Maybe the most vital piece of the Florida State roster is fifth-year transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. He takes over for Jordan Travis, the 2023 ACC Player of the Year whose season ended with a knee injury that shifted the Seminoles’ fortunes. Travis was a fifth-round pick of the Jets in April.

After an inconsistent career at Clemson from 2020-22, Uiagalelei found more success at Oregon State in 2023, passing for 2,638 yards and accounting for 27 total touchdowns.

Back in the ACC for a final go-around, the veteran quarterback is considered a key in the Seminoles’ bid for their first College Football Playoff appearance in a decade.

“DJ has played in a lot of football games,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. “He’s seen it all. He’s been through the highs and lows. I could not be any more pleased with what I’ve seen since he got here in January. He’s playing with a lot of confidence. I’m excited to see him go play like he’s prepared. If he does that, I think he could have a very special season.”

In front of Uiagalelei, Florida State returns all-conference offensive linemen Darius Washington and Maurice Smith.

Florida State was left out of the playoff last season in part because of injuries at the quarterback position. But the Seminoles are 23-4 the past two seasons and don’t need a pep talk before taking the field in 2024.

TECH TRENDING UP
Georgia Tech enters the season coming off its first winning campaign since 2018, and first bowl win since 2016. Key has the program anticipating renewed success.

Dual-threat quarterback Haynes King, who threw for 2,842 yards and 27 touchdowns, while adding 737 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground in 2023, is back behind center for the Yellow Jackets.

“When I say (Haynes) has every skill and every bit of ability to be the best quarterback in the country, I mean it,” Key said. “We’re very excited for him.”

Last year’s leading rusher Jamal Haynes (1,059 yards, seven touchdowns) also returns for Tech.

Florida State’s offense gets plenty of publicity. The Seminoles have some youth on the other side of the ball, but defensive back Azareye’h Thomas said the group’s mindset paves the way for positives.

Key overturned a staff that ranked 97th in the country last year in points allowed. Duke’s defensive coordinator, Tyler Santucci, relocated to Atlanta. Under Santucci, the Blue Devils allowed just 19 points per game, best in the ACC.

“That’s why I got hired,” Santucci said. “Stop people, create takeaways … get the ball back to the offense and don’t let them score touchdowns. That’s not pressure. That’s our job.”

THEY SAID IT
“They have speed, speed, speed. Our defense will have to mind our Ps and Qs. It starts in the meeting room. We watch film so that when we come out to practice, it’s easy.” — Georgia Tech defensive back Azareye’h Thomas on facing the FSU offense.

–Field Level Media

Dec 30, 2023; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Kendall Milton (2) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half in the 2023 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

No. 6 Georgia throttles No. 5 Florida State in Orange Bowl rout

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Carson Beck passed for two touchdowns in two quarters of action and No. 6 Georgia steamrolled No. 5 Florida State 63-3 on Saturday in a record showing at the Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Beck completed 13 of 18 passes for 203 yards before exiting as the Bulldogs won by an Orange Bowl-record 60 points. The previous largest margin of victory was 55 when Alabama routed Syracuse 61-6 on Jan. 1, 1953.

Kendall Milton rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns and Daijun Edwards also ran for two scores as Georgia (13-1) pummeled a previously unbeaten Florida State squad. The Seminoles were missing several key players on both sides of the ball, most of them either declaring for the NFL draft or entering the transfer portal.

Georgia backup quarterback Gunner Stockton was 6-of-10 passing for 96 yards and two scores. Daylen Everette and Malaki Starks had interceptions for the Bulldogs, who have won 46 of their past 48 games.

Freshman Brock Glenn completed 9 of 26 passes for 139 yards and two interceptions in his second straight start for Florida State (13-1). Glenn became the starter after star Jordan Travis broke his leg and Tate Rodemaker sustained a concussion and later entered the portal.

The shellacking ended Florida State’s 19-game winning streak, which was second-longest behind Washington (20).

The Bulldogs rolled up an Orange Bowl-record 673 total yards and limited the Seminoles to 209.

Georgia blew the game open with a 35-point, second-quarter blitz.

Milton scored on a 15-yard run with 4:05 left in the first quarter and tacked on a 5-yard touchdown run three seconds into the second to make it 14-0.

After Ryan Fitzgerald kicked a 22-yard field goal for the Seminoles, Edwards scored on a 15-yard run for the Bulldogs to make it 21-3.

Florida State’s Deuce Spann fumbled away the ensuing kickoff when hit by Chaz Chambliss and Cole Speer recovered for Georgia at the Seminoles’ 27-yard line. On the next play, Ladd McConkey scooted 27 yards on a reverse to give the Bulldogs two touchdowns in 20 seconds and a 25-point advantage with 10:18 left in the half.

Beck threw two touchdowns passes later in the half, first hitting Arian Smith from 12 yards out and then tossing a 2-yarder to Dominic Lovett to make it 42-3 with 24 seconds to go.

Stockton replaced Beck at the outset of the second half and guided Georgia on a 10-play, 75-yard drive. Edwards capped it with a 2-yard run.

Stockton threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Lawson Luckie to make it 56-3 with 2:30 left in the third quarter. He added a 14-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Evans III with 12:10 left in the game.

–Field Level Media

Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Johnny Wilson (14) catches a pass from Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jordan Travis (13). The Florida State Seminoles defeated the Miami Hurricanes 27-20 on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023.

Super-sized WR Johnny Wilson leaving FSU for NFL

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Florida State wide receiver Johnny Wilson declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, ESPN announced Wednesday.

Wilson accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where the 6-foot-7, 237-pound wideout likely is to be tried at tight end to showcase his versatility and skills to potential future employers.

Wilson accumulated 1,514 career receiving yards and 84 receptions with the Seminoles and the redshirt junior was an All-ACC selection in 2023, with 41 receptions for 617 yards and two touchdowns.

A transfer from Arizona State, Wilson caught 18 passes combined in 2020-21 with the Sun Devils before heading to Tallahassee.

It’s not clear whether Wilson’s decision to turn pro will impact his availability for the Orange Bowl.

–Field Level Media

Florida State Seminoles quarterback Tate Rodemaker (18) talks to his teammates. The Florida State Seminoles defeated the Boston College Eagles 44-14 at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Fsu V Boston College Second005

No. 5 Florida State, Florida without starting QBs for rivalry game

Posted on | by Field Level Media

While No. 5 Florida State and Florida remain fierce rivals, they have something painfully in common right now.

Each is dealing with a devastating injury to its starting quarterback heading into the annual post-Thanksgiving rivalry clash, which the Gators will host on Saturday night in Gainesville, Fla.

Florida State (11-0) now faces the daunting challenge of trying to keep its national championship hopes alive without Heisman Trophy candidate Jordan Travis, who suffered a significant leg injury during the first quarter of last weekend’s 58-13 win over North Alabama.

Meanwhile, Florida (5-6) lost starter Graham Mertz potentially for the remainder of the season after he suffered a non-displaced collarbone fracture with 2:09 left in the third quarter of the Gators’ heartbreaking 33-31 loss at Missouri last Saturday.

Travis’ injury clearly had an impact on the most recent College Football Playoff rankings released Tuesday night. The latest poll had the Seminoles ranked No. 5 behind No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Michigan and No. 4 Washington, and on the outside looking in after being ranked fourth each of the past three weeks.

Michigan and Ohio State face each other this weekend, which guarantees one of the five unbeaten teams in that mix will drop.

But there’s speculation that even an unbeaten Florida State team with victories over the Gators and potentially Louisville in next week’s Atlantic Coast Conference championship game could get left out of the Playoff in favor of the Michigan-Ohio State loser depending on the impression the Seminoles make over their next two games.

“It’s always about us. And through challenge, through adversity, through whatever the perspective is on the outside of people that think that know our team?” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. “I live with them every day. I watch them every day, I watch their work, I watch their heart, the ability — all the things that are important to winning football games and being able to sustain success.”

The Seminoles will try to press forward with redshirt junior Tate Rodemaker starting at quarterback. For the season, Rodemaker is 20 of 31 for 376 yards, with five touchdowns and no interceptions. Last week after Travis went down, Rodemaker went 13-for-23 passing for 217 yards and two touchdowns.

“Tate’s an old head,” Florida State offensive coordinator Alex Atkins told reporters this week. “Not like we’re putting in some redshirt freshman, he’s been around. … He’s been in it for a while. He understands the system now.”

The Gators, meanwhile, will go with redshirt freshman Max Brown, who entered in relief of Mertz and will make his first collegiate start against FSU.

Brown completed 4 of 5 passes for 56 yards and ran for 42 yards on seven carries against Missouri.

“Give Max some credit,” Florida coach Billy Napier said after the loss. “Max settled in there a little bit and made a few plays. Obviously, he’s a good athlete and we were able to use his legs a little bit in the read game.”

Napier said Monday that a recent scan of Mertz’s collarbone hinted it could heal on its own allowing him to potentially avoid surgery.

“You know, we’re basically gonna go in a two-week period here where we’re going to give a chance for the fracture to start the process of growing back, and then we’ll re-evaluate things,” Napier said.

The Seminoles will get a desperate Florida team that needs a victory in order to avoid missing a bowl game for the first time since going 4-7 in 2017.

–Field Level Media

Nov 4, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jordan Travis (13) passes the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

No. 4 Florida State won’t take foot off gas vs. North Alabama

Posted on | by Field Level Media

No. 4 Florida State can probably play at several levels below its best Saturday night and still win comfortably against visiting North Alabama in Tallahassee.

But fourth-year coach Mike Norvell vows the Seminoles (10-0) will give their FCS opponent the same respect they give anyone else. That includes Miami, whom they beat 27-20 last week to clinch an 8-0 Atlantic Coast Conference record and a spot in the league’s championship game on Dec. 2.

“I’ve watched them make the investment,” Norvell said. “And we are going to respect the opportunity and we are going to respect all the work that these guys have poured in to get to this point. We are going to improve this week.”

Florida State, which likely is three wins away from a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals, got 265 passing yards and a touchdown from Jordan Travis against Miami. It continued an excellent season for Travis, who is completing just over 64 percent of his passes for 2,734 yards with 20 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

Keon Coleman has been his favorite target with 42 receptions for 562 yards and 10 touchdowns. Johnny Wilson has 30 catches for 497 yards, while tight end Jaheim Bell has 34 grabs for 406 yards. The running game is spearheaded by Travis Benson (721 yards, 6.4 yards per carry, 10 TDs).

The win over Miami was just the third by a touchdown or less for the Seminoles, who are outscoring teams by an average of 21 points. It was their 16th straight win, dating back to a 34-28 setback to Clemson on Oct. 15, 2022.

That run, the third longest currently in FBS behind Georgia (27) and Washington (17), is why Norvell is so insistent on treating this game like any other.

“If we don’t apply those lessons, we are not achieving the objective of what we set out for,” he said. “We need to go get better.”

While Florida State aims for improvement and another win, North Alabama comes to the end of a long season with a big paycheck at the end of a not-so-beautiful rainbow. The Lions (3-7) have been idle since a 27-14 loss on Nov. 4 against United Athletic Conference foe Central Arkansas.

The one highlight from that game was a milestone. Sixth-year senior Takairee Kenebrew tied the school record for most touchdown catches in a career with 25, grabbing two in the second half, the second one with 3:46 remaining in the game.

“I had been through a lot throughout my career,” Kenebrew said. “So just to have that accomplishment, it just feels really great. But I’m not stopping at tying it. We still got another game to go to break it.”

That Kenebrew reached the record is even more amazing when one considers injuries held him out of all but two games from 2018-20. Since the start of the 2021 season, he has amassed 1,825 receiving yards.

This will be the first meeting of the two programs.

–Field Level Media