Seminoles sink
FSU unable to continue momentum built from win over Tar Heels
Florida State’s defense couldn’t build on its strong performance during an upset ofNorth Carolina, struggling during the Seminoles’ 48-16 road loss to Louisville Saturday.
The Cardinals’ offense shook up the FSUdefense, taking hold of the game in the first half and never letting go.
FSU linebacker Emmett Rice, who led the Seminoles with eight overall tackles and six solo stops, said every defensive player failed to execute the game plan and avoid mistakes.
“We just weren’t doing our jobs,” Rice said after the loss. “Eight out of thewhole11woulddo their job and a big playwould happen. I feel like if all 11 were to do their jobs, then we would’ve had those big plays.”
FSU (2-4, 1-4 ACC) showed a flicker of promise early when quarterback Jordan Travis retrieved a fumble with one hand, evaded tacklers and scrambled for a touchdown that put his team ahead 7-0.
Louisville (2-4, 1-4 ACC), however, answered with four touchdown drives the Seminoles could not stop or match.
Overall, Louisville accumulated 569 yards while the Seminoles gained 406. The difference is just two of FSU’s drives ended in the end zone.
The Cardinals’ first four scoring drives spanned seven or fewer plays, striking quickly while poking holes throughout the Seminoles’ defense.
JavianHawkins carried the ball 16 times for 174 yards and three touchdowns, including a 70-yard scoring run that helped deflate the Seminoles.
FSU players quickly grew frustrated and couldn’t capitalize when the defense limited Louisville to 17 points in the second half.
“Offensively, defensively we gave up way too many explosives, some missed tackles, explosive runs, gave up a couple of plays and man-to-man coverage,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said. “It’s a talented and explosive offense we faced and we didn’t do much to slowthem down today.”
FSU earned a safety in the second half, but it delivered the Seminoles’ only points of the third and fourth quarters.
Florida State continued to see penalties stall drives, with false starts and delays among 11 flags costing the team104 yards.
“That’s something that we got to continue to work on and a choice has to be made. There’s not a day that goes by that I’ve been here that there’s not been accountability and what our standard is,” Norvell said. “There’s going to continue to be accountability for that, but obviously the message has to continue to get across and a choice has to be made and that’s in all aspects ofwhatwe’re doing.”
Travis couldn’t providemuchof a spark while the defense struggled, going 14-of-32 passing for 141 yards and one touchdown.
Cardinals quarterback Malik Cunningham, meanwhile, was 16-of-24 passing for 278 yards and two touchdowns during the win.
“[We’ve] just got to get better,” Travis said. “It’s not about Louisville or anybody thatwe play, it’s about us. [We’ve] just got to get more consistent starting with me. Our confidence isn’t there and we lost it throughout thegameandwe just have to be consistent. That’s the main thing.”
FSU has a bye week to address the latest wave of mistakes before facing Pitt onNov. 7.