Taylor delivers his first interceptions
Serving as the starting cornerback opposite
during each of FSU’s 11 games this season, has had an underrated season — at least statistically.
His performance during Florida State’s 38-22 win over Florida Saturday changed that perspective.
The sophomore had the first multiple-interception game by a Seminole since
against Notre Dame in 2014 with two first-half picks. They also were Taylor’s first interceptions of his FSU career.
“There isn’t a guy that competes any harder than that guy,” FSU coach
said of Taylor. “That guy puts his heart and soul out there every time he goes to practice.”
Stats such as interceptions are hardly the best indicator of a cornerback’s performance. For instance, this season Taylor had allowed only 33.3 percent of passes thrown his way to be completed entering Saturday’s game.
That being said, Taylor was thrilled to have the opportunity to make a more noticeable impact in such an important game.
“I’ve always wanted my first career interception to come in a big game,” Taylor said. “I’m happy it came against the Gators like this.”
As the season has progressed, a few true freshmen have broken into FSU’s defensive rotation. None have been as consistent as
Samuels, whose father played cornerback at FSU from 1999-2003, has followed in his father’s footsteps, emerging as a key contributor early in his collegiate career.
During Saturday’s win, Samuels came up with a sack of UF quarterback
the first of the Seminole’s career.
Samuels also earned two interceptions this season, tying for the team high, and has four pass break-ups.
“He’s just a talented guy. He’s really mature, understands how to compete,” Fisher said. “He has a chance to be a really good player.”
For the second consecutive week, FSU’s special-teams unit came up big with a blocked kick.
FSU defensive tackle
broke through this time, blocking an extra point near the end of the first half against Florida. Aime’s block was the sixth for FSU this season, tying the Seminoles for the most nationally with Northern Illinois and Virginia Tech.
As can happen in rivalry games, FSU and Florida had their chippy moments Saturday.
Bickering after plays resulted in eight unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties, including three sets of offsetting unsportsmanlike penalties.
The most notable of these came in the third quarter on a FSU punt when sophomore linebacker committed a pair of personal fouls on the same play, an unnecessary roughness call during the play and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the play.
As a result of the two fouls, Jackson was ejected. Fisher was unclear about the circumstances surrounding his exit.
“They said he got them both on that play, but what I don’t understand is that he wasn’t the one that should have been called. … I won’t know until I see the video,” Fisher said.