Seminoles chasing elusive synergy

TALLAHASSEE – At times, Florida State’s offense and defense have thrived, but both sides of the ball have rarely been clicking simultaneously this season.

While the Seminoles have shut down opposing offenses early in games, their offense has struggled to put up first-half points. When the offense gets rolling as the game progresses, the defense is unable to get that final stop it needs to preserve a win.

“You've got to play together. That's the thing in team sports,” FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. “All segments got to be together to make everything click.”

The units didn’t click during Saturday’s 31-28 loss to Louisville.

Early on, the defense stood tall, keeping the Cardinals off the board on three consecutive possessions after allowing a touchdown on Louisville’s opening drive. FSU’s offense gained no positive momentum from this strong defensive performance, coming up with zero points over the rest of the opening half after a touchdown on the opening drive.

“I thought the offense didn’t really do what we needed to do in the first half,” FSU tight end said. “Some people just didn’t perform as well as they needed to.”

When the offense finally woke up in the fourth quarter, rattling off touchdowns on back-to-back possessions to tie the game at 28, FSU’s defense could no longer earn stops. “I don’t really know what it is,” FSU defensive end

said. “Obviously we’re not making the plays we need to make when it’s time to make them.”

FSU at Boston College, Friday, 8 p.m., ESPN

Sweat Next game: Ryan Izzo Josh