For the second straight game, Florida State’s offense looked stagnant at best, struggling to gain any momentum aside from two field goal drives.
While the Seminoles at least got an early point last week, FSU didn’t get a first down until the fourth drive of the game. That was the first of the aforementioned scoring drives that started on a short field but only yielded three points for Florida State after stalling in the red zone.
The defense also got off to a slow start, allowing Boston College to dominate possession for over 14 minutes in the first quarter, while the second quarter began with a touchdown by the Eagles. With former FSU back Treshaun Ward unable to block the wheel route, two great catches by former FSU back Treshaun Ward first put Boston College in scoring position and then secured another touchdown, making the score 14-0 with 9:48 left in the second quarter.
After Florida State scored the first points of the game with Ryan Fitzgerald’s 31-yard field goal, the Seminoles defense forced the third punt of the night, giving FSU another chance to score before the end of the quarter.
It started slow, but great completions from Ja’Khi Douglas (for 3 and 14 yards) and Malik Benson (19 yards) helped Florida State get into good position. In the end zone, however, Uiagalelei failed to hit the open receivers on his first and second attempts, and then he missed again when he tried to pass the ball to Kyle Morlock.
The Seminoles are currently trailing 14-6 and will receive the ball at the start of the third quarter.
Boston College 14, FSU 6: Halftime thoughts
- That’s a little too much “generalized signature of an angry sports columnist” (especially since the end of the second quarter looked so completely different), but on both sides of the ball, early in the game, it didn’t look like Florida State was really interested in winning one-on-one matchups or going through without hesitation. Locking down receivers, uncertainty filling gaps, failure to fill any gaps — these are problems we saw a lot of last week against Georgia Tech, and any hopes that they would be a one-week occurrence quickly evaporated as the Eagles were able to do whatever they wanted on offense and their defense fended off everything FSU tried. When Florida State finally started to impose its will late in the second quarter, we saw some positives, and now the second half is a chance to keep that momentum going.
- DJ Uiagalelei’s failure to get anything done in the passing game is one thing — you can blame that on the receivers if you really want to give him the benefit of the doubt — but the aspect of his game that was touted as unique was his ability as a runner. We didn’t see that, as the quarterback seemed unsure of his ability to get going on several occasions, and his sack on FSU’s first goal-to-go drive of the game contributed to the Seminoles having to settle for a field goal. If the point is that the game system needs to better accommodate his abilities, whether by backing off or letting go, then it’s long past time for Norvell to switch it up and let his playmakers play. There were some bright spots on that final FSU drive of the second quarter, but those moments need to become the norm and not just blips, as we also saw him miss three easily scoreable touchdown throws on consecutive plays. It might be a bit of an exaggeration to say that after just a game and a half, but if the results on offense are a result of Uiagalelei truly reaching his ceiling, then perhaps we will have to wait and see what the future holds for the rest of the room.
- Florida State’s defense might be getting into its stride? I won’t congratulate them too much, because those first two touchdown drives were just further proof of a defense that much a lot of work to do, but the Seminoles seemed to calm down a bit as the second quarter progressed and managed to get the offense a few more possessions.
Florida State vs. Boston College: Halftime Stats
Total Yards
Boston College: 188
FSU: 118
Pass-Höfen
Boston College: 102
FSU: 108
Rush Yards
Boston College: 86
FSU: 10
Punish
Boston College: 0-0
FS: 2-10
1. Downs
Boston College: 9
FSU: 5
3. Downs
Boston College: 6-9
FS: 1-7
4. Downs
Boston College: 0-0
FS: 1-1
Total number of plays
Boston College: 36
FSU: 27
Average Yards/Game
Boston College: 5.2
FSU: 4.4
Average Yards/Completions
Boston College: 11.3
FSU: 13.5
Average Yards/Rush
Boston College: 3.6
FSU: 1.7
Sack-Adj Rush Yd (Average)
Boston College: 88 (4)
FSU: 18 (3.6)
Red Zone
Boston College: 2-2
FS: 2-2
Ownership period
Boston College: 21:06
FSU: 08:29
Def Pts Off
Boston College: 0 (0)
FSU: 0 (0)
Fumbles-Lost
Boston College: 2-0
FS: 1-0
Sacks (Def Yards)
Boston College: 1 (8)
FSU: 2 (2)
TFL (Def-Yds)
Boston College: 1 (8)
FSU: 4 (11)
