Well, that was disappointing. Florida State was shocked by Georgia Tech 24-21 in Ireland to open the 2024 college football season, and FSU fans were left wondering what just happened.
While most of Garnet’s performance on the field was disappointing, there were a few bright spots for the Seminoles if you look closely. Here’s this week’s stock report after week zero.
READ MORE: Florida State fans and former players react to shocking loss to Georgia Tech
Ryan Fitzgerald, footballer
There are lots of things to say about this game, but Ryan Fitzgerald’s performance is not one of them. After struggling early in his career, he was rock solid in 2023, hitting 19 of his 21 FG attempts and all 58 extra points, but none of his kicks last season were longer than 48 yards. He topped that with his two kicks today.
His first kick was 52 yards to increase the Noles’ lead to 11-7 in the second quarter, and his second kick was 59 yards to end the first half, tying his previous career high of 53 yards and making it the second longest kick in Florida State history.
They also had some fun with Fitzgerald, sending him on a fake jet sweep to set up the swinging gate 2-point conversion earlier in the game.
Late 4th Down Conversions
When it needed to, FSU was able to capitalize on two great fourth down attempts. Even on the first attempt, which was blocked in the first quarter, DJ Uiagalelei read the play correctly and threw the ball on a hot route with pressure in his face. Georgia Tech defender Ahmari Harvey made a great tackle just outside the posts.
In the fourth quarter, however, Florida State managed two big conversions on the way to tying the score. First, it was a 20-yard toss to Ja’Khi Douglas, who sat down in the middle of the zone on fourth-and-7 after the Yellow Jackets had moved eight into coverage. Uiagalelei drifted left and threw a strike past the arms of an outstretched GT linebacker.
The second attempt came on fourth-and-8 in the red zone when Uiagalelei hit Alabama transfer Malik Benson on a slant and gained 19 yards to set up first-and-goal. These great plays kept FSU in the game as they put the ball in the end zone shortly after.
Malik Benson, wide receiver
Even though Benson finished with a modest stat line of 4 catches for 39 yards, he shined on the field and was open more often than not. If Uiagalelei had aimed for goal, Benson would have outpaced his man on the sideline for a walk-in touchdown, but the pass sailed out of bounds.
Benson and Ja’Khi Douglas obviously harmonize well with DJU, the ball just has to be accurate.
Shyheim Brown, Security
Shyheim Brown was actually the only defender willing to step up and make a tackle, leading both teams with 13 total tackles. He is one of the leaders of this defense, but will need to increase his impact going forward.
Safeties should never be in position to make that many tackles anyway (we’ll get into that later), but at least Brown is willing to make the necessary plays.
DJ Uiagalelei, quarterback
Maybe this is a hot opinion, but DJ Uiagalelei didn’t lose Florida State in this game, he just didn’t contribute much to the win. Whether he “stays steady” also depends on your opinion of him at the start of the season.
As someone who didn’t think much of him, he did pretty much what I expected: He threw short passes early to keep the ball moving and made timely throws in the final period to extend drives. But it was clear Mike Norvell didn’t trust him from the start, as he didn’t attempt a pass past the first-down marker until the end of the first half.
Uiagalelei also missed a few throws, like the aforementioned deep throw to Malik Benson and another to Ja’Khi Douglas on a crosser that would have been a touchdown but was thrown too short. Some passes sailed out of bounds with far too much power, but the result of 19/27 for 193 yards could have been much worse.
The Offensive Line
What was touted as this team’s great strength in the offseason was a major disappointment as the game went on. Georgia Tech overloaded the right side of FSU’s O-line on third downs and the ‘Noles couldn’t respond, leaving free rushers in Uiagalelei’s face. After 58 rushing yards on the first drive, Florida State had just 40 rushing yards the rest of the game. With such a talented running back, that falls on the offensive line.
The trouble started when Robert Scott came in at right tackle. Jeremiah Byers is not a world-class player, but Scott was outmatched in this game, which is a shame considering how promising he was earlier in his career. Injuries have taken away much of the athleticism he once had.
Maurice Smith was solid, but overall this unit was disappointing.
The Linebackers
My goodness, this unit was awful in this game. DJ Lundy took bad angles and was forced into the flats multiple times, Omar Graham Jr. was nonexistent and no one could fill the run properly. Blake Nichelson combined with Daniel Lyons for a TFL and Lundy had one later in the game but that was about it. Lundy also missed a chance at a turnover when he tried to recover a Georgia Tech fumble but he ran too far and GT fell on it.
Florida State was clearly missing Kalen DeLoach and Tatum Bethune in this game. DeLoach’s ability to run sideline to sideline was an underrated aspect of last year’s defense, and with Thomas Castellanos out, it won’t be any easier next week. If they had trouble containing Haynes King, next week will be a nightmare.
The defense line
Before the game, College GameDay aired a segment saying that Florida State’s defensive line starting pitchers Patrick Payton, Marvin Jones Jr., Darrell Jackson and Joshua Farmer could all be among the top 100 picks in next year’s NFL Draft based on scouts’ observations at practice.
These four combined for 6 tackles, 1 QB hurl, and 0 tackles for loss. This unit was a complete no-show. With all the noise surrounding this group in the offseason, perhaps the hype went to their heads because they were trying to play for an NFL contract instead of playing defense. They were taken off blocks all game and that can’t happen in the future.
Time management
This game was mismanaged by Florida State’s offense, starting with the final drive of the first half. FSU got the ball at the 25-yard line and needed 3:13 to go 34 yards in 9 plays before Fitzgerald landed a bomb kick. For lack of a better word, that’s just gross. And it didn’t get any better in the second half.
Florida State had only three drives in the second half: 6 plays and 22 yards in 2:13, 6 plays and 11 yards in 3:25, and 15 plays and 84 yards in 8:18. Georgia Tech had excellent control of the ball and the clock, and FSU never showed any desire to fight it. They should have left more than the 6:33 minutes Georgia Tech completely used up before their game-winning kick.
READ MORE: Three thoughts on Florida State’s puzzling loss to Georgia Tech
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