It was an amazing start to a ball game, with the first two plays from scrimmage going for touchdowns before an announced audience of 61,665. An 84 yard pass and catch from junior quarterback, Quinton Flowers, to senior receiver, Rodney Adams, to put the Bulls on the scoreboard with just 17 seconds off the clock. On the very next play, junior running back, Dalvin Cook, put six on the board for FSU.
USF’s second possession of the game took longer than the 17 seconds of the first, but it did end in a touchdown. Junior running back, Marlon Mack, did the honors after being denied on first and ten. His second effort was a one yard rush to put the score up 14-7, Bulls.
The Seminoles wouldn’t stay down long, though. On the next drive, it as Cook again to the end zone for a nine yard score. That play was set up by a big 39 yard pass and catch from freshman quarterback, Deondre Francois, to junior receiver, Ro’Derrick Hoskins.
On their third drive of the game, the Bulls were finally forced to punt for the first time in the game. The drive ended with Flowers being sacked with third and eight from the Bulls’ 18 yard line.
FSU seized the opportunity to take the lead on their next chance. Taking possession at the 50 yard line, Francois dumped to Cook, who zipped downfield 27 yards to the USF 23. Three plays later, senior fullback, Freddie Stevenson, pushed in for the final one yard and the score. With 6:11 left in the first, the Seminoles took their first lead of the game, 21-14.
USF went three and out on their next try, which gave the Seminoles a chance to build on their lead. They wasted no time in doing so. Stevenson took a handoff 13 yards on second and ten, setting up first down on the FSU 45. Francois would then find junior receiver, Travis Rudolph, and Cook for 14 and 11 yard passes, respectively. Senior receiver, Jesus Wilson, would take a Francois pass three plays later for a 13 yard touchdown score. With less than thirty seconds left in the first quarter, FSU expanded their lead, 28-14.
The Bulls opened up the second quarter with another three and out. A strong punt set up the Seminoles deep in their own territory, and that proved enough to keep them from getting a first down, as well. On their fifth possession of the game, FSU was finally forced to punt for the first time.
USF would have some success on their next drive, but back to back penalties forced them away from their midfield position to punt from their own territory. FSU would drive effectively inside the USF five yard line on their next try, but back to back running plays were stuffed before Francois was sacked on third down. They would settle for a field goal and go up 31-14 with 7:04 remaining in the first half.
The opportunity to narrow the scoring gap was blown, however, when Flowers threw an interception the next play. Sophomore defensive back, Tarvarus McFadden, made the grab. The Bulls’ defense would hold, though, and force the Seminoles to punt for just the second time in the game.
Florida State would break the scoring fast with another big drive. Sophomore running back, Jacques Patrick, started things off with a 22 run to the USF 23. Two plays later, Francois hit Wilson for a 21 yard pass completion. Stevenson capped off the drive with a one yard touchdown run with 1:18 left in the second quarter.
USF would make some noise on their next possession, moving the ball with ease into FSU territory. With second and ten on the FSU 18 and 11 seconds on the clock, Flowers was not able to make a play, taking a sack with four seconds remaining. Going into the halftime break, the Seminoles were leading big, 38-14.
FSU got the ball first in the second half. They were making strong progress to midfield when a sack by junior linebacker, Auggie Sanchez, forced Francois to fumble the ball. While the official ruling was down by contact, a review of the play reversed the call. It would not be a factor, however, as Flowers would throw his second interception of the game to senior defensive back, Nate Andrews.
Unlike the Bulls, FSU would capitalize on their turnover, driving 95 yards for the Patrick two yard touchdown score. Big plays on the drive included a 27 yard run by Patrick, a 15 yard run by Cook, and an 18 yard scramble by Francois. FSU lead 45-14 with 7:07 left in the third quarter.
The next two possessions resulted in a three and out for both teams. The next action on offense resulted in a scoring drive by USF. With third and three from his own 17 yard line, Flowers scrambled for a 48 yard run, setting up first and down on the FSU 35. Two plays later, junior running back, D’Ernest Johnson, rushed for 24 yards and the touchdown, narrowing the FSU lead to 45-21.
The Seminoles settled for a field goal on their first possession of the fourth quarter to go up 48-21. The Bulls would answer on their next opportunity, scoring on a four yard Johnson run. With 10:21 remaining in the game, the Seminoles led, 48-28.
A 53 yard kickoff return by senior receiver, Kermit Whitfield, gave FSU the ball at the USF 43. Three plays later, Francois would scramble 35 yards for the touchdown that would put them up, 55-28.
The Bulls would score again to bring their total to a more face-saving 35 points when Johnson rushed for two yards with 7:39 left in the period. Having won convincingly already, the Seminoles ran out the rest of the clock without scoring again.
The Florida State offense did whatever they wanted with the Bulls. Cook, who had been struggling this season, had a great day, racking up 267 yards and two touchdowns. Three other Seminoles scored rushing touchdowns on a day that USF could not stop the run. Stevenson had two rushing touchdowns, Francois and Patrick each had one.
In such a high scoring game, Francois’ passing numbers are very conservative. He had just one touchdown on 169 yards passing, which is almost identical to losing quarterback Flowers, who had a touchdown and 160 yards through the air. Wilson logged the only receiving touchdown of the game for the Seminoles.
Individually, Johnson had a solid day, running for 82 yards and three touchdowns. Flowers actually lead the team with 159 rushing yards. FSU was clearly ready for Mack, who had just 42 yards and one touchdown. Flowers’ one passing touchdown was to Adams, who had 84 receiving yards.
FSU moves to 3-1 on the season and in the all-time series with USF. Currently ranked 13th, many will say they have been redeemed from their embarrassment at the hands of Louisville, last week. They will host North Carolina next Saturday.
For the Bulls, who also sit at 3-1, there are a lot of questions. They will hit the road to visit Cincinnati a week from today.