Rapid Reaction: Florida State 37 Citadel 12

There’s two major story-lines coming out of tonight’s game. On one hand, the starters looked solid in routing Citadel 37-12.

The starting offense scored on every possession, the starting defense pitched a shut-out. It was the kind of effort fans came to expect from last year’s national title team.

But on the other hand, three defensive linemen — Eddie Goldman, Justin Shanks and Nile Lawrence-Stample — were knocked out of the game with lower-leg injuries. Depending on the severity of those injuries, it’s possible not much else about this game will matter in the long-run.

Goldman and Lawrence-Stample are both starters and in order for the Seminoles to accomplish what they’ve set out to do this year, Florida State will need both to be healthy. Goldman — a former five-star recruit who started every game last season — could be the bigger loss. He was carted to the locker-room following a 4th down stand on the very first series of the game. He returned to the Florida State sideline wearing a boot in the second half.

In fact, on three consecutive drives the Seminoles lost defensive tackles. All three were lost for the game. It’s possible all three could be lost for much longer.

If that’s the case, even despite the final result it would seem Florida State lost far more than they gained tonight.

As for the game itself, Jameis Winston turned in a solid night, going 22 of 27 for 256 yards and a couple of touchdown passes. He led FSU on scoring drives on all six of his possessions, though he left the game after settling for two straight field goals and appeared to be arguing with Jimbo Fisher on the sideline at the end of his night.

Before anyone blows that out of proportion– this is not abnormal for Fisher and Winston. The pair shares a unique dynamic, they argue, they jaw with one another and they rarely back down in the heat of the moment. By Monday this will all be behind them.

The game also saw some true freshmen making their marks for the first time in Garnet and Gold as well. Dalvin Cook was impressive, rushing for 67 yards on 13 carries while also scoring his first career TD. And Ermon Lane also got in on the act with three receptions for 37 yards.

All in all, the offense totaled 494 yards and scored pretty much at will throughout the night.

Defensively, Florida State did struggle with gap control again at times and there were some third down issues. But overall, the starters were able to keep Citadel off the scoreboard — the Bulldogs’ first score came against the reserves in the fourth quarter — and managed to avoid collecting any stupid penalties.

Keep in mind, when you’re playing an option offense and you’re getting cut on every single play, tempers can flare and emotions can spike. It may not seem like much, but the fact FSU kept its cool — even as numerous players were injured on cut blocks — shows maturity from the defense.

But again, all of that comes second to the injuries sustained by FSU’s starting defensive tackles.

FSU has a lot of talent behind them, but not much experience. And if either of the injuries is serious, Florida State could be in trouble.

Statistical Leaders:

Passing: Jameis Winston (22/27, 256, 2TD)
Rushing: Dalvin Cook (13-67, TD)
Receiving: Rashad Greene (4-80)