FSU Halftime Reaction: FSU 24 Syracuse 6

The game between Florida State and Syracuse is at the half, here’s some FSU halftime reaction:

Florida State’s offense has shown up in a big way early on up in New York. FSU’s defense? It’s still a work in progress.

The Seminoles took the ball first and marched right down the field for an opening drive touchdown and the Seminoles haven’t slowed down much since. Despite all of the controversy that’s been drummed up lately surrounding Jameis Winston, FSU’s redshirt sophomore QB has been excellent in the first half. The Florida State offense has absolutely hummed as Winston has thrown two touchdown passes and has been on the money all day.

FSU currently leads 24-6 at the half and the offense looks in control.

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Mario Pender looked good early too. In fact, with Karlos Williams out this week, Pender was making a case for why he should be the every day starter. Pender is a classic example of why looking at players on paper just doesn’t work. On paper, Williams is bigger, stronger and faster. On the field, Pender has better vision and makes better cuts. Williams may be more lethal on a well-executed stretch play, but Pender is showing he’s better between the tackles.

Unfortunately, Pender went down with what looked to be a leg injury in the middle of the second quarter. After taking a handoff Pender appeared to plant and then stumbled forward a bit. He lost the ball — Syracuse recovered on the FSU 16 — and had to be helped off the field.

With Williams down and Pender gimpy, it looks like freshman Dalvin Cook will get the lion’s share of the work in the second half. Sophomore Ryan Green is also available.

Rashad Greene has tied Ron Sellers’ all-time FSU record for receptions while Nick O’Leary — with his 22-yard TD reception in the second quarter — has set a new Florida State record for touchdowns by a tight end.

Defensively, FSU has bent but not broken.

Syracuse can move the ball. The Orange aren’t dictating the pace and tempo, but they sure are capable of pushing it down the field from time to time– typically on third downs.

Syracuse’s first drive ended on a Jalen Ramsey interception down inside the Florida State redzone. But the Orange moved the ball the length of the field for a field goal on their second drive and tacked on three more following Pender’s fumble in the second quarter. Then, at the end of the half, the Orange had a chance to score a TD but failed to convert inside the redzone again (a recurring theme for the Orange).

All in all, give FSU’s defensive interior a pass as a result of the decision to rest Derrick Mitchell. With Mitchell and freshman DT Demarcus Christmas out, the middle of the D-line was going to give up a little bit in the run game. It’s Syracuse’s ability to break contain and extend plays in the air that has been troubling.

But, the Seminoles are in control of this one. Look for the back-ups to make their way in sometime in the fourth quarter as FSU rests its starters for Notre Dame next week.

Statistical Leaders:

Passing: Jameis Winston (16/19, 181 2TD)
Rushing: Mario Pender (7-29, TD)
Receiving: Rashad Greene (3-58)

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