FSU Tops Syracuse to Remain Undefeated

Recapping FSU’s victory over the Orange in Syracuse.

The No. 1 Florida State Seminoles extended the nation’s longest winning streak today, downing the Syracuse Orange by a score of 38-20 to secure their 22nd-straight victory. A rather fragmented game continually stopped by minor injuries and penalties, FSU improved to 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the ACC, and is, at the moment, undisputably in the college football playoff.

After all, the Seminoles haven’t lost a game. Today, they showed why. They also showed why there’s concern about how long that’ll be true.

Defensive Questions 

The first number that will jump out at most ‘Noles is the number of points registered by Syracuse. What’s unnerving for FSU? There should have been more. Florida State’s red-zone defense came up big all day, but the Orange left some points out there: they threw an interception after marching the ball down the field and were able to run right at — and pass right over — Florida State regularly.

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Somewhat uncharacteristically, the Florida State secondary played rather uninspired. Syracuse’s Steve Ishmael torched P.J. Williams for 93 yards and a pair of scores, as the ‘Nole DBs were often a step slow or just out of position and Syracuse’s two inexperienced QBs, Austin Wilson and AJ Long, compiled 256 yards through the air. Yes, FSU plucked three interceptions, but they weren’t the shutdown unit many thought they’d be coming into the season.

But that’s not all on them, either. The D-line did not generate anywhere near enough pressure. And gap accountability is an issue once again, as are tackling miscues. Part of that is youth: after a notable breakout game against Wake Forest, freshman Lorenzo Featherston’s discipline issues cost FSU on several occasions, and, other than Eddie Goldman, the line had a rather forgettable day.

The Offense Clicks

On the other side of the ball, for the first time since the ‘Noles got off to a 17-0 lead over Oklahoma State in the season opener, the offense looked sharp early in this one. Amid the noise caused by yet another national article drawing attention to the embattled Jameis Winston (along with several of his teammates as well), Winston played his best game of the season.

Winston was perfect on the Seminoles’ first scoring drive that culminated in a Mario Pender TD run. At the half, he was 16-19 with two scores and he finished 30-36 for 317 yards with three TDs. With few exceptions, Winston was his old surgical self, which, of course, includes finding Nick O’Leary early and often. The senior tight end has been a bit of an afterthought this year, but he had a big day today, hauling in eight balls for 97 yards and a highlight-reel TD grab.

And any questions about running back depth were more than answered. Pender flashed very nicely and scored the first two FSU touchdowns, and when he pulled up lame in the second quarter, Dalvin Cook looked just as impressive, running skinny through the first level and displaying effortless acceleration on the edge. The freshman finished with his first career 100-yard game, registering 122 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.

On the outside, freshman receiver Travis Rudolph separated himself from his cohorts a bit, working tunnel screens down the field with moves reminiscent of Peter Warrick– the ‘Noles look to have a phenom in No. 15.

But if Rudolph is the rising star, the ascension of another continued today as well. Rashad Greene re-wrote the Florida State record books, passing Ron Sellers for the most career catches in FSU history. Jesus “Bobo” Wilson continued his role a capable second WR, snagging a TD, too.

No More Tune-Ups

A few weeks ago, the Seminoles needed a yeoman-like effort to comeback and survive NC State in Raleigh. After that, a collective exhalation emanated from ‘Nole Nation. Wake Forest was coming to town. Syracuse would be a cake walk. There was ample time to iron out some problematic issues before a real test.

Well. Monday begins Notre Dame week. We’ll learn a lot about this team on Saturday night in Tallahassee.