Thoughts From the Morning After: FSU 42 Louisville 31

Oct 30, 2014; Louisville, KY, USA; Florida State Seminoles tight end Nick O’Leary (35) tackles Louisville Cardinals linebacker James Burgess (13) after an interception a during the second quarter at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

This and That

• Lorenzo Featherston is a pass-rushing wunderkind but by this point it’s clear he struggles to play the run. There’s nothing wrong with being one dimensional — especially when your one dimension is that dynamic — as a true freshman. But Featherston is going to need to develop his skills against the run if he wants to assume a more regular role in the defense going forward.
• FSU’s linebacking corps is so incredibly depleted that a walk-on — one who did not appear on the roster — was in the game at one point last night. Terrance Smith was a late scratch with a pec injury, Jacob Pugh was out, Ukeme Eligwe was out. FSU is fortunate to have a few extra days off to get healthy before Virginia comes to town next weekend.
• Speaking of getting healthy, Jameis Winston and Jimbo Fisher said little of the ankle injury that hobbled Winston throughout the second half. Winston hurt the ankle on a play in the third quarter in which he eluded the Cardinal pass rush just long enough to dish the ball to Dalvin Cook for a first down. He favored it the rest of the night. If anyone can use a few extra days off, it’s him.
• The interior of the offensive line continues to be a problem, Ryan Hoefeld is playing his best but his rapport with Josue Matias and Tre Jackson is clearly still growing and right now blitzing the middle is a surefire way to get in Jameis Winston’s face. If FSU can’t shore that up it may still be able to make it through the end of the season unbeaten, but that playoff is going to be brutal.
• Did anyone else see Nick O’Leary body slam a guy last night?
• Next up for FSU is Virginia, the game is set for a 6:30 PM kick next Saturday.