FSU Halftime Reaction: FSU 28 Virginia 13

The game between the Florida State Seminoles and Virginia Cavaliers has gone to intermission, here’s some FSU halftime reaction:

Another night, another slow start for Florida State.

It didn’t look that way at first. After punting on its first drive FSU forced a turnover deep in Virginia territory on the Cavaliers’ opening possession and scored three plays later. After just three minutes FSU was up by seven. Finally, this would be the game it all came together.

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But no, it turned out to be just a tease.

A pair of Jameis Winston interceptions quickly put Virginia up 13-7 — the Cavaliers missed an extra point — and once again the Seminoles found themselves trailing at the end of the first quarter.

But where FSU’s offense may not have sustained long drives so far tonight, it has been potent. FSU’s first three touchdowns took just a combined 59 seconds and five plays. FSU needed just 48 seconds and three plays on its first TD. Then the Seminoles scored on a three-yard Karlos Williams plunge following a Terrance Smith interception at the Virginia three and on a 22-yard touchdown pass to Rashad Greene following a fumble recovery.

It wasn’t until well into the second quarter that the Florida State offense actually scored on a drive that wasn’t set up by turnovers to go up 28-13.

All in all, FSU seems to have this game in hand at the moment. The Virginia offense isn’t going to have much luck driving the length of the field on FSU’s defense, so as long as the Seminoles avoid any more turnovers, they should be fine in this one.

Still, FSU’s offense — once again — has looked out of rhythm at points tonight. The game started with several drops from the receivers, Bobo Wilson in particular, and Jameis Winston has also been off on several passes himself.

Winston’s first INT was likely the result of a mistake by Travis Rudolph — who was taken to task by Jimbo Fisher on the sideline afterwards — but the second pick was purely Winston forcing a ball into coverage as he tried to get Nick O’Leary involved. O’Leary did a poor job of using his body to get between the defender — who deflected the ball into the air — and Winston’s pass, but that was more on the QB.

Frankly, the Florida State run game — with Dalvin Cook and Karlos Williams running the ball — has looked better than the passing attack for perhaps the first time all season.

Defensively, FSU has been aggressive on early downs — putting Virginia in plenty of third-and-long situations — but has been unable to consistently get off the field. This has been a problem before this season and it’s continued into tonight as the pass rush has failed to get to the quarterback in time and has left the secondary exposed several times.

PJ Williams is also having a tough game, both Cavaliers touchdowns came against the junior CB when he failed to get his head around and play the ball. He’s in good position, he just isn’t making the plays. You could see the frustration after the second TD.

But, FSU is in good position here, the offense has shown it can score and the defense has been able to do enough to keep Virginia out of the end zone — barring turnovers. Now the name of the game becomes putting Virginia away early and staying healthy in the second half. Miami is just a week away. The Hurricanes are off today, you can be sure they’re watching tonight.

From here on out the key for the Seminoles is playing it safe, playing it smart– and most of all, staying healthy.

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