FSU Tops UVA on Homecoming

The No. 2 Florida State Seminoles dispatched of the Virginia Cavaliers 34-20 in front of a sold-out Homecoming crowd at Doak Campbell Stadium Saturday night. Once again, FSU fell behind early, but was able to come back and down the ‘Hoos on the strength of some big defensive plays and a record-setting individual performance from Rashad Greene.

Another Winston Slow Start

After a great Mario Edwards hit gave FSU the ball deep in UVA territory on the Seminoles’ second possession, the ‘Noles kept it on the ground to go up 7-0 on the first of two Karlos Williams TD runs. The next two FSU drives, however, ended in interceptions from Jameis Winston (giving the Hesiman Trophy winner five picks in the last two games). The first was on freshman receiver Travis Rudolph, into whom Jimbo Fisher lit on the sideline. The second may have been defensive pass interference, but was nevertheless another case of Winston attempting to force the ball to tight end Nick O’Leary.

Virginia capitalized on the Seminole mistakes, turning each pick into six after driving down a shortened field. FSU cornerback P.J. Williams was victimized on each catch, both of which were quite impressive. Once again, Florida State found itself trailing, down 13-7 after the second UVA extra point banged off the upright.

Winston finished the first quarter just 5-11 for 50 yards and two picks. He didn’t get a lot of help, as Jesus “Bobo” Wilson dropped some very catchable balls. No ‘Nole other than Greene caught a pass until the second quarter, in fact. How much did Winston rely on Greene in this one? The latter hauled in a whopping 13 receptions, a single-game career high. Only four Seminoles registered catches: Greene (13), Wilson (5), Ermon Lane (2), and Karlos Williams (2).

Big Defensive Plays Key Comeback

Edwards didn’t have any trouble getting started– or finishing off Cavaliers. In a game that saw FSU return several linebackers from injury, the junior had a monster game, finishing with a team-high nine tackles, four tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a sack.

One of those returning linebackers was Terrance Smith, who jumped a route and came up with a key pick in the second quarter to stem the UVA momentum. The turnover set up the Seminoles on the Cavs’ three yard-line, and a play later, Williams followed Tre’ Jackson into the end zone to recapture the FSU lead at 14-13.

Eddie Goldman looked to have his first touchdown as well, only to have it taken away by an incorrect call. Goldman scooped and scored on an incomplete swing pass in the second quarter, but the throw was deemed a forward pass on the field. Officials overturned the call, but the ‘Noles were awarded possession, not the result of the play.

FSU extended its lead on the very next play on Winston’s 22-yard touchdown pass to Greene, giving Florida State its second touchdown in 11 seconds, each spawned by an opportune defensive play. The ‘Noles led 28-13 at the half.

Grinding it Out

The second half lacked any real rhythm. After a few punts opened play, Dalvin Cook was injured and fumbled on the same play, giving UVA excellent field position. They mimicked FSU’s first-half opportunism, as Greyson Lambert tossed a 23-yard scoring pass to Canaan Severin on the next play, closing the gap to 28-20. Cook put very little, if any weight on his right leg while being helped off the field.

Cook’s health will be a concern moving forward, as running back health is certainly an issue for the ‘Noles. Ryan Green didn’t suit up for this one, and although he practiced this week, Mario Pender looked tentative. Fisher said Pender was “available” for this game, but as I expected, he didn’t see the field.

More from Chop Chat

A pair of third-quarter Roberto Aguayo field goals (one of which bounced through off the upright) sealed the scoring, as FSU avenged its 2011 Homecoming defeat to the ‘Hoos by sending them home with a loss.

Guess Who’s Next…

Florida State now turns its attention to, historically, its most bitter rival: the Miami Hurricanes. The ‘Canes will host the ‘Noles in primetime next Saturday night.

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