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FSU Football: ‘Noles survive Duke for their second win of the season

By Kelvin Hunt

TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 7: Running back Cam Akers #3 of the Florida State Seminoles carries the ball as defensive back Jaquan Johnson #4 of the Miami Hurricanes tries to tackle him during the first half of an NCAA football game at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 7: Running back Cam Akers #3 of the Florida State Seminoles carries the ball as defensive back Jaquan Johnson #4 of the Miami Hurricanes tries to tackle him during the first half of an NCAA football game at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /
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FSU football responded with a gutsy win over Duke after falling to Miami last week.

1st Half

FSU football went to Durham, NC, in big need of a win against a very average Duke team and got it. The ‘Noles took the ball first and scored a touchdown on its first possession for the first time all season.

Quarterback James Blackman looked much more comfortable in the offense and with Fisher moving the pocket with rollouts and using him on a couple of run plays

Cam Akers and Jacques Patrick had some extremely physical runs on the first drive as it was capped with a touchdown pass to Auden Tate.

The FSU defense forced a punt the first time on the field, but still had glaring errors which reared their heads later in the form of poor tackling and failing to lineup properly.

The ‘Noles offense marched down the field on their second possession, but it ended in an interception on a miscommunication between Blackman and Nyqwan Murray.

Duke took the turnover and turned it into points with a field goal. That’s basically when the offense stopped in the first half as both teams failed to put much together.

The ‘Noles averaged 7.06 yards per play on offense with the defense allowing 4.46 yards per play. The ‘Noles had five penalties for 35 yards and Duke was not penalized the entire half.

FSU missed a couple of opportunities to be up double digits and settled for a 7-3 lead at halftime.

2nd Half

The FSU defense forced a punt on Duke’s first possession the FSU offense managed a field goal on the ensuing possession. However, it was a wasted opportunity for the ‘Noles as they should have had a touchdown. They went 88 yards on 11 plays that drive to go up 10-3.

Charles Kelly then allowed the Duke offense to go right back down the field and score a touchdown in 2:42 to tie the game at 10-10. The FSU secondary looked completely lost at times.

James Black threw an interception on a rollout play just like last week against Miami, but the FSU defense was able to miraculously get a stop and force a punt.

The ‘Noles responded with a huge TD drive from their own 9 yard line. The drive was capped by a 42 yard touchdown run by Cam Akers.

The teams then traded punts the rest of the game with the FSU offense failing to run the clock out and giving Duke two extra offensive possessions. Duke was marching down the field on their final drive, but the defense was able to make enough plays for time to run out.

James Blackman finished 18 of 21 for 197 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Cam Akers was the leading rusher with 115 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown.

Next: Blackman and Akers Give FSU Hope For The Future

Jacques Patrick had some big physical runs for 98 yards on 18 carries.

The ‘Noles move to (2-3) on the season and at least didn’t fold after losing to Miami last week.

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