FSU Football: ‘Noles beat Louisiana Monroe and will go bowling

FSU football will keep their consecutive bowl streak intact with their win over Louisiana-Monroe.

FSU football got off to a great start in the post-Jimbo Fisher era with a 42-10 win over Louisiana-Monroe. The game was supposed to be played in the second week of the season but had to be re-scheduled due to Hurricane Irma.

Interim coach Odell Haggins got his first career win.

The ‘Noles led 14-0 at the half on 35 offensive plays that averaged 6.17 yards per play. The defense allowed 4.55 yards per play in the first half against an offense ranked top 15 by S&P metrics.

True freshman DJ Matthews got his first career receiving touchdown.

FSU football took their first offensive possession in the second half down for a touchdown. A 75 yard drive on six plays with Cam Akers scoring on a four yard run, but the big play of the drive was a 45 yard scamper by Jacques Patrick.

Louisiana-Monroe tried to make a game of it as they scored a field goal on their first offensive possession in the second half. James Blackman’s second interception of the day gave the Warhawks great field position with seven minutes to go in the third quarter.

The Warhawks cashed in on the opportunity with a touchdown to close the gap to 21-10 with 4:51 left in the third quarter.

However, the ‘Noles answered with a touchdown in less than a minute and a half on a 24 yard run by Cam Akers. The drive was set up with a huge kickoff return by Amir Rasul.

FSU continued to lean on the run game and pushed the lead to 35-10 with 12:50 left. The drive was set up by a nice punt return by DJ Matthews with Jacques Patrick scoring on a two yard run.

All the players gave good effort on the day and seemed to have fun out there. The players gave Odell Haggins a Powerade bath to celebrate the win. They also carried offensive line coach Rick Trickett off the field on their shoulders.

Next: Did Messy Ending Tarnish Jimbo Fisher's Legacy at FSU?

The future looks bright as lots of freshman showed flashes of great play. FSU football ultimately won the game 42-10 to keep their consecutive bowl streak alive at 36 games to lead the nation.