FSU Football: Evaluating the true freshmen against NC State

After FSU football’s big win against NC State on Saturday, Chop Chat’s Sam Tschida looks at how the true freshmen played against the Wolfpack.

For the first time in a long time, the FSU Football got a comfortable victory over an ACC opponent. After falling behind 3-6 early, the ‘Noles scored the next 24 points en route to a big 31-13 win. Once again, the true freshmen of #Tribe19 had a big impact on the game. Let’s breakdown their performance.

Offense

Once again, the only true freshmen who got playing time on offense was guard Dontae Lucas. Although he started the first three games, Lucas once again did not start this week, although he did receive playing time against the Wolfpack.

Like the rest of the offensive line, Lucas didn’t have the best day against NC State. The PFF grades have yet to come out, but it’s safe to say that the o-line will not grade out well. They gave up eight sacks, and only paved the way for 104 non-sack rushing yards. While all the sacks were not their fault, it was a major step backward for the rebuilding o-line.

There were positives to take away from the hogs though, the big touchdown run in the fourth that sealed the game, seen below.

The line does a great job here, but watch #55, Lucas. He starts out with the double team on the nose tackle, and then works his way to the middle linebacker, who he clears out of the lane, paving the way for a Cam Akers touchdown. Not a great day from Lucas overall, but he did a great job on this play.

Defense

More so than in previous weeks, the true freshmen made a major impact on defense, due to injuries to some of the starters.

Akeem Dent once again received, even more, playing time this week, statistically having the best game of his young career. He recorded three stops and two passes defended, including this pass break up late in the fourth.

He did drop an interception, but Dent seems to grow more and more comfortable every week.

Elsewhere in the secondary, both Brendan Gant and Renardo Green received significant playing time. Green recorded a tackle and had himself a nice pass breakup in the fourth, while Gant didn’t record any stats but saw time on special teams.

DB Raymond Woodie once again only saw action on special teams but did not record any stats. In the front seven, Jaleel McRae once again saw significant playing time and stayed aggressive, but did not record any stats.

Defensive tackle Tru Thompson once again saw playing time in relief of Robert Cooper (who has been having an excellent season) and did a good job of plugging up blockers and allowing linebackers to run free. Unselfish play from Thompson has become a common theme.

Bottom Line

The true freshman class of 2019 continues to receive a lot of playing time for FSU, and along with the rest of the team, seems to improve every week. They get a week to rest before traveling up to South Carolina to take on the #1 Clemson Tigers in two weeks.