FSU football: Noles fall short against NC State Wolfpack

FSU football played the NC State game without starting quarterback Jordan Travis and came up short in a 28-14 loss. McKenzie Milton started the game after not playing since the Louisville game, and it looked like it was in the first half.

The Noles didn’t score in the first half, and the effort from the defense was the only reason the score wasn’t 30-0 at halftime. Mike Norvell gambled on the second-half kickoff with an onside kick, and the Noles recovered.

That play seemed to spark the offense as they scored their first touchdown of the day on that possession. The defense allowed a touchdown with some poor effort tackling on the next possession to make it a 21-7 score.

However, the FSU offense responded with their second touchdown on their next possession to close the gap to 21-14. The FSU offense had their chances as the defense forced three consecutive punts, but Mike Norvell’s decision to go for it on fourth and four on the FSU 43-yard line probably was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

It was a dumb decision after the defense forced punts on the previous three possessions, and NC State scored a touchdown on three plays to make it 28-14. The other tale of the game was the FSU offense not doing anything whatsoever in the first half and NC State scoring long touchdowns because FSU gave poor effort and missed tackles on 2-3 individual plays.

NC State consistently forced the FSU offense to drive long fields with their punter landing several punts inside the 10-yard line. Milton finished the game 22 of 44 for 233 yards with one touchdown and an interception.

The FSU run game was non-existent, with Jashaun Corbin leading the way with 33 rushing yards and one touchdown. Keyshawn Helton led FSU receivers with four receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown. The Noles will host Miami next week.