FSU football defeated the Duquesne Dukes 47-7 Saturday night to capture their first season-opening win since 2016.
The game featured an hour and a half lightning delay, but the Noles wasted no time getting to business once the game kicked off, scoring touchdowns on the first three drives and settling for field goals on the final two drives before the half. I think Mike Norvell would have gone for it on at least one of those fourth-down calls but wanted to allow the field goal unit to get in some work.
The offense had 638 yards, averaging 8.39 yards per play, and was 5 of 10 on third downs. The Noles ran the ball 54 times for 406 yards, with a heavy dose in the second half.
The Noles ran the ball 26 times against only seven passes once Jordan Travis came out of the game in the third quarter.
I think that was partly by design to keep the clock running but also because Tate Rodemaker didn’t look comfortable in the game(more on that later).
It’s a game we can’t put too much stock into, but I am pleased with the performance. Here are five takeaways from the game.
I always try to give a young man the benefit of the doubt. Tate Rodemaker was much like James Blackman as a freshman, playing way too early in his career when he wasn’t ready.
However, Rodemaker has had two full offseasons to learn the offense and still looks like a deer in headlights. He was two of six for 15 yards and an interception.
The latter was a ball thrown three feet behind the receiver because Rodemaker had poor footwork as a defender came toward him.
There was a broken play later where Rodemaker took the ball and ran towards the sideline and looked indecisive on whether he was going to try to improvise a pass or just run out of bounds. These things should not be happening with the time he’s had to get practice reps.
I know the media that attend practice talked about his progression, but either they lied, don’t know what they are looking at, or he simply can’t perform when the lights come on in games.
It’s probably a mixture of all those things, but if he can’t play well against someone like Duquesne? FSU fans have to pray Jordan Travis can avoid injuries.
Otherwise, Tate Rodemaker isn’t going to offer paths to victory.
Wide Receivers
FSU had six different wide receivers to catch passes Saturday night. That might be the first time no running backs or tight ends caught a pass in forever. However, Camren McDonald dropped a pass that hit him right in the hands, but I’ll give him a pass since he missed all of fall camp.
Who would have thought Deuce Spann would have more receptions and yards than Malik McClain in the first game a few months ago?
Kentron Poitier led all receivers with four receptions and 84 yards. He made two exceptional grabs that were all hands and a long of 48 yards. Johnny Wilson stretched the field vertically on the lone pass caught for 51 yards.
He exited the game after that catch with what looked like a rolled ankle. He had another one for a touchdown before that, but I couldn’t tell if he dropped it or if the defender got a hand in there.
Deuce Spann had a 20-yard pass that showed he can stretch the field some, but caught a couple of passes near the line of scrimmage and got upfield for yardage.
Mycah Pittman did what we thought he’d do, and Darion Williamson and Malik McClain had one reception each. McClain needs to turn it on if he wants to keep getting on the field because these other receivers looked the part Saturday night.
Running Game
I don’t want to hype them up too much because it was Duquense, but the FSU running game looked like it will be a problem for opposing defenses in 2022!
The first time FSU has ever had three 100-yard rushers in one game. Treshaun Ward ran like a guy possessed, breaking several tackles and spin moves for extra yards. Lawrance Toafili looked more explosive than before and hit one of the nastiest juke moves you’ll see.
There was one third down play that exhibited Toafili’s growth where he showed some patience and got upfield for the first down instead of trying to bounce the run outside.
Trey Benson proved why everyone was so high on him. Benson broke a gazillion tackles and housed a 43-yard run that showed acceleration that we haven’t seen in the FSU backfield in a while.
The offensive line opened some massive holes to run through, so credit to them, but the running backs also made something out of nothing a few times too.
One thing to consider is Jordan Travis only ran the ball four times, so this performance from the running backs was all them and the offensive line.
Rodney Hill didn’t look out of place as a freshman, running hard and averaging 6.1 yards per rush. I don’t expect FSU to run for 400 yards next week, but if they can establish a running game half as good? They’ll have a shot to go 2-0.
Defensive Ends/Pass Rush
I know some FSU fans expected more sacks from the defensive ends, but Duquesne only threw 17 passes, and most of those passes were quick to get the ball out quickly.
Jared Verse finally broke through for his first sack as a Nole late in the fourth quarter, but he and Derrick McLendon had several QB hurries in the game.
Those pressures were one reason Duquesne only converted 1 of 10 third downs. The Duquesne QB only completed 7 of 17 passes (41 percent), though his wide receivers did have a couple of drops.
There were a couple of times the defensive ends failed to set the edge in the run game. Dennis Briggs(and Amari Gainer at LB) crashing towards the middle allowed a big run around the end for one play I remember.
There was another play where Jared Verse didn’t do a good job setting the edge, which allowed a runner to get around the corner.
That’s something I’m not surprised to see from Verse, and I’m sure that’s something they’ll continue to coach him on. This position will be key next week against LSU with a mobile QB.
Jordan Travis Offensive Command
FSU football quarterback Jordan Travis looked like he was in total command of the offensive Saturday night. It might have been the most comfortable I’ve seen him.
I say that because almost all of his damage was done throwing the ball. He only ran four times (scoring a rushing TD), but finished the game 11 of 15 for 207 yards. He completed passes to all levels, including three beautifully thrown deep passes to Johnny Wilson, Deuce Spann, and Kentron Poitier.
Travis threw passes over the middle and seemed to have a nice connection with Kentron Poitier. There was one play Travis ran and took a hit where he should have slid. That decision might have been the worst one he had on the night.
He threw with confidence and gave opposing defensive coordinators something else to think about besides him running the ball. FSU will likely need his legs more next week against LSU, but his confidence in the pocket is a welcome sight.
It gives the FSU offense another dimension, and most teams on the schedule won’t be able to stack the box against the run. If we can get this version of Jordan Travis every week? FSU will win a lot of games in 2022.
Honorable Mention
FSU football still needs major improvement on special teams. Freshman Sam McCall literally ran into tackles on both opportunities FSU had to return kickoffs.
Duquesne punted eight times, and FSU only returned one for seven yards.
A couple of those punts were short with a low trajectory, so I give Mycah Pittman a pass for letting them hit the ground. One of them was out of bounds. However, maybe not line up so deep, so you don’t have to be in a full sprint to make those catches?
Also, FSU has to do a better job slowing up opposing gunners. Ryan Fitzgerald looked good on this two field goals and extra points.
The field goals were short, but he hit them cleanly, and they were right down the middle. Alex Mastramanno booted his lone punt for 52 yards and put it on the Dusquense five-yard line.
AJ Duffy looked more comfortable in the game than Tate Rodemaker, completing his lone attempt for 10 yards.
FSU only had five penalties for 55 yards, with a terrible call on the defensive pass interference against freshman Azareya’h Thomas.
The FSU defense allowed fewer than four yards per play and less than 200 total yards.
Good win, and let’s go get another one Sunday night against LSU!