FSU football: 3 reasons Noles defeated LSU Tigers

By Kelvin Hunt | Sep 5, 2022

TALLAHASSEE, FL - DECEMBER 2: A general view of a Florida State Seminoles Helmet on the field before the game against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on December 2, 2017 in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State defeated Louisiana Monroe 42 to 10. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

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Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports /

Third Down Conversions/Offensive Line

FSU football converted 11 of 17 third down conversion attempts (65 percent) against a “vaunted” LSU defense Sunday night.

The most impressive thing was that FSU overcame several situations where they got behind the chains with either a penalty or tackle for a loss allowed.

However, a combination of beautiful playcalling from Mike Norvell and the offensive line held up enough for Jordan Travis to make plays down the field with his wide receivers.

This aspect wasn’t something the FSU offense could have done last year because Jordan Travis hadn’t developed into the passer he is now, nor was the offensive line as deep and good. There were several times where Jordan Travis had a nice pocket to throw from Sunday night.

If FSU doesn’t convert those third downs at that clip, LSU likely begins several possessions with decent field position, and anything could have happened.

Those sustained drives also meant the LSU defense stayed on the field quite a bit and likely caused them to tire as the Noles scored on every possession in the second half except the last one.

Overall, FSU football possessed the ball for nearly nine minutes longer than LSU.

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