FSU football: Grading our 5 keys to defeating LSU segment
By Kelvin Hunt
![Sep 25, 2004; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles mascot Chief Osceloa and the FSU horse Renegade.Mandatory Credit: Preston Mack-USA TODAY Sports(©) Copyright 2004 by Preston Mack Sep 25, 2004; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles mascot Chief Osceloa and the FSU horse Renegade.Mandatory Credit: Preston Mack-USA TODAY Sports(©) Copyright 2004 by Preston Mack](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/95228a7d705dae2c55b80e20f8e4fbf27d591f021bad9202cf7f784af8d06c7f.jpg)
Win Hidden Yardage Game
Well, the game didn’t start on the best note when Ryan Fitzgerald shanked the opening kickoff out of bounds to give LSU a great field position at their 40-yard line.
That offensive possession ended in a field goal for LSU. Fitzgerald kicked a second kickoff out of bounds that ended with a blocked field goal I believe.
That’s two self-inflicted penalties that could have cost FSU dearly. However, when Fitzgerald kicked the ball in bounds and there was a return, the FSU kickoff coverage was excellent, stopping LSU before the 20-yard line on both returns.
Related Story. Former Players React To FSU Win Over LSU. light
FSU punt coverage was great as LSU muffed both punts, and FSU recovered them for great field position. FSU kickoff returns were better than the Duquense game, averaging 22.5 yards per return, and they fair caught at least one to get the ball at the 25-yard line.
LSU punted twice, one was a shank out of bounds, and the other was a fair catch. Aside from the two kickoffs out of bounds, FSU easily won the hidden yardage battle, which was huge in the game.
Grade-A