FSU football: Noles destroy No. 5 LSU in season opener

FSU football left no doubt against No. 5 LSU in 2023 with a 45-24 win. It was a sloppy game in the first half, with FSU getting penalized six times for 59 yards and LSU not receiving any penalties. FSU trailed 17-14 at halftime.

It was lopsided, but I felt FSU would be fine if the offense could find some consistency. The defense played well in the first half, aside from a few coverage busts and Jayden Daniels using his legs to get chunk yardage.

The forced a turnover on downs twice and gave the offense chances to do damage. One key play in the first half was LSU muffing another punt, and the FSU offense failing to take advantage, throwing an interception on the first play of that possession to give the ball back to LSU. However, the second half was all FSU.

The Noles scored on every offensive possession except the final one to run out the clock. Ryan Fitzgerald connected on a 33-yard field goal to tie the game 17-17, and FSU would rattle off 31 unanswered points in the second half.

I think LSU fans should take my video below more serious now. I tried to tell’em!

Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson had over 100 receiving yards, with Coleman hauling in three touchdowns. Jordan Travis finished the game 22 of 31 for 342 yards, with three touchdowns and one interceptions. He also had seven rushes for 38 yards and one touchdown. I think the key to the game in the second half was FSU getting back to running the ball.

They threw 21 passes in the first half and only 11 rushes. However, they established the run game in the third quarter, and that opened up the passing even more.

Newcomer Jaheim Bell had two receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown. He had the final touchdown run to put the exclamation mark, trucking a LSU defender in the end zone.

The FSU defense didn’t allow a score until the reserves went in with under two minutes left in the game. It was a heck of a second half by the Noles and they put all of college football on notice.