FSU football: 5 keys to defeating Louisville Cardinals
By Kelvin Hunt
Get Off The Field On Third Downs
I expect Louisville to take a page from the Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes. They run the ball 57 percent of their plays and like to stay in third and manageable situations.
It also shortens the game and helps to keep the FSU offense off the field. That facet was an important factor in the Gators building a 12-0 lead early in the first half last week.
The FSU defense failed to get off the field on a couple of third and long situations, and that kept the clock rolling, which only allowed the FSU offense to run three plays in the first quarter.
That drive was killed by a poor decision by Trey Benson after missing a cutback lane.
FSU made some adjustments and limited the Gator’s running game, especially in the second half. Florida only scored three points in the second half and four consecutive three and outs to end the game.
Louisville converts third downs 39 percent, and FSU allows third down conversions 30 percent of the time against Power 5 competition.