FSU football: 5 major takeaways from win over Louisville

No. 4 FSU football (13-0) clinched its first ACC Championship since the 2014 season with a 16-6 dominant defensive performance over the No. 14 Louisville Cardinals (10-3).

There are many impressive things about the win. Louisville is one of the best teams nationally, well-balanced, and good in all three phases. FSU had to play with its third-string quarterback, and casual fans wouldn’t know this, but several offensive players are playing hurt.

However, FSU does what FSU does, and that’s find ways to win by any means necessary. I expected FSU’s defense to play well, as I only predicted Louisville to score 20 points in my pre-game prediction(given before I knew Tate Rodemaker wouldn’t play).

However, I’m one of the biggest Adam Fuller supporters, and even I wasn’t expecting that level of dominance against a Jeff Brohm offense.

I thought Mike Norvell did a great job showing patience with the young signal caller. FSU indeed caught a couple of breaks from passes that likely should have been intercepted. However, it takes some luck to win championships at different points in the season.

I’m so very proud of this team, and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite FSU teams of all time. Here are five major takeaways from the win over Louisville.

Defense Set The Tone Early

I knew Louisville was a team that scored most of their points this season in the first half of games. My thinking was if FSU could get the game to halftime and only be down 10 points or less, they’d have a shot to win the game since they’ve performed well in the second half in most games.

However, when FSU defensive tackle Braden Fiske blew by a Louisville offensive lineman and annihilated a Louisville running back for a big loss on the second play of the game? I knew it was going to be tough sledding for the Louisville offense.

That physical play, throwing the Louisville player to the ground like a ragged doll was foreshadowing.

Fiske led all FSU defensive players with nine tackles and three sacks. I don’t think Louisville expected that level of physicality early from FSU. FSU fans like to complain about Adam Fuller’s defenses in the first half.

Well, they got three-and-outs early and often. I think that allowed Mike Norvell to call the game he called offensively.

Brock Glenn

I know many FSU fans have wanted to see more Brock Glenn. They all rallied behind him when it was apparent he would be the starter.

However, the expectations for the young man were through the roof for some reason. I thought it was clear from the limited time he’s played that the game was still moving way too fast for him.

That proved true Saturday night. He held the ball too long, missed open receivers(they did him no favors on a couple of throws), and threw some errant passes that probably should have been picked off.

I think it’s clear he’s nowhere near ready to run the offense, but he showed heart and did what he could to help lead the team.

I hope fans understand the game isn’t a video game. You can’t insert a guy because he looks confident, and expect him to play anywhere close to Jordan Travis. Think of how long it took Jordan Travis to develop, and Glenn missed several weeks with a hand injury.

I know some fans wanted Mike Norvell to chunk the ball vertically or force the ball to the receivers more when the run game wasn’t working.

However, Mike Norvell knows what Glenn’s limitations were as a passer. He knew the defense was playing at a high level, and smartly chose to limit the opportunities where Glenn could make a major mistake.

Glenn has a lot of talent and will likely develop into a player, but Tate Rodemaker gives the Noles the best chance to win when healthy.

Ryan Fitzgerald

Can we talk about the journey of Ryan Fitzgerald? Fitzgerald made a 45-yard field goal to give the Noles a 3-0 lead early in the second quarter. He barely missed a 45-yard field goal near the end of the second half.

However, he rebounded to put the game away with a 33-yard field goal with 3:13 remaining.

These field goal attempts were all pressure filled moments in a game where everyone knew points would be hard to come by.

The first field goal gave a sigh of relief to FSU fans. The feeling of finally having the lead with the offense looking so limited gave hope they’d get it together as the game went on.

The second field goal was huge because there was still a ton of time left on the clock. If Fitzgerald had missed that kick, Louisville would have over three minutes left to attempt to engineer a game-tying touchdown drive.

It was a shorter kick, but one that make it a two-possession game if he makes it. I think back to last year when we didn’t know if the extra-point was automatic. It’s great to see him continuing to excel after all he’s overcome.

Lawrance Toafili

Lawrance Toafili is the epitome of what this FSU football program is about. He’s been here since day one and done nothing but help this football team win games. If they need a threat in the passing game from the running back position?

Toafili was the guy. If they need someone to spell Trey Benson and make something happen in the running game? Toafili was the guy.

However, Toafili stepped into a role that used to be reserved for Treshaun Ward, who has since departed.

Toafili taking direct snaps with Brock Glenn positioned out wide changed the football game. His 70+ yard scamper in the third quarter, followed by his touchdown run put major pressure on Louisville’s offense.

It was the first touchdown(and only one) scored in the game. Louisville hadn’t been able to do much until that point, and it gave FSU fans the feeling they would win the game.

Toafili finished with 10 carries and 118 rushing yards. He averaged 11.8 yards per rush and gave the spark FSU needed when the offense stalled.

Elite Defense

I said it after the LSU game. A lot of FSU football fans owe Adam Fuller an apology. All I’ve heard is they haven’t played many good offenses, aside from LSU. Well, they limited that LSU offense more than any other team by far.

Louisville doesn’t have a dynamic QB, but Jeff Brohm’s offense was a top-25 offense, averaging well over 30+ points per game.

FSU allowed six points, and 188 total yards. They averaged 2.68 yards per play and were 3 of 18 on third downs. FSU stopped them on a fourth and short and prevented a score when FSU started a drive on the FSU 12-yard line after a mishandled punt.

FSU finished the game with seven sacks and 14 tackles for a loss. Louisville came into the game allowing about two sacks and 4-5 tackles for a loss.

FSU completely dominated the line of scrimmage, swarmed to the ball and was the more physical team all night. As I said, Braden Fiske set the tone on the second play of the game.

Jared Verse and Patrick Payton were incredible and multiple tackles for a loss. It’s arguably the most dominant FSU defensive performance in the last two decades.

Parting Thoughts

It’s hard not to love this team. They give you everything they have every game. They have overcome so much adversity and injuries to get to this point.

They have one of the best resumes among the teams in the top 10.

Louisville was the eighth bowl-eligible team they’ve beaten. FSU has beaten three teams ranked in the current top 25. They absolutely should remain in the top four of the College Football Playoff.

The good news? FSU will have a few weeks to prepare for whoever their opponent will be. That should give time for the guys that are dealing with some injuries adn bumps and bruises to heal up. Defensive tackle Darrell Jackson will be available to play in their next game.

Tate Rodemaker should be cleared to play by then, and Brock Glenn will continue to get reps to develop. It’s a great time to be a Nole fan.

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