FSU FOOTBALL LOSS
Florida State football ended up losing last night in an unexcusable 46-38 double overtime loss to Virginia on the road. This is a horrible performance from all levels because the Seminoles are now behind the 8-ball in the ACC Championship race.
Let me say that the Seminoles' defense was a contributing factor to this loss. They couldn't get running back J'Mari Taylor off the field, and the Cavaliers did exactly what they wanted to do. However, this presents an opportunity to examine the contest from every angle.
CAZIAH HOLMES
The Seminoles have an emphasis on running the football, with offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn at the helm. Florida State did exactly that against the Cavaliers as they recorded 258 yards and averaged 5.6 yards per rush.
Running backs Gavin Sawchuk, Ousmane Kromah, Caziah Holmes, and Jaylin Lucas were used in the ground game. This seems to be a committee approach with the Seminoles, instead of a featured back situation.
Sawchuk and Kromah ran well against Virginia, where they accumulated a combined 19 carries for 137 yards and one touchdown. However, the veteran Caziah Holmes had two attempts for 32 yards. This isn't to say that the veteran and true freshman should have lessened their attempts to Holmes, though.
There was a moment late in the first quarter where Florida State brought Holmes in the game, and he delivered on two 16-yard rushes, then was taken out of the game. On the next play, Castellanos gets intercepted on a run-pass option deflection.
The second offensive drive was pivotal for Florida State, as running back Gavin Sawchuk fumbled on the first play of the opening drive. I would have liked to have seen Holmes get the touches on the goal line after having the two big runs instead of a risky run-pass option on the goal line with a shorter quarterback.
After the interception, Virginia scored another touchdown to make it 14-0 to put game pressure on the Seminoles. Florida State was playing catch-up the rest of the contest after that. Scoring a touchdown after the adversity of the fumble on the opening drive could have set the tone for the game for the Seminoles.
It isn't a guarantee that Holmes would have scored a touchdown on the drive, but the Seminoles should have ridden with the hot hand instead of trying to get "fancy".