Punt Return/Kickoff Return
FSU punt and kickoff return were question marks going into the season, and continue after the Alabama game. The latter is less so because we’ve seen Sam Singleton show flashes of success in the kick return game.
However, he hesitated on the lone kickoff return attempted, which cost FSU field position. As someone pointed out on social media, it looked like it was an impulsive decision because it might be the only chance he’d have to make a play. I don’t mind him bringing the kick out, but he has to be more decisive. FSU started that possession at its 15-yard line instead of the 25.
The other area was Jaylin Lucas returning punts(or failing to return them). Lucas let two punts hit the ground; one resulted in a loss of about 20 yards, and the other resulted in a turnover. FSU managed to score a field goal on the first one, but had to go 52 yards to make a 45-yard field goal.
If they had better field position to start that drive, that probably could have been a touchdown with how FSU was rolling over Alabama’s defense. The FSU defense forced a turnover on downs on the second one, but FSU lost the opportunity to score on that possession because of the turnover.