Five MAJOR positives from FSU Seminoles victory over California Bears

Winning Mentality

FSU had success early and looked to take full control of the game early in the second quarter. FSU led 7-0 and just had a nice play by Lawrance Toafili to take the ball down to the California two-yard line. It should have been first and goal, but ACC ref called a bogus penalty that backed FSU up to the California 21 and made it 2nd and 18.

FSU threw an interception two plays later, and SMU converted that possession into a field goal. That's a huge swing from potentially 14-0 to 7-3.

However, the FSU defense continued to fight even though the FSU offense had to punt on back-to-back possessions after the interception. The FSU defense forced an interception themselves, only to see the FSU offense waste the opportunity. California went 51 yards in 23 seconds to kick a field goal at the half to trim the lead to 7-6.

California missed a field goal on its opening possession in the third quarter and the FSU offense ran six plays for 12 yards on its first two possessions in the second half.

The FSU defense kept fighting, forcing a punt and holding California to a field goal, giving their offense a chance to make a play. They finally made the eventual game winning play when DJ Uiagalelei hit Ja'Khi Douglas on a perfect throw to make it 14-9.

I'm sure some defensive players have been frustrated by the offense not giving them much room for error. However, credit to both units for continuing to fight and find a way to get the first win of the season.