Florida State Overcomes Sloppy Performance to Defeat Boston College
In a less-than-stellar performance, the Florida State Seminoles narrowly escaped with a win against Boston College on Saturday. Despite benefitting from BC’s penalties and surviving two costly turnovers, the Seminoles managed to secure a 31-29 victory. However, with a much-anticipated matchup against Clemson looming, FSU will need to clean up their game quickly. Coach Mike Norvell acknowledged the team’s lack of execution and expressed confidence in their ability to bounce back.
The Seminoles capitalized on their limited possessions in the first half, scoring a field goal and two touchdowns in just three drives. Their efficient offense allowed them to take a 17-10 lead heading into halftime. Quarterback Jordan Travis proved instrumental in these early successes, connecting with Jaheim Bell and Trey Benson for touchdowns.
One of the game’s turning points came when FSU linebacker DJ Lundy intercepted a pass from BC’s quarterback, Thomas Castellanos, and returned it for a touchdown. Lundy’s exceptional play showcased both his athleticism and the defense’s need for a momentum-shifting play. Earlier in the game, Lundy had also contributed a rushing touchdown, making it a memorable sequence for the often-criticized player.
Unfortunately, FSU’s defense struggled on third and fourth downs throughout the game. Despite a strong track record leading up to the matchup, the Seminoles allowed BC to convert on 8 of 19 third-down attempts and 4 of 5 fourth-down attempts. Castellanos took advantage of the defensive lapses, completing 20 of 33 passes for 305 yards and rushing for 95 yards. Kye Robichaux also had success on third and fourth downs, converting six times for the Eagles.
Several notable performances stood out in FSU’s victory. Despite injuries to Travis, Bell, and Tatum Bethune during the game, the team showed resilience. Bethune led the defense with eight tackles and a tackle for loss. Wide receiver Johnny Wilson rebounded from a disappointing previous game with four catches for 105 yards. Running backs Trey Benson and Rodney Hill contributed essential yards on the ground, and Preston Daniel added a touchdown reception in the second half.
BC’s record-breaking 18 penalties for 132 yards played a significant role in the outcome of the game. The Seminoles took advantage of a facemask penalty in the final moments to secure a first down and run out the clock. FSU’s defense also made its presence known with ten tackles for loss, including standout performances from Kalen DeLoach and Patrick Payton.
Despite the win, BC outgained FSU with 457 yards compared to the Seminoles’ 340 yards. FSU’s struggles on third down (2 of 9) and the costly turnovers by Travis and Benson demonstrated areas for improvement. The squandered scoring opportunity and the gift of a short field to BC were reminders of the importance of ball security.
While the victory may not have been pretty, the Seminoles, now 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the ACC, will need to quickly regroup and address their execution issues before their upcoming showdown with Clemson. The coaching staff remains confident in their team’s ability to learn from this experience and make the necessary improvements. As the season progresses, FSU hopes to transform their “winning ugly” style into a more polished and consistent performance on the field.
