The Daily Nole

FSU-Wake Forest: Game Balls

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It was hardly a thing of beauty to watch on Saturday afternoon, but Florida State managed to beat Wake Forest 17-6 to even its ACC record at 2-2 and improve to 5-2 on the year. The Seminoles were particularly impressive for the second straight week on defense while the offense left plenty to be desired.

Still, we recognize the FSU players who stood out in each facet of the game. The Daily Nole staff of editor Mike Ferguson, lead writer Clint Eiland, recruiting analyst Jay Brading and contributors T.J. Pittinger and Robert Blackburn each hand out their game balls:

Offense

Unanimous Game Ball: Travis Rudolph, WR
For Florida State junior wide receiver Travis Rudolph, Saturday was a career-day. Coming into the game, Rudolph had 19 catches for 259 yards on the season, but finished with 13 catches for 238 yards — both career-highs — in the victory over Wake Forest. Rudolph didn’t score, but came close, hauling in a 58-yard Hail Mary right before halftime that ended just short of the goal line.

Defense

Mike, Robert: Josh Sweat, DE
After a slow start to the season, sophomore defensive end Josh Sweat is coming along for Florida State. In Saturday’s win over Wake Forest, Sweat finished second on the team with seven total tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Clint, Jay: Ermon Lane, S
There were a number of defensive players deserving of the game ball, but converted receiver Ermon Lane continues to look like a natural at safety. Lane finished with seven tackles for FSU on Saturday, including an assist on a tackle for loss. Lane has brought toughness to the position and seems to know where to be in pass coverage.

T.J.: Tarvarus McFadden, CB
Another football game, another interception. That was the case on Saturday for sophomore cornerback Tarvarus McFadden, who leads FBS with five picks on the year. McFadden intercepted Wake Forest’s John Wolford early on and returned it 15 yards to set FSU up with good field position. McFadden also had a tackle in the win.

Special Teams

Unanimous Game Ball: Logan Tyler, P
On a day where not much went right for the FSU special teams, Logan Tyler averaged 37.2 yards per punt on five boots with a long of 54 and one downed inside the 20-yard-line. Two of Tyler’s four kickoffs went for touchbacks.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson

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