TALLAHASSEE, Fl. –Â Florida State’s (2-3, 2-2 ACC) 17-10 victory over Duke (4-3, 1-3 ACC) wasn’t pretty, but the Seminoles got the job done and inched one step closer to bowl eligibility.
Despite the quick start on offense — FSU ran close to seven minutes off the clock on its opening drive — the Seminoles struggled mightily for much of the contest. And Charles Kelly’s defense nearly surrendered another late touchdown, as cornerback Tarvarus McFadden nearly got beat on Duke’s Hail Mary attempt.
McFadden and safety Ermon Lane combined to bat down the pass and keep FSU’s season alive for another week.
“Defensively, we played very well for the most part,” FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher said on Monday.
“Had a big play on defense, too, on the turnover. I thought on the trick play, we got back there, heck of a hustle by (linebacker Emmett) Rice breaking out the sack, we got the ball tipped and up in the air.”
The Seminoles’ much-maligned offense struggled to put up points yet again, mustering only 10 points after finding the end zone on their first drive of the contest — a 20-yard touchdown pass from James Blackman to his favorite target, Auden Tate.
“There’s a few inches. We’ve got to keep fighting for them,” Fisher said. “But the things are there, and we’ve got to do a better job in coaching them and putting them in that position and there. But it’s very close. The efficiencies of running the football, the balance, runs, throws, mixing the ball around; every receiver caught it; backs caught it, tight end caught it, you know, different backs running it.
“You’re starting to see them evolve in that regard. But [we’ve] got to put points on the board.”
With the victory over Duke in the rearview mirror, the Seminoles now turn their attention to 2016 Heisman Trophy recipient Lamar Jackson and Louisville. The Cardinals travel to Doak Campbell Stadium in the midst of a 2-game losing streak. Louisville was upset by Boston College, 45-42, on Saturday.
Fisher was asked if last year’s contest, which Louisville won 63-20, will have any personal effect on preparations this season.
“No. All games — that game’s over with,” Fisher said. “Different team, different place. You know what they’re capable of. You know that guy that has the ball, that guy is the most dynamic player in college football, because when you do everything right, you can’t get him sometimes.
“Let’s line up and play this week, this year, look at the mistakes we made, look at the things we do, see what they do and apply it to our team and play.”
Fisher also had high praise for Jackson, the dual-threat quarterback who torched the Seminole defense to the tune of 362 total yards and five touchdowns just one year ago. Fisher compared the junior to former Virginia Tech great Michael Vick when asked if he had ever coached a player similar to Jackson.
“I’ve had some skill guys that are in that mold, that are that fast, or could be a little faster or twitchy like that. But they don’t touch the ball every play and weren’t able to throw it and make the decisions he does and all that,” Fisher said. “You’d have to say a Michael Vick type guy. I mean he’s like Vick was back in the day.
“Nothing against nobody, he’s just one of those types of special athletes that comes around every so often.”
FSU’s offense is beginning to find its identity in the running game, and at the perfect time. The emergence of freshman running back Cam Akers, who scored his first career touchdown — and the game-winner — on Saturday gives the Seminoles a great compliment to junior Jacques Patrick.
Fisher compared the two players to former Noles, Devonta Freeman and James Wilder, saying that the two enjoy a brotherly relationship on the field.
“You know where that comes from, in my opinion? Devonta Freeman and James Wilder, Karlos Williams, Dalvin Cook,” Fisher said. “You remember when Freeman and Wilder used to run? You’d think they were twin brothers. Those three guys on the side and all those guys, they were all highly-regarded. One of them make a play, they were more excited for the guy than they were for themselves.
“They did that with Dalvin. You know, when Karlos and them were here with Dalvin, he did that for him, and Dalvin did that for Jacques. Understanding, you need two guys; you need three guys.”
Game Details FSU vs. Louisville Time: Noon EST Location: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Fl. TV/Radio: ESPN/XMÂ Radio 193
Josh Mixon covers Florida State athletics for The Daily Nole. You can find him on Twitter @JoshDMixon.
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