It was ugly from the start on Saturday as second-ranked Florida State was taken behind the woodshed against 10th-ranked Louisville. The Cardinals scored more points than any team ever against the Seminoles in a 63-20 rout.
Though there were few bright spots on Saturday, The Daily Nole staff recognizes those bright spots as editor Mike Ferguson, lead writer Clint Eiland, recruiting analyst Jay Brading and contributors T.J. Pittinger and Robert Blackburn hand out their game balls.
Offense
Mike, Clint, Jay, T.J.: Jacques Patrick, RB
In a game where the offense sputtered from the get-go, sophomore running back Jacques Patrick led the team with 79 yards from scrimmage, with all of them coming on the ground. Patrick did so on just seven carries, which included a long of 41 yards.
Robert: Auden Tate, WR
Only one Florida State player found the end zone on Saturday and that was sophomore wide receiver Auden Tate, who did so twice. Touchdown catches of 20 and 12 yards accounted for Tate’s only two receptions and FSU’s only two touchdowns. Tate is now tied with Travis Rudolph for the team-lead in touchdown receptions with three.
Defense
Mike: Jacob Pugh, LB
Though he was gashed more than once on the zone-read, junior linebacker Jacob Pugh was the only FSU player to record a sack on Saturday and had both of the Seminoles’ tackles for loss. He was second on the team behind Matthew Thomas with eight total tackles.
Clint, Robert: DeMarcus Walker, DE
On a day where nothing went right, senior defensive end DeMarcus Walker kept working and trying to inspire his team. Walker finished the day with seven total tackles and was one of few FSU players never to lose his composure.
Jay, T.J.: Vacant
Finding a player who deserved a game ball on defense was near impossible. The Seminoles gave up 530 total yards, including 314 on the ground in the largest margin of defeat under head coach Jimbo Fisher.
Special Teams
Mike, T.J.: Logan Tyler, P
His coverage team was abysmal, but FSU freshman punter Logan Tyler continued to boom kicks and when he didn’t, he was aided by nice rolls. Tyler averaged nearly 45 yards per punt on eight punts with a long of 51 yards on Saturday. Three of Tyler’s five kickoffs went for touchbacks.
Clint, Robert: Ricky Aguayo, K
Freshman kicker Ricky Aguayo bounced back from his first miss of the season in the first quarter to finish 2-for-3 on field goal attempts with a new career-long of 47 yards. Aguayo also made both of his PATs.
Jay: Vacant
Special teams was another facet of the game where no game ball was deserved. The Seminoles yielded punt returns of 69 and 61 yards. Even Ricky Aguayo missed a field goal.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
Joe Robbins/Getty Images
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