FSU finally gets second win as Seminoles score over 21 points for first time this season

For the first time this season, Florida State scored over 21 points.

Yes, it was against an opponent that has somehow replicated FSU’s level of incompetence at the FCS level, but with Luke Kromenhoek taking his first ever starting snaps and the Seminoles playing their first game since shaking up in the coaching staff (also known as the firing of defensive coordinator Adam Fuller, wide receivers coach Ron Dugans and offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins), it’s an achievement still worth recognizing in a season that has offered disappointment after disappointment.

The game started the same way as most FSU games this year — despite some early success from the defense, penalties kept Charleston Southern’s initial drive alive. The talent difference helped keep the 30 free yards from scoring points, and after Florida State held just a 3-0 lead through more than 20 minutes of play, the gap eventually paved the way for six straight scoring drives by the Seminoles.

Kromenhoek capitalized on the opportunity, going 13 for 20 (65% completion) for 209 yards and three touchdowns. His deep ball, which had been merely pretty rather than productive in recent weeks, was finally reeled in by a receiver when Ja’Khi Douglas went 71 yards for a score to start the second half — and from then on, the Seminoles could tell playing with a level of confidence and looseness not seen outside of this season’s first drive.

The defense also did what it had to do over an overmatched opponent and shut down Buccaneers rushing offense completely while collecting 6 tackles for loss and holding Charleston Southern to just 2 yards per carry. rush (4.5 per game). Florida State was on the verge of securing its first shutout since 2015, but a 75-yard scoring drive by CSU just before the end of the game kept a spiked baseball out of the hands of interim defensive coordinator Randy Shannon. The Buccaneers tried to buy back a little more pride after slurping a pooch-look onside, hoping to get a shot at a few more points. Charleston Southern managed to drive to the red zone, but the Seminoles held, ending the game 41-7.

The win pushes Florida State to 2-10 (1-8 ACC) on the season with just one game remaining – the annual rivalry game between the Seminoles and the Florida Gators (6-5, 4-4 SEC), set for a 7th or 19:30 kickoff from Tallahassee. The Gators have won two straight over ranked opponents and continue their late-season surge under quarterback DJ Lagway by securing bowl eligibility with an upset over Miss Ole.

FSU has won two straight in the series.

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FSU 41, CSU 7: Final Statistics

Total Yards

Charleston Southern: 275

FSU: 416

Pass Yards

Charleston Southern: 218

FSU: 240

Rush Yards

Charleston Southern: 57th

FSU: 176

Punishment

Charleston Southern: 3-35

FSU: 4-45

1. Downs

Charleston Southern: 18

FSU: 20

3. Downs

Charleston Southern: 4-12

FSU: 6-10

4. Downs

Charleston Southern: 0-1

FSU: 0-0

Total games

Charleston Southern: 61st

FSU: 57

Avg. Yds/Play

Charleston Southern: 4.5

FSU: 7.3

Avg. Delivery/Completion

Charleston Southern: 9.9

FSU: 15.0

Avg. Yds/Rush

Charleston Southern: 2.0

FSU: 5.2

Sack-Adj Rush Yd(Avg.)

Charleston Southern: 57 (2.0)

FSU: 195 (6.3)

Red Zone

Charleston Southern: 1-3

FSU: 6-6

Time of Possession

Charleston Southern: 33:05

FSU: 26:55

Turnover (Def Pts Off)

Charleston Southern: 2 (3)

FSU: 0 (0)

Fumbles-Lost

Charleston Southern: 1-1

FSU: 0-0

Sacks (Def Yds)

Charleston Southern: 3 (19)

FSU: 0 (0)

TFL (Def Yds)

Charleston Southern: 8 (28)

FSU: 6 (19)