FSU reels off 24 straight points after going down 13-0 vs. North Alabama: Halftime notes, thoughts

To say the least, Florida State’s home finale against North Alabama has not been an ideal matchup for the Seminoles.

With the Seminoles’ offense sputtering in the first quarter, North Alabama took advantage by first reeling off a 64-yard fake punt from its own 23-yard line and finding the end zone then following it up with an 8-play, 80-yard touchdown drive to go up 13-0 — Florida State blocked the extra point.

Then, somehow, it got worse — immediately following the Lions’ scoring drive, quarterback Jordan Travis took off for a 17-yard rush and was brought down by a hip-dip tackle, resulting in a leg injury that saw him carted off the field in his Florida State home finale.

Tate Rodemaker came in and led the Seminoles on their first scoring drive of the night, a field goal from Ryan Fitzgerald but following a forced three and out by the Florida State defense, FSU punted its next drive.

That’s when momentum swung back in Florida State’s favor, as Jared Verse chased North Alabama quarterback Chase Walter into the path of Jarrian Jones, who finished off the job by forcing and recovering a fumble to set up the Seminoles in scoring position. FSU took advantage, with Trey Benson taking it in for Florida State’s first touchdown of the night.

FSU again forced a three-and-out, and this time, capitalized on field position with a 52-yard drive capped off by back-to-back runs from Caziah Holmes — a 13-yarder followed by a 3-yard rush to finish the job, putting the Seminoles in the lead for the first time of the night.

North Alabama, right before half, managed to put together its first successful drive since its second touchdown drive in the first, finding itself on the FSU 34-yard line before Braden Fiske sacked Walters on second down to force a 3rd and 15. Florida State forced a punt with 1:21 left on in the half, starting its final drive of the second quarter from its own 20.

The Seminoles then put together its best drive of the game, going 80 yards in four plays with Lawrance Toafili taking it in a 17-yard rush to put Florida State up 24-13.

Florida State 24, North Alabama 13: Halftime Stats

Total Yards:

North Alabama: 186

Florida State: 229

Pass Yards:

North Alabama: 62

Florida State: 138

Rush Yards:

North Alabama: 124

Florida State: 91

Penalties:

North Alabama: 4-34

Florida State: 3-35

1st Downs:

North Alabama: 10

Florida State: 12

3rd Downs:

North Alabama: 2-8

Florida State: 0-4

4th Downs:

North Alabama: 1-1

Florida State: 0-0

Total Plays:

North Alabama: 37

Florida State: 31

Avg Yds/Play:

North Alabama: 5.0

Florida State: 7.4

Avg Yds/Completion:

North Alabama: 7.8

Florida State: 15.3

Avg Yds/Rush:

North Alabama: 6.2

Florida State: 5.7

Sack-Adj Rush Yd(Avg):

North Alabama: 142 (8.4)

Florida State: 95 (6.3)

Red Zone:

North Alabama: 2-2

Florida State: 4-4

Time of Possession:

North Alabama: 17:09

Florida State: 12:51

Turnovers (Def Pts Off):

North Alabama: 1 (7)

Florida State: 0 (0)

Fumbles-Lost:

North Alabama: 2-1

Florida State: 0-0

Sacks (Def Yds):

North Alabama: 1 (4)

Florida State: 3 (18)

TFL (Def Yds):

North Alabama: 2 (7)

Florida State: 7 (24)

Florida State Seminoles vs. North Alabama Lions: How to watch

Date

Saturday, November 18

Time

6:30 p.m.

Watch

The CW

Listen

Seminoles Radio Network, SiriusXM RADIO FSU Broadcast: CH. 111 or 384